Consider your needs and system compatibility before deciding.
Consider your needs and system compatibility before deciding.
You've been using the 7 since morning and your friend got a free 8.1 Key from a PC they bought. It's worth considering whether it's time to upgrade. Think about what you need and whether the new option offers better value.
You're welcome to test it, but keep in mind: be prepared for possible disappointment. I favor Windows 8, having one laptop running Win8.1 Pro and another desktop with the same version, though I sometimes get really frustrated—especially with wireless connections.
It's been shown to generally boost performance and improve speed, reduce memory usage, lower hard drive strain during a fresh setup, and is more efficient overall. Metro isn't suitable for everyone, and the metro applications can feel quite limited on a standard desktop computer. However, as Lord Gaben mentioned, adding a third-party Start Menu—like the classic shell (http://www.classicshell.net/)—can help you adapt and enjoy the performance gains. Several games have demonstrated higher frame rates on an 8-core system compared to 7 cores.
Windows 7 works well... Avoid upgrading to 8.1 unless you're using Battlefield 4, as many users (including me) notice better frame rates on Windows 8.1. I was taken aback by that.
I faced the same situation as you. I prefer Windows 7 and didn’t want to switch. Today I moved to Windows 8.1 Pro mainly because the key was only $29 on G2A. I’ve really liked it so far, especially with Startisback; otherwise I’d still stick with Windows 7. It’s a pleasant upgrade and most of the things are running smoother. Feel free to try switching on over or set up a virtual machine to test it out!