As it's getting near the end of the cheap Win 8 upgrade offer should I upgrade? The add-ons I use are listed in usual place.

Windows 8 doesn't have any performance benefit over 7 so unless you really like its new interface I would say no.

I have a personal rule for upgrades. I never upgrade anything unless I'm forced to or there's a compelling reason.

 

For exaple, I switched from DOS to OS/2 because i used it at work and knew its benefits. I switched from OS/2 to Win 98 because OS/2 ceased development. Windows ME came with a new computer, and I had fewer problems with it than I had with XP at first (another new computer) because of a Starforce infestation. I refused to buy a new computer until Vista had been replaced with Win 7. As for price, I wouldn't change to Win 8 even if they paid me the difference in price.

 

I will not upgrade a graphics driver unless there's an obvious performance improvement or it fixes a known problem. You only have to get burned once by having the newest version break a game and having to roll back to make you shy away from the shiny new upgrades.

 

When I installed FSX SP2 after running SP1 for years, it broke more than it fixed... but I had to in order to use any addons. I'll update any payware aircraft I have because the fixes are assumed to be good. I may or may not update any other games, because the fixes often mess up some feature I really like. Updates for The Sims 3 included features that I had specifically avoided by refusing to buy new expansion packs that included them.

 

Your mileage may vary.

 

Hook

Good point, although Microsoft are kinda forcing me to upgrade because of the huge increase in price after this offer ends at the month.

I have a personal rule for upgrades. I never upgrade anything unless I'm forced to or there's a compelling reason.

Your mileage may vary.

Hook

 

I, on the other hand, have upgraded the two desktops and one laptop in my house without a second thought.

All of them had OEM OSs and now all have the full product, Windows 8 pro.

This has cost me a grand total of £74.97, less than the cost of any one of the three OS I have replaced.

 

You have, I believe, a second choice, purchase and download your copy of Windows 8 but do not necessarily

install it yet.

I have seen nothing to suggest that if it not installed by the end of January, it won't work.

 

I have had a couple of minor glitches with FSX, all now resolved and I find that otherwise it is a faster version of Windows 7.

Judging by the number of Windows updates coming in, I'm guessing that MS are working hard to make it better.

I also have the advantage of being able to make an informed comment, having embraced, rather than ignored it.

 

Although I am now turned 60 years of age, I welcome change, mainly because it is inevitable anyway and rejoice in the fact

that I no longer need to etch symbols into a stone tablet and have it delivered by dinosaur to communicate with you.

Although I am now turned 60 years of age, I welcome change,

 

I'm 63, but I've followed those rules for many years.

 

I guess it was 30 years ago when I first learned why they call it "cutting edge" technology. The scars have mostly faded, but the memories remain. That doesn't mean I don't jump at new stuff occasionally, like OS/2. I've just had really mixed results from upgrades.

 

Hook

I just did a clean install of Win 8. I am now using a SSD for both Win 8 and FSX, as well as now installing FSX Gold (with Acceleration) instead of SP2 before. I'm not sure how much of a change to expect from the SSD and Acceleration, but for a similarly configured FSX I am getting much better performance, much smoother graphics.

 

I'm also 61....

 

Thanks, Bruce.