Windows 10 is scheduled to be released later in 2015. I am assuming a Q4 release date to be safe for my planning purposes, and so should you. If it comes out sooner, great.
Here is why it matters to you
If you are planning on purchasing a PC/laptop in the next 24 months (including this year), it matters. Windows 10 is a free upgrade if you have Windows 8.1, so you could buy a PC/laptop this year and get the free upgrade. Unfortunately, that means you have to go through the upgrade process and while I am sure they will simplify it, I wouldn’t put yourself through an upgrade unless you have a strong tech support person to help you. If you can’t wait until Q4, go ahead and purchase what you want today and be sure to secure the Windows 10 upgrade in the first year after it is released (it is only free the first year).
If your PC is not a productivity problem, I would wait. Windows 8 takes some getting used to. More importantly, upgrades are always more challenging than people realize. But if your computer is really slow, don’t hurt your productivity for the sake of waiting for Windows 10.
Windows 10
- Improves the user experience
- Faster than Windows 7
- Cortana, your virtual assistant (think Siri)
- Touchscreen support (it’s worth it, your next laptop should be touch screen, see below)
When it doesn’t matter
If you just bought a PC in the last year or even last two years, you should be fine and wait another year. A good laptop or PC should last most users four-to-six years before a new PC is required. Even if you are on Windows 7, there is no need to rush out and buy a Windows 10 machine. Windows 7 will be supported for a long time.
My favorite question: “What computer should I buy?”
That’s like saying “what promotional product will work for my event” and not sharing any more details and randomly picking an item without knowledge of budget, audience, or event type. However, at the risk of answering the question incorrectly, I LOVE my Lenovo Yoga Pro because of its touchscreen, tablet use, laptop use, durability and reliability. Any name brand laptop/PC is fine if you don’t want to go with the Lenovo Yoga.
Here are the things that you need to pay attention to when you buy your PC:
- Ensure it has at least 8 GB of RAM (memory)
- Ensure it has a SSD (Solid State Drive). This is usually a special request, but it is worth every penny. 120 MB is fine for SSD and if you need more space, you can have a larger traditional hard drive either externally or internally.
- Ensure it is a name brand with support (Lenovo and Dell both have good support relative to overall support)
- At least 1 GB Video card memory.
Beyond those four things, it really doesn’t matter what computer you get. Whatever you do, do not skip the SSD drive. An SSD drive improves your overall experience by 100 percent. In fact, putting an SSD drive in an old machine makes it faster than any new machine you can buy today with a standard hard drive.
But don’t bother going through the hassle of installing a SSD at this point in an old machine, just buy your next machine with it pre-installed. Remember, upgrades are a pain.
For corporate environments, it’s a smart move to wait until Windows 10 is released and begin your upgrades at that time. That is my plan for Geiger.
Geiger CIO Dale Denham, MAS+ provides practical insights on how you can benefit from technology in no nonsense terms. Follow him on Twitter @GeigerCIO.
