10 or not 10 on older laptops?

[ahhaa]

Now that you guru guys have some hands-on experience with win10, I'm hoping you can say how far back 10 can handle, hardwarewise.

I have an older Acer (5517) laptop that the 'get 10' icon appeared on only recently.
It has an AMD Athlon 64 bit X2 CPU, which I think is dual core, it runs its original Win7 OK if a trifle slow on startup.
Most of the other specs aren't a problem, but as I can't change out cards (like the AMD graphics) on a laptop, I'm wondering if I'll pay a speed penalty for an OS that I've yet to find a reason to want. It's just the free thing, I s'pose..:]

Any particular clues to help make a decision? Acer is no help, they won't even discuss their older hardware.

[usually_quiet]

I would not try upgrading that laptop to Windows 10 unless you are willing to clone the hard drive. Because it is older hardware, there is an increased chance of driver problems. You want to make it as easy as possible to go back to Windows 7 if necessary, and the backup directory created by the installer is only a partial solution.

Also be aware that the installer may uninstall some programs that it believes to be incompatible, and just in case you like using any of them, there several Windows 7 OS features which will not be available after installing Windows 10. https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/3881/here-are-the-features-windows-10-will...en-you-upgrade

[redwudz]

You should be able to roll it back if it doesn't work. MS seems to think if the PC runs W7, it will run W10 with no problems.

I would be concerned with the graphics, audio and wireless drivers.

[usually_quiet]

You should be able to roll it back if it doesn't work.

I have read a number of reports stating that when Windows 10 uninstalls programs or Windows 7 OS features, they aren't restored by simply rolling back using Recovery.

[Keyser]

Is there a specific reason why you would want to upgrade? Because if there isn't, I think being the latest OS isn't a good enough reason. Newest isn't always the best for a given hardware and use.

If your current OS performs well and executes all the tasks you need with good results, why take unnecessary risks installing something that you don't know? What do you expect to gain with the upgrade?

[pandy]

Anyone knows how much it will cost yearly ? (i mean win10 usage/payment model)

[jack616]

I'm amazed anyone would allow another thing from microsoft anywhere near them.
As for spyware 10 - just shocking.

[fritzi93]

Is there a specific reason why you would want to upgrade? Because if there isn't, I think being the latest OS isn't a good enough reason. Newest isn't always the best for a given hardware and use.

If your current OS performs well and executes all the tasks you need with good results, why take unnecessary risks installing something that you don't know? What do you expect to gain with the upgrade?

My thoughts exactly. And apart from a new DirectX for gamers, what's in it for Win7 users?

[racer-x]

It will for sure be slower with Win10 than Win7. Do as suggested and make a HDD/Partition image before you upgrade. Restoring back to Win7 will be much easier then. I have an older Acer laptop 5740-5780 with an i3. It runs much faster with Win7 than Win10. Win10 has a lot more processes running in the background.

[Nelson37]

NO,no, no, no freaking way, no.

Backup everything, image the drive, use a spare drive for the install, do NOT repeat NOT rely on being able to recover from the Win 10 install at all.

It doesn't suck as bad as 8, but 7 is IMO much better, and ESPECIALLY on older hardware. MORE ESPECIALLY on laptops in general, Older Laptop, forget it.

[ahhaa]

Thanks guys, you've pretty much confirmed my own impressions. Forgot to mention it's already dual boot with Ubuntu, tho I am liking Mint better.
I'm into productivity with certain software like Audacity or LibreOffice, and really don't want to continually fuss with an OS just because it's got new icons or can see into my phone. Recent Windows versions are kinda like having bookshelves that are always falling down and ruining some of your books.

btw, I see a lot of the usual suspects are here- so Merry Christmas everyone!

[sophisticles]

Thanks guys, you've pretty much confirmed my own impressions. Forgot to mention it's already dual boot with Ubuntu, tho I am liking Mint better.

I was actually going to suggest a nice Linux distro, if you're feeling like you may want a change how about throwing PC-BSD on that laptop or one of the lighter, leaner Linux offerings.

As far as hardware compatibility, I would think that Win 10 would offer superior hardware support than Win 7, in my experience every newer version of Windows supported older hardware better than the version it replaced but for support of older hardware you can't beat the Linux kernel.

[darkknight145]

I tried Win10 on my Acer 1410, Couldn't find drivers for some of the peripheral hardware, and was sluggish........... went back to Windows 7 Pro (original OS)

[pandy]

btw, I see a lot of the usual suspects are here- so Merry Christmas everyone!

Thx and same - Merry Christmas!