I have been using Windows XP, trade with Ninja Trader and the combination with XP have never given me serious trouble, and I have been very pleased with its performance. However, now that Microsoft ends its support for this operating system, I am questioning with which one to follow. Windows 7, Windows 8.1 or, patiently wait for Windows 9 whenever it appears on the market.
If you have experience with these systems, would you please share comments or suggestions?
Thank you for your input.
Buscador
I use windows 8 without problems. Just google for tweaks, you can take of all the crap that is for couch screens and there are apps that you can use so you have a windows 7 look a like. works perfect for me.
Thanks cejstrup, I did the same, staying with XP through all the new versions. Big Mike also recomends Windows 7 and I think, after all the other information I dug out, that I will also go the Wndows 7 route.
two years ago I switched straight from XP to Windows 7 and have not regretted doing it. The transition was smooth as the handling is not too different. Which I can't say for Windows 8, even with some shell extension that bring back some of the "old" Windows feelings I still find it quite different. And as Mike has pointed out the benefits with Windows 8 really do play out when you have a touchscreen.
Looks like they are finally looking past trying to make one UI to rule them all for tablet/laptop/desktop. In the update scheduled for April 8, Windows 8.1 will differentiate between tablet and laptop/desktop going straight to desktop mode skipping the Start UI on a pc and laptop. There are other changes to make Windows 8.1 more mouse friendly.
Since I am not into Touch Screen stuff, I wonder if that technology is at all helpful for trading, particularly intraday, where speed and accuracy are paramount. Still I think other than a strong processor a responsive and accurate mouse is the best control for manual trading, particularly for chart order placing. Other opinions?
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Absolutely not. While software can be made that is touchscreen friendly, most platforms (and apps in general) are not designed for this and not ready for this any time soon.
I bought my last one after Vista came out but installed XP instead which I trusted. I did not feel the need to switch until now that MS is stopping its support.
At the moment, MSFT is offering $100 off on a lot of PC's when you upgrade from Windows XP.
You MUST go to the link from your XP machine and the prices will show the $100 discount.
I'm considering the Surface Pro 2 and ran across this link.
I seldom use my XP machine but I thought this was a neat way to get and extra discount.
I wish I had seen it earlier, last week they were also offering a free touch keyboard cover.
I like windows 7
- more aesthetically pleasing which isn't very resource intensive on newer computers
- can search programs / files on your start menu
- all around more options and cross compatibility
- the number 7
cons
- maybe it's just me but I don't like ctrl alt delete bringing up that blue screen with options when I want an instant task manager
- some of the visual effects are unnecessary but they can easily be turned off
I haven't heard good things about 8 from anyone who uses a desktop. Maybe it's just me but I feel like windows 8 is just overkill because there's not much more you can do to 7 to make it better.
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I have Windows 7 on both desktops and my wife's desktop . . never had a problem with any of them. OS is rock solid. I recently bought a Toshiba laptop with i7 chip last fall that had Windows 8 installed. A few days ago I decided to update it to Windows 8.1. I immediately started having connection problems with continuous disconnects. I then looked on the internet for a fix and found numerous complaints from other users with the exact same problem. These were dated from last fall and have continued. One would think that Microsoft would have fixed the 8.1 upgrade by now with all these problems. Nope! Luckily, Toshiba had a restore to factory default which took about three hours. I'm now back to Windows 8 and laptop is running fine again . . but I'd still prefer Windows 7 on it. Avoid the Windows 8.1 . .
Well guys, Thank you very much for all you input. After much consideration and analysis of your valued commentaries, I have decided that the winner of this contest is....(drum roll)... Windows 7 64 bit !!!!
I will keep it at least until MS comes out with Windows 97.
Thank you all, again. Is this forum great, or what?
Well, as every thing now is cleared here from the tech pros, here some last thoughts to consider:
What is type of RAM in your old system. DDR1 or DDR3? If DDR3 and = or > 2 GB then you can install W7 or W8.1 even of old configuration.
If DDR1, then, if your system can handle 2 GB of RAM then you can install W7. The older system like P!V, has DDR1 type of RAM and mostly 512 GB or the max 1GB, which is not sufficient to run W7 atleast 2GB RAM is required for smooth working. If interested in converting it, just contact a computer technician, though the availability of new DDR1 RAM of 1 GB is not good.
And as the above is may not enough, here some more information about any possibility you have
Thanks Stan Dan. This is all for a new computer with 12 GB Ram so memory it will not be an issue. Also, a new high end CPU I did not want to be messed with by a quirky OS
The following user says Thank You to Buscador for this post:
Hope this is in the right thread. Recently I upgraded my operating system on my trading desktop from Windows XP to Windows 7. The problem I've noticed, there is no color difference on NT's lighter "System" colors. For example, the colors ControlLight, InactiveBorder, Scrollbar, MenuBar,etc., are all the same color which is RGB 212,208,200. I didn't experience this problem using Windows XP. I've attached screenshots of Windows 7 color management defaults that I'm currently using.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Rick
"If you're going to panic during a trade............. panic early."
Have you asked NT support? I am using Windows 8 so can't check the Win 7 settings but it seems like you are running on a basic color mode, no Aero. Can you run Aero? Is there more contrast or different colors when running it in Aero mode? If so then the NT color scheme on the Windows basic color scheme is what you are seeing; NT support could probably help or answer this issue.
, this helps.
