<p>Does the 8.1 have to run on a touch screen machine?</p>
<p>I have no touch screens other than iPhone </p>
<p>^^No it doesn’t,but it was built for a touch environment. Learning the cursor commands is what some have trouble with on a non touch screen. </p>
<p>I would not stay with an xp machine if you work on the internet at all. Given the cost of machines these days, you can get really decent laptops and desktops for a couple of hundred bucks that will blow out the machine running xp probably (unless you did what the OP did, and downgraded from the horror that was Vista). The problem is that operating system holes are not covered by anti virus, and those OS holes can let people bypass anti virus and do other nasty things. There is a major problem right now, to give you an idea, with the SSL protocol (aka secure socket layer) that is used when you go to ‘secured’ sites (usually when checking out on webstores, for example, shows a lock or is an ‘https:’ url), where though it is encrypted, if I understand correctly, can allow a hacker to get into the memory of the server running the service and get data (known as heartbleed bug). </p>
<p>Yeah, an xp level machine will run word or basic apps, and will surf okay (though you try running xp on a high speed connection, you likely will cry…with a faster machine, it is going to be a lot faster). Plus newer machines support 8, 16 gig of memory, which means it will run faster as well if you do anything graphics based, or especially if you do any kind of streaming. </p>
<p>artloverplus,</p>
<p>Have you had any problems activating the Vista partition and loading all service packs/updates? </p>
<p>This is the least costly option which will allow you to use your machine for a few more years. </p>
<p>@artloversplus - Windows 8.1 in desktop mode is not much different than Windows 7. Obviously if you are going from XP to 8.1, then there are a set of incremental differences along the way – but I don’t think it would take that long to get used to it.</p>
<p>If it is at all possible, I would recommend a touch screen for Windows 8.1 for laptop users. You seem to be looking at a possible desktop replacement, and I am not sure why – but of course with a desktop you would be purchasing a monitor separately, if and when you feel you need one.</p>
<p>Again – you don’t need the touchscreen – it is just that with windows 8.1 you are getting that capability in the software-- you might as well get the hardware that can use it. If I didn’t have a touch screen, I think I’d look for a way to disable the “Metro” or tile-based app mode entirely. </p>
<p>For laptop users, I do think it’s worth having the touch screen. I do find myself using the touch screen in desktop mode – it actually helps me navigate online forms a lot faster. But of course with a laptop, the user is typically sitting within very easy reach of the screen. </p>
<p>Yes, cobrat, I have been reading up the commend “diskpart” and need some more time to make sure I did it right. I have Two physical hard disks in the machine and several partitions, I want to be absolutely sure I activated the correct partition otherwise I may not be able to go back.</p>
<p>calmom
Thank for your advise, I cannot stand the small screens of a laptop, especially when I am in my home office. I want the screen big so I can read with ease. Besides my monitor is being used in several other non-computer operations such as watching TV, look at the security cameras etc. </p>