Windows Upgrade Question

[PSPreal]

My laptop hard drive recently crashed so I'll be installing a new one this week. My question is regarding Windows. I've been running Vista but I figure that if I'm going to upgrade, now is as good a time as any. Is it worth upgrading? The way I see it, my options are:

- Keep Vista
- Upgrade to Windows 7
- Upgrade to Windows 8

Also, is it better to buy the full version of the newer Windows and do a clean install or is it better to reinstall Vista and then upgrade from there? I'm assuming the price will be cheaper for the upgrade version but I would pay more if the full version is more efficient than the upgrade.

LAPTOP:
Dell 1530 XPS
Intel Core 2 Duo Processor T9300 (2.5 GHz, 6 MB cache)
3 Gig RAM

 

[BK_123]

I would upgrade to Windows 7 or Windows 8, it's entirely up to you what you decide to do..

 

[OhSnapWord]

Unless the laptop has a touch screen, I would go with Windows 7.

 

[PSPreal]

Yeah that's what I heard about Windows 8 but is it really true?
It's not a touch screen.

 

[Boss]

I would say windows 8, but windows 7 is fine too.

 

[BK_123]

Yeah that's what I heard about Windows 8 but is it really true?
It's not a touch screen.

Yes Windows 8 is more for computers/laptops with touch screens and is a more of a tablet OS..

 

[strollin]

Yes Windows 8 is more for computers/laptops with touch screens and is a more of a tablet OS..

I keep seeing this repeated everywhere but I've tried using Win 8 with a touchscreen and personally find it much harder to use than with a mouse/keyboard. Also, it's a PITA to move back and forth from the keyboard to the screen and back again.

@OP - You can buy the upgrade version of either Win 7 or Win 8 and do a clean install, there is no reason to re-install Vista first then upgrade from there.

 

[jmacavali]

Clean install of Windows 7.

 

[BK_123]

Yes as it is a new HDD you will have to do a clean install as there will no OS on there..

 

[ashpash21]

If I was you I would choose Windows 7 as you don't have a touchscreen, and I would recommend doing a clean install after formatting the drive.