Computer upgrade Questions for the Gurus!

[Gavin Allan]

I am thinking I need to upgrade my two home PCs from XP to Windows 7, and upgrade Office 2000 professional to 2010 version. However, this is kind of confusing as to what I should do, and what is best for me. Any advice appreicated.



DuoCore 3GHz, 4GB RAM



32 or 64bit? Which one do I get? (Windoze 7 upgrade advisor says all is good for either 32 or 64bit.)



Office Home and Student- what do I use for E-mail if Outlook is no longer included?

 

[MikeSondra Grossen]

Not a guru in the least, but I love my Windows 7 (still have a XP on second computer) with 64bit~

And I still use Outlook for my email. I am also getting frustrated with the older model, good luck.

Sondra

 

[TomT]

The big advantage of 64 bit is you can add more memory. Your limited to 4 GB in 32 bit Windows. Even though it may be a waste on an older DuoCore processor you might upgrade later and wish you had the 64 bit. I've been running 64 bit Windows 7 for over a year now with 8 GB of memory and love it.

 

[Jacob Dryer]

Why do you "NEED" to upgrade? Don't get me wrong I like windows 7 better than xp, just curious.



But the other questions.. 64 bit since it supports it. (negligibly faster most likely never notice the difference, but some other programs also take advantage of it.)



If you don't get an office suite with outlook you can use windows live mail (free) which is like the old outlook express and just a very basic mail program. Or you could use Thunderbird which is Mozilla's mail program (same people who make Firefox)

 

[Gavin Allan]

Does Windows 7 come with Live Mail?



Having troubles interfacing documents with others. Yeah, the converter add-on pretty much takes care of it. However, it is sometimes a pain working on Word 2010 at work and having to drop back to 2000 at home.



Good point about the upgradeabily for the processor. Right now I am doing fine with the Pentium D, but at somepoint I'll probably want to upgrade. I figure I got a few more years left with my present setups.

 

[TrainTrac]

Does Windows 7 come with Live Mail?

You can download Live Mail for free at <A HREF="http://explore.live.com/windows-live-mail?os=other">http://explore.live.com/windows-live-mail?os=other</A>

 

[Gavin Allan]

Thanks!

 

[Richard McAlister]

Main difference between MS 32 bit and 64 bit: 32 bit will support up to 4 gb RAM, 64 bit will support memory larger than 4 gb.

nline:

 

[Don Pertz]

Don't buy MS Office..Its a waste of money. Download and install the newest version of OpenOffice at Openoffice.org. It does everything MS does and is compatible with all MS Office files, and its free. It also has many Template packages that are downloadable, and also FREE.

 

[Richard L]

If you don't need Windows-7, then XP will do just fine until MS stops supporting it. So if XP serves you well there is not real reason to change. Windows-7 is better, but only if you need the extra features.



The same kind of applies to Office. About a year ago I switched from Office 2003 to Office 2007 because it was required by our corporate offices. The only thing different are the menus and top banner. It was a complete relearning of where they put everything that I used to have memorized on Office 2003, and 2007 does not work any better. Unless there is something in Office 2010 or MS stops support of Office 2000 (and that may be soon, if not already) then I would upgrade to the latest version.



...Rich

 

[Gavin Allan]

MS stopped supporting Office 2000 about two years ago.

 

[Richard L]

Gavin,

I have not had Office 2000 in about 7 years and have not worked anywhere that was still on Office 2000, that's why I said MS would stop or has already stopped supporting it.



My point is that you probably should upgrade to the latest version if your old version is not supported by MS.



MS has already tried to stop supporting XP on OEM computers like Dell, but public demand forced them to extend the support for at least another year and now that year has expired and you can no longer order a new Dell computer with the XP operating system. That does not apply to refurbished computers or computers that dell sells through their online discount store.



If you decide to upgrade the operating system definitly to with Windows-7 rather than Vista (Yuk!).



...Rich

 

[Gavin Allan]

Read first post- that is what I want to do- upgrade XP and Office 2000 to Windoze 7 and Office 2010. I already have the disks.



I figure I need to back everything up. Not sure what the best/easiest option is for me.



Yes, MS stopped supporting Office 2000 about 2-3 years ago. I have trouble using 2000 with work documents (2007). That is why I want to upgrade. Like I said, I already bought the new software, so it will happen! Going with the 64-bit versions since I already have 4GB RAM.



Thanls.

 

[Roger Batts]

The 64bit is supposed to be more stable than the 32bit version, too. Both my desktop and laptop run it. I have Home Premium on my desktop and Ultimate on my laptop. One thing I really like is the new Microsoft Live features that they've added to Vista and 7, especially the Live Mesh remote feature.

 

[Gavin Allan]

Live Mesh looks cool- I'll have to check it out!



Thanks for the continuing advice!