Windows 8: Microsoft lifecycle

The end of extended support for Win XP led to my replacing two systems. I bought a laptop that shipped with Win 8.1. I subsequently bought a desktop that shipped with Win 8. It was advertised as upgradable to Win 8.1. My upgrade was problematic, leading me to contact both vendor and manufacturer about the lack of 8.1 compliant drivers for the Broadcom wireless network adapter.

After several weeks, the vendor has accepted my complaint and offered a full refund. However, my Win 8 system is a great PC to work on and I�m one of the few that like the OS�.I prefer the vanilla version to 8.1. What to do?

Thinking back to 2000-01 when I returned two Win 98SE systems and one Win ME to a local branch of Dixons only to buy two dud Win 2000 computers from elsewhere I�m not eager to part with a generally pleasing PC. My major concern is the lifecycle of Windows 8 since the 8.1 upgrade.

According to Microsoft, Service Pack support for Window 8 expires on 12 Jan 2016:

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/defaul...

What exactly does this mean? Will security patches for Win 8 cease in Jan 2016 as they did for Win XP last month?

Can't you use another wireless adapter with compliant drivers?

You mean, remove the Broadcom adapter and install a different one with Win 8.1 compliant drivers? It�s an expensive fix for a PC I only bought a few weeks ago! I'd have to pay a local techie. On the other hand it�s a possibility if I keep the PC and either download Win 8.1 or upgrade to Win 9 in the future.

There are tiny USB wifi adapters available, although I seriously doubt that compliant Broadcom drivers aren't available direct from Broadcom. AFAIK, Win 8 will be discontinued shortly just like Win XP, so Win 8.1 is where you should be.

Edited by deleted (Sat 17-May-14 12:12:23)

In reply to a post by ARD:

According to Microsoft, Service Pack support for Window 8 expires on 12 Jan 2016:

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/search/defaul...

What exactly does this mean? Will security patches for Win 8 cease in Jan 2016 as they did for Win XP last month?

The product falls under the same lifecycle policy as Windows 8 with support ending 1/10/2023. However, customers have 24 months to move to Windows 8.1 after General Availability in order to remain supported. See the Windows 8.1 FAQ for more information.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/lifecycle

(What is the difference between mainstream support and extended support?)

Well, I spent a week searching for a compliant before contacting vendor and manufacturer. A quick Google shows other users have endured the same problem. The manufacturer could have directed me towards a driver�but didn�t! There�s certainly nothing available from the website.

I�m tempted to have another go but I�ve other things to do that demand the use of a PC. I�ve been offered a refund or exchange for a Win 8.1 system of similar spec from a different manufacturer. Which of these would you go for?

http://www.johnlewis.com/lenovo-c560-all-in-one-desk...
http://www.johnlewis.com/search/a530?_requestid=1516...

The cheaper model has a dedicated graphics card but it is so much cheaper that I wonder what I�d be losing.

EDIT: I see the cheaper system is a SSD model, which is slightly surprising for the price, though it has fewer touch points.

Edited by ARD (Sat 17-May-14 16:39:19)

Thanks. Anyway, support for Windows 8 (vanilla) ends on 12 Jan 2016...as I understand it. Take a look at the alternative systems I've been offered if you have time:

http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/windows/t/4329800-r...

Edited by ARD (Sat 17-May-14 16:18:03)

Just to get this right you have been offered either of these:

http://www.johnlewis.com/lenovo-c560-all-in-one-desk...

http://www.johnlewis.com/lenovo-ideacentre-a530-all-...

?

Spec wise the cheaper one is quite a bit better as far as I can see but the more expensive one looks a lot nicer, and looks like it can fold down to be used more touch-wise, I bet the screen is better quality on both display and touch.

I'd probably default to the latter, more expensive, one.

Good morning!

Yes! JL has given me the choice of those two systems�or a full refund. Frankly, I don�t have time for a refund. Furthermore, JL have handled a difficult problem well, accepting my findings rather than the word of a manufacturer.

I�ve spent most of the last 24 hours looking for reviews of the two systems, though there�s nothing that looks at the exact specs available from JL. It�s a mixed bag:

� A530 http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B00HT15NX2/r...

� C560 http://vortexeffect.net/2014/03/19/lenovo-ideacentre...

� C560 http://www.digitaltrends.com/desktop-computer-review...

For the most part, I�d opt for performance over prettiness. As we agree from the JL links, the C60 is highly spec, surprising high for a relatively low-cost PC. However, reviews and the stated weight of 8 kilos do give the impression of a cheap, flimsy build.

There is another factor. The reason for the refund offer is the want of a Win 8.1 compliant wireless network adapter driver from Broadcom. I would not have bought the Win 8 system had the product page not clearly stated it was fully upgradable. I wish I could avoid the Broadcom/8.1 configuration even with the OS preinstalled.

Lenova UK suggest that the A530 ships with the Broadcom card:
http://shop.lenovo.com/gb/en/desktops/lenovo/a-serie...

But looking at the support website available drivers hint it�s Reatek, which would be pleasing:

http://mobilesupport.lenovo.com/gb/en/products/deskt...

Lenova�s C560 page is way out of date spec-wise but suggests it is or was an Atheros adapter:

http://shop.lenovo.com/gb/en/desktops/lenovo/c-serie...

But the support page hints it could be Broadcom, Realtek, or Atheros:
http://mobilesupport.lenovo.com/gb/en/products/deskt...

Am I being paranoid about Broadcom?

Decisions, decisions� and I can�t spend too much time mulling over this one.

Edited by ARD (Sun 18-May-14 14:00:45)

Just to add to the mix, something in line with the amazon link spec:

http://www.dell.com/uk/p/inspiron-2350-aio/pd?oc=cd2...

(dedicated gfx, instead of integrated)

If this were 4-6 weeks ago I�d seriously consider opting for the refund and scouting around further than Lenova. The processor on that system is impressive for the price. But I�m not sure I�d opt for Dell these days. I�ve had- or been responsible for-- several Dell systems from Win 3.1 to XP. After Win 95 my experience of support and call-out engineers was not particularly happy. That said, I paid more for my Dell Win 95 desktop than for most systems available today so I suppose we�re getting what we pay for. Think I'm going to go for the C560.

Yes, it's a better price for sure and there doesn't appear to be any big drawback. The SSD is a serious advantage.

What was the PC with the driver problem?

It's an HP.

Edited by ARD (Sun 18-May-14 14:02:29)

That doesn't really narrow it down

Personslly I would forget the price and pick it on the specs

It's always tempting to go for the higher price one, feeling it must be better, but it isn't aways the case. (excuse the pun)

FAQ number 3 here shows the difference between the Mainstream and Extended support models. For the most part it makes no difference to consumers whatsoever as the things lost are primarily for businesses.

I�m definitely going for the cheaper system, David. The spec is too good to miss.

Good pun