Windows 7 Pro or Windows 8.1 Pro?

You should go with Windows 8, simply because it's faster, it will get DirectX 12 and you will get a free upgrade to Windows 10.

Windows 8.1, for sure.

I really like 8.1 although I find a few things a bit unintuitive and it takes some getting used to as its much different than 7 at first glance, but theres also some improvements over 7. The absolute hate some have for 8.1 is a bit OTT, but I do understand regular 8 hate. The fact that any app that works on a Windows Phone works on a PC with it running is a big plus as well i.e. AC Unity has a mobile app that unlocks shit in the game, but I can just use it on my PC. The free upgrade to 10 should be your push over the cliff IMO.

With the usage you're planning, 8 wont be much different from 7.

Windows 8.1
I still don't understand those opinions like "Win 8.1 sucks, metro sucks...blah, blah". Yeah, there were some issues with drivers but most of them were the case of windows 8. The system is pretty stable and I love my metro with small shortcuts, which I am using instead of desktop. Also it's much faster, DX 12 etc..

Go with Windows 8. It isn't as bad as the internet says, as long as you allow yourself to learn how to use it. :D

Windows 8.1. There will be no DX12 for Windows 7.

wait for windows 10

Everyone saying Windows 8(.1) because of the 'free' upgrade to Windows 10 next year. But please keep in mind that...

• Windows 10 will need a subscription for updates
• Windows 10 will drop a lot of extra overhead on your PC performance for compatibility with other devices that can run Windows 10.
• DX12 sounds cool, but remember how long it took for DX10 to be accepted (not at all) and before DX11 got widely accepted and used (+-3 years)
• Windows 8 (and up) is far less user friendly than Windows 7 (and older)

IMO if you can get a copy of Windows 7 for the same price of Windows 8(.1), I'd say grab a copy of Windows 7. Though MS will start the end-of-life procedure coming January, it'll take a couple of years before Windows 7 won't get any updates any more (took 5 years for XP). By that time you need a new PC anyway and might (re)consider Windows 10...

Personally I stick with Windows 7, though I could use Windows 8(.1) because I'm an app developer. But I hate the way Windows 8(.1) works and the MS app store is not really worth it, I've decided to skip it. By the time Windows 7 will no longer get any updates any more (in 3-5 years from now), I'll most likely hop to Linux anyway...

I use and love windows 8.1 due to its fast booting and game efficiency.

There are people I hear who hate the windows 8/8.1 interface, but the UI is honestly not that bad; and even then, that can always be solved by installing classic shell, gaining benefits of both 8/8.1's speed and 7's UI.

I had to reinstall Windows on my laptop and decided to go with 8.1. It performs better and boots faster, and the UI is not as bad as they say. You can customize it to your needs or you can simply click on the Desktop tile and Forget it exists.
Also, you can just set it to go directly to desktop on boot.

I just reinstalled Windows 7 after 1 year of 8.1. I just had too many issues.

Windows XP hue hue

Windows 7 would be my choice. I can't live without start menu, and I don't want to fiddle with things to get one in my OS. Other than that, I hate it's UI. I think I will skip Windows 8/8.1.

windows 8.1....simply faster, smoother.....these annoyings of 8.0 the first year are sorted out, the very few applications I have difficulties with in windows 8 and need some compatibility tricks..are the same as on windows 7.
The taskmenu-issue is no issue...i even had one with 8.0....with a 4 minute tweak.....

edit: but this is for new pcs, like your one....with older ones and not suitable drivers, people should stick with win 7

IMHO, even with bugs and little glitches, Windows 10 Technical Preview is good enough now, and get the copy when it came out.

8.1

I would go with Windows 7.

Windows 7 is good, but I think you should go with Windows 8.1 Pro because it also has downgrade rights, if you know how to do that of course.
You can buy Windows 8.1 Pro and use the license to install Windows 7 Pro in your PC, then when you're bored with Windows 7 you can switch back to Windows 8.1.

If you get 8.1 you should set it up to boot to the desktop and get the program "Classic Start Menu" then it is like 7 but faster!

i'm gonna choose 8.1
i dont care about free upgrade to W10. i never updating system that fast, i'll gonna wait until few months maybe almost a year to upgrade :D
why 8.1? because i like how metro works. simple and fast for my laptop.

8.1, as its better, imho, and it will get you used to the next version, being Win10

I honestly hate the 8 interface in general from my short experience with it, but seeing as it'll be supported for longer, I'd recommend getting it. Windows 7 is the last strict "desktop" OS, but support ends first.

Used both, ended on 7.

If you've got good drivers, then use Windows 8.1, otherwise, if you're stuck with a shitty lenovo laptop like me, stick to Windows 7 for better driver compatibility (My drivers suck as I can't regulate how the fan should work on Windows 8.1 and my laptop would keep overheating and shutting down which was a no-go for gaming)