I need input to decide what OS to replace Windows 10

[Outlaw Gambler]

Pretty much certain I am done with Windows. My computers are both too old to upload Win 11.

1. My 1st task is to determine which 1 computer will replace 2 computers that will store all of my information that is different on both, ie personal info and business info, onto one computer and allow wireless access from 2 locations. The router sets on top of one computer and the second one is about 15 yards away. Each location has its own printer.

2. If I go with one OS Is the best choice Mac or Chrome?

3. I believe Linex is in play to some extent, any feedback is appreciated. Regardless, a new computer will be purchased.

My must have programs that are currently used are:

Office 365

Quickbooks

G Mail 

Woo commerce

My Web Site

If this information is easier to discuss, please send me a pm and I will give you my phone number.

I appreciate any input you can share.

OG

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

Can't help you on an OS but I will say that I didn't want Windows 10, I liked 7 too much.  But then I had to get 10 after my Windows 7 laptop died.  Finally got used to 10.  I didn't want to go to 11, but one day my laptop upgraded to 11 when I thought it was just doing a normal update.  And so far, I can't tell the difference between 10 and 11, so I'm okay with it and wouldn't mind getting another with 11 if I needed it.

 

The main thing was that the new laptop is my first with SSD (solid state drive) and I love it!  Way faster than the hard drive and I expect more reliable in the long run.  I don't even know if any computers are still made with hard drive but if they are, don't get one!

[Texas Joker]

Why change from windows 10? It just won't get updates anymore.  I still have 2 old laptops running XP. 

 

Just cause end of support occurs doesn't mean you have to scrap em.

[Stump Water]

I figured MS would cave in on the $30 option to continue security updates on Win10.  Looks like they did.

 

 

[Outlaw Gambler]

One reason is that on 10/15/25 one of my computers was compromised. I need to take it in find out how bad it is. I remember Jethro from NICS rules, no such thing as a coincidence. Microsoft ended support for 10 on the 14th and on the 15th BANG.

Thanks for the info.

[Sedalia Dave]

Your OS upgrade options are dictated by the software you require. Take each software program you can't live without and see what OS options are available. 

 

Some software will only run on windows, some only MAC, some only Linux, and some will run more than one.

 

If you don't like the answer then search for alternative software.

[John Kloehr]

1 hour ago, Sedalia Dave said:

Your OS upgrade options are dictated by the software you require. Take each software program you can't live without and see what OS options are available. 

Very much this. And while sometimes virtual machines will work, for instance under Linux, device drivers and possible additional maintenance headaches plus having the underlying OS and VM to maintain requires a solid "business" case.

 

I found it best to identify the software, identify the OS requirements, identify the underlying hardware requirements, and buy it.

 

When I had options (back when I did this stuff for other people), I would find a developer for the software and ask which OS platform they recommended (and why). Then buy that and the hardware they recommended.

 

I do currently run MS Office on a Mac but if I was still consulting, I would have it on a good Dell laptop running current Windows with plenty of CPU and memory. Back then, my CPA specified QuickBooks, and since this was accounting of the corporate (family) jewels, it was on a separate machine at the office. With 2 regular backups, one local and one offsite.

[J-BAR #18287]

I bought a refurbished Mac Airbook about 15 years ago.   Bought another for my wife about 8 years ago.  I will never go back to a Windows OS.  
 

I wish you the best.

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

The Google system will work pretty much just like your cellphone  !

[Dawg Hair, SASS #29557]

Get an Apple.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

For me, it'e really quite simple.  Think "MAC."  I've been running MACs for the last 20 years and I have no beef at all with Safari.  Never had a problem.  I wouldn't have a Windows machine if given to me freebies.

[Palouse]

17 hours ago, Outlaw Gambler said:

One reason is that on 10/15/25 one of my computers was compromised. ... Microsoft ended support for 10 on the 14th and on the 15th BANG.

 

Actually, if you had the latest MS Win10 update installed on Oct 14th, you are good as possible until the next (security) release first Tuesday of November.  Get the free-to-consumers extension.  

[Palouse]

22 hours ago, Outlaw Gambler said:

... My computers are both too old to upload Win 11.

1. My 1st task is to determine which 1 computer ...

 

If all you do is read email, surf SASS Wire, read the news, reconcile bank accounts, and sort/store picture files on PCs that work now, get the **free** one year Win10 security updates from Microsoft.  A year from now, pay a nominal fee to extend for another one or two years.  

 

Don't buy new just to get Windows 11 or a different and VASTLY more expensive solution just to spite Microsoft.  

 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.  Maintain it, though.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

IF your existing computers are working fine with Windows 10, then there is no need to upgrade.   Just like there is no need to update Word or Powerpoint every time a new version comes out.  If the older OS/Software is doing what you need it to do and not giving you problems, stay where you are.

Of course if/when your computer dies, you'll have to get a new one with whatever the current reality is.

[John Kloehr]

9 minutes ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

IF your existing computers are working fine with Windows 10, then there is no need to upgrade.   Just like there is no need to update Word or Powerpoint every time a new version comes out.  If the older OS/Software is doing what you need it to do and not giving you problems, stay where you are.

Of course if/when your computer dies, you'll have to get a new one with whatever the current reality is.

The problem with this approach is file formats changing over time. The worst I ran into was with some Adobe software. Client was good about backups, so still had his files when the computer died.

 

The new computer had a new OS, which required new Adobe software. Having skipped several major updates (in part because they required OS updates), the old files were no longer readable. This lead to a long and painful migration through an interim machine with an old "in the middle" OS and an old "in the middle" version of Adobe, and many hours of opening and resaving files to move them forward. The files were more important for that client's business than the computer.

 

I currently have a friend who has a laptop running Win 95... He can not read modern Word files and even many PDFs will not open, or will not render properly if they do open.

 

I install updates my stuff a few days after they are released for smaller releases (check for problem reports first), in a few months more major releases. I like to see a few "point" releases before taking a big step.

[Stump Water]

22 minutes ago, John Kloehr said:

The problem with this approach is file formats changing over time. The worst I ran into was with some Adobe software.

 

In my 38 years in IT, Adobe software/files is/are the only ones that I ever knew to suffer that affliction.  And more so with Mac installations than Windows.  Yes, the "painful migration" was as you describe.  And it got exponentially worse when they moved from perpetual licensing to subscription.

 

I just opened a Word doc created & last modified in 1997 with Word 2019.  

[John Kloehr]

37 minutes ago, Stump Water said:

In my 38 years in IT, Adobe software/files is/are the only ones that I ever knew to suffer that affliction.  And more so with Mac installations than Windows.  Yes, the "painful migration" was as you describe.  And it got exponentially worse when they moved from perpetual licensing to subscription.

 

I just opened a Word doc created & last modified in 1997 with Word 2019.  

Adobe is definitely bad. I have run into some issues with MS Office fils, but generally with "advanced" features. A basic letter in Word should be OK; an old mail-merge? Not so sure.

 

I have run into it with other files and some PDFs. CAD/CAM software too, but that is getting a bit out of home use and into industrial applications. BTW, many ATMs and POS systems at stores were still running XP a couple years ago.

 

On edit: The other problem with down-level OS and applications is not being able to read newer files. My friend with the Win95 laptop can't use it for much anymore. Fortunately Word provides a few options for file format:

 

 

Something to keep in mind if sending a file to someone with older software. Or running Linux. Or...

[Stump Water]

17 minutes ago, John Kloehr said:

Adobe is definitely bad. I have run into some issues with MS Office fils, but generally with "advanced" features. A basic letter in Word should be OK; an old mail-merge? Not so sure.

 

I have run into it with other files and some PDFs. CAD/CAM software too, but that is getting a bit out of home use and into industrial applications. BTW, many ATMs and POS systems at stores were still running XP a couple years ago.

 

You did remind me... I think it was about 2008-10 time frame MS new version of Visual Studio did away with a LOT of functions.  Of course that sh__ flowed downhill to macros/VBA in the office suite of the time.  My former employer does a LOT of that "advanced" stuff in Excel  Access for everything from accounting to production planning and scheduling, so we skipped that whole debacle.  After the world-wide hue and cry, MS put it all back in the next release.

 

AFAIK the former employer is still running some Win95 machines as the HMI for some CNC routers.  They're not networked and those industrial grade PCs with no moving parts are pretty much bullet proof.

[watab kid]

On 10/16/2025 at 12:30 PM, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

Can't help you on an OS but I will say that I didn't want Windows 10, I liked 7 too much.  But then I had to get 10 after my Windows 7 laptop died.  Finally got used to 10.  I didn't want to go to 11, but one day my laptop upgraded to 11 when I thought it was just doing a normal update.  And so far, I can't tell the difference between 10 and 11, so I'm okay with it and wouldn't mind getting another with 11 if I needed it.

 

The main thing was that the new laptop is my first with SSD (solid state drive) and I love it!  Way faster than the hard drive and I expect more reliable in the long run.  I don't even know if any computers are still made with hard drive but if they are, don't get one!

thgis was my experience as well and like the OP im in the same boat - my IT guy is not around anymore but i might be anble to find him for this one change if i work at it , im not the computer guy , i stumble in everything i do here