“There was a posting a few days ago about Linux based operating systems, wish I knew if I could use them on this thing, man, do I hate windows 8!”
I can offer two suggestions:
1. Download the “Classic Shell” app from www.classicshell.net. It makes Windows 8.1 tolerable.
2) You can test any computer for Linux compatibility without installing Linux by trying out a demo boot disk. Go to a Linux website, such as Linux Mint or Ubuntu, and download an .ISO image file. Burn a bootable DVD from that file. When you boot up a new computer, you will probably have to disable hardware security (which only allows Windows to run) in the CMOS setup. Then the Linux disk should boot up. If you decide you like Linux, you can optionally install it from the demo.
I'm in 'zackly the same boat as nomad...our desktop burned up just last week and we bought a new HP all in one; being a lightweight in the tech department, I took the old unit and the new HP to a local computer guy and he pulled ALL our stuff off oldie, and installed it on the new guy -- and he did "Classic Shell" -- I can hardly tell any difference; best 89 bucks I've spent in a long time.
My only remaining glitch is that I can't post pics to FR any longer until I figure out how to get photo 'properties'.....before, I'd just shade/copy the properties -- with this new unit when I go to properties I just get a little box that shows the properties, but it won't let me shade and/or copy.