Need a Windows 7 business laptop - most big companies don't offer downgrade anymore

porsche26c on 28/11/2016 - 10:01
Last edited 29/11/2016 - 08:13 by 1 other user

Hi Guys,
My father-in-law needs a business type laptop that runs windows 7. Prefer new. The reason is the software he does his invoicing on only works on windows 7 and really does not want to upgrade as win10 doesnt work.
Ive noticed dell/lenovo dont offer that win7 downgrade.
Budget is around 1500-2000.
Any recommendations.
He would love a dvd drive as well but most these days dont have them.

Thanks in advance

UPDATE: thanks for all the replies, purchased a dell latitude with win 7 and 10 on the 10% ebay sale. thanks for all the help.

Computing Computer Laptop

Comments

  • Kangal on 28/11/2016 - 10:44

    He could go used, problem being the worn out batteries.
    They might be swapped/serviceable though.

    Otherwise, your best bet might be to get the laptop he wants.
    Then install Windows 7 on it yourselves, or help from a PC place.

    • porsche26c on 28/11/2016 - 11:11

      i might try that. i.e get a new unit and install a clean windows 7 if i cant find something already preinstalled new

  • klaw81 on 28/11/2016 - 11:06

    Not enough detail about other priorities (size, weight) to suggest a model. But optical drives are getting very hard to find in anything other than heavy, high-end, expensive workstation laptops.

    I had a quick peek at the Dell Latitude and HP Elitebook product listings - both officially support Windows 7. For instance, The EliteBook listing says it has "Windows 7 Professional 64 (available through downgrade rights from Windows 10 Pro 64."

    • porsche26c on 28/11/2016 - 11:09

      thanks for the suggestion. prefer a 15 inch laptop.

      • klaw81 on 28/11/2016 - 11:17
        +1

        Here's an example: http://www.dell.com/au/business/p/latitude-e5570-laptop/pd

        Dual core i7 CPU, 15" FHD screen, 8GB RAM, Windows 7 (inc. media) as a no-cost option, and enough change from $2k to upgrade to a 512GB SSD. It might even have a spare slot for an M.2 SSD in addition to the HDD (have to check, I can't tell)

        • porsche26c on 28/11/2016 - 11:23

          wow thats quite a lot off the rrp. im assuming over inflated prices or just the cost of a good business laptop? thanks for the suggestion, this seems to have exactly what he needs

        • klaw81 on 28/11/2016 - 11:27

          @porsche26c: Yes, corporate laptops have a massive retail markup. Corporates get massive discounts off that price because they buy units in bulk.

  • [Deactivated] on 28/11/2016 - 11:16
    +1

    Best thing to do is buy new then buy win 7 as well. At least you get something new as apposed to old and starting to show problems.

    • porsche26c on 28/11/2016 - 11:17

      thanks, kangal suggested the same thing. i might just do that. any brand? i was thinking lenovo thinkpad maybe the t460 or something like that.

      • Kenb0 on 28/11/2016 - 11:30
        +4

        before you do that with just any laptop, make sure that the laptop you're buying has Win7 drivers for it, or that they're easily sourced at least. Otherwise, stuff won't be installed properly when you wipe Win10 and put Win7 on top of it. The graphics and audio drivers usually come in one package that is win7/Win8/Win10 friendly, but some of the laptop-specific drivers such as motherboard may not have Win7 ones as the seller just provides the Win10 versions.

  • cheapisgood on 28/11/2016 - 18:25

    Keep in mind Windows 7 will stop being supported at 2020.

    So it doesn't work on Windows 8/10 even if you change compatibility mode to Window 7?

    • porsche26c on 29/11/2016 - 08:13

      yeah, funny cause his very old school, he took it to jb to install on a win 10 laptop and he said it doesnt even install. i thought all software should work on win10. thanks all for the replies i bought a dell latitude with win 7 and win 10 cd so once he wants to upgrade he can. picked up 3 yrs warranty with i7 for 1700 on the 10% ebay sale.

    • stewy on 30/11/2016 - 22:09

      I'm actually curious to see if Windows 7 stops being supported in 2020. In the corporate world it was quite a slow change to Windows 7, not many are going to be wanting to upgrade again so soon.

      • cheapisgood on 30/11/2016 - 23:15

        the 2020 is the date that Microsoft officially stops supporting it , i.e not releasing any further security and bug fixes.

        I'm sure companies will support it a bit longer though.

  • wasdw246 on 29/11/2016 - 13:52
    +1

    He could run a VM if it comes to it.
    Or just ride the waves and pillage on the seven seas

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