There is no reason to upgrade to Windows 7 with old hardware unless you need some of the features or some software you want to run must have it. So, you might as well save your money and stick with XP. As I said, I got Windows 7 because I built a new HTPC and wanted to use Windows.

As for 16GB of ram, well most motherboards currently on the market only support 16GB of ram. Yea, I'm sure there are some that support more, but if you were to get the $100 OEM version, you couldn't swap out the Motherboard anyways. Also, there is nothing stopping Microsoft from patching it to support more than 16GB if they had to (which I doubt). While I think it is really stupid that Microsoft limited the home version, as an average home user it shouldn't affect you.

I meant that I dont wanna use one of these upgrade programs that lets you switch from an older Windows cheaper because I wanna keep a working Xp on my old comp and buy windows 7 for a new PC. So i'd have 2 PCs.

About that motherboard thingy. Windows ain't entirely locked to one motherboard. You can call Microsoft and they give you a new key that lets you activate Windows if you buy new hardware. I don't know if they are obliged to do it but it worked for me when I called them. Maybe they just wanted to be nice to me.

                                                                                               

I know Slimebeast was referring to something else but, just to note, XP support from Microsoft and Google is dwindling--lately there have been more than a few announcements of software/products without XP support.  It's pretty clear that it is being phased out at this point.  XP isn't going to stop working tomorrow, but saying there's "no reason to upgrade" is very shortsighted with so much writing on the wall.

Right now is actually a very good time to switch to Windows 7.  The W7 communities are very active so there will be lots of assistance if you have issues and, since XP hasn't been fully abandoned, there's still quite a bit of time to get used to Windows 7 before an actual "must-have" piece of software is announced without XP support.

This thread is funny to me because I had just (wrongly) assumed everyone already had Windows 7.

i have ordered my new PC, waiting 14-20 days for it 2 b built, shipped and delivered with the Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit. Cant Wait....Currently using WinXP bt im super excited about my new Gaming PC :D Should have it in my possession by next week early/late :D

I didn't realize slimebeast wanted to have a 2nd PC, which of course there is no reason to put XP on an new PC.

Anyways, it's all comes down to priorities and available money. I tend to follow the don't upgrade until you have to philosophy. Obviously if downtime at the wrong time is a concern, then you should upgrade beforehand. I also doubt those W7 communities are going to disapear in 1-2 years.

I had Windows 7 on my new Netbook, but it was so bad that i installed Linux Ubuntu over it. So much better now.

It's not about them disappearing entirely, it's activity.  When everyone is switching over and encountering similar issues, you're going to have 10 people working to find solutions.  2 years down the road, most of those people solved their issues so they're no longer working with you so much as you just searching for wherever the solution ended up being.  And, if there isn't a solution, the communities will be less active than they likely once were so it's harder to get people to help.

Compare it to video games.   The best time to join an online community for a game is right after it launches because that's when everyone is most active.  You can always join later, but people tend to leave them behind after a certain amount of time has passed.