I want to preface this by saying that I've used Windows all my life. This includes when Windows was still running on top of MS-DOS as 3.x versions. The only versions that I didn't really touch were NT/CE/Server editions. So when I say that I don't prefer 8.0/8.1 it's most likely from the very big change I had to go through.
That said, if you do transition to 8.x I highly recommend the free update to 8.1 immediately. There are tips and tricks to using 8.1 that weren't intuitive for me. I switched to go to desktop on start and there's stupid things like how 8.1 won't always register your swiping to get to some admin tools like shut down/control panel. I found out that the best and most convenient is right clicking the windows icon on the taskbar in desktop mode and there is everything.
I haven't had any real compatibility issues with 7 Home Premium or Ultimate nor have I really had any issues with 8.1 either (and if you're more interested in this part, FFXIV). It's not a horrible OS but it's definitely a lot more idea if you use tablets often or if you have a touchscreen. I have more of a "meh" attitude towards 8.1 and if given the choice I'd stick with 7 for a long while until it becomes obsolete by 9 or so..
Before you update though, have you considered a reformat of your system? I know you don't want to go into it but my laptop that was only available in Vista that I immediately changed to 7 upon release is still fine. Perhaps a driver was corrupted and a fresh reformat would solve it?
That said, if you do transition to 8.x I highly recommend the free update to 8.1 immediately. There are tips and tricks to using 8.1 that weren't intuitive for me. I switched to go to desktop on start and there's stupid things like how 8.1 won't always register your swiping to get to some admin tools like shut down/control panel. I found out that the best and most convenient is right clicking the windows icon on the taskbar in desktop mode and there is everything.
I haven't had any real compatibility issues with 7 Home Premium or Ultimate nor have I really had any issues with 8.1 either (and if you're more interested in this part, FFXIV). It's not a horrible OS but it's definitely a lot more idea if you use tablets often or if you have a touchscreen. I have more of a "meh" attitude towards 8.1 and if given the choice I'd stick with 7 for a long while until it becomes obsolete by 9 or so..
Before you update though, have you considered a reformat of your system? I know you don't want to go into it but my laptop that was only available in Vista that I immediately changed to 7 upon release is still fine. Perhaps a driver was corrupted and a fresh reformat would solve it?
