A new PC I may buy has windows 8 preinstalled. *hiss*

Would is be bad for playing HCE?

Just install windows 7 if you don't like it :/

you can always try first, and if it doesn't work you could simply install an older OS.

windows 8 is trying too hard to be an iPhone

you are better with win7 ultimate

Halo works absolutely fine with Windows 8.

And there's nothing wrong with Windows 8. It's a brilliant OS. A lot of people might say that the only new feature is the interface but that's ridiculous. Windows Defender actually works, there are tons of new admin controls and even UAC is now bearable.
You'll get used to the interface too. It's a great interface even if it does take getting used to.
Oh and Windows 8 is a lot faster than Windows 7. Reviews make no exaggeration. It's just a lot faster. Noticeably.

Anyway, yeah, in answer to the original question. Halo works perfectly with Windows 8. Likely better than with Windows 7 due to all of the changes in how compatibility works. (not sure though but some other older games I play work a lot better on Win8)

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Edited by Jaz on Feb 11, 2013 at 08:31 AM

I'm having problems with max 8 and windows 8 where the quad menus will freeze and not go until you close the program (even if you minimize), and you gotta run absolutely everything as admin, other than that no problems.

Yeah, the only thing I hate is the driver signature enforcement.
It makes sense though. Without it, you're at a lot of risk. You could accidentally install any random driver and destroy your computer.(I can imagine non-techies doing this. These days, most programs install drivers automatically; so most users just accept them)
And it's easy to disable. All you have to do is go to PC Settings, click Advanced Start-Up. Let your computer boot-up. Go through a few more options, and bam, you've disabled it.
I've only had to disable it for one driver personally anyway.

Plus you should also note that Windows 8 has Advanced Start-Up as an option. Even though I was frustrated at having to disable driver signature enforcement, seeing Advanced Start-Up as an option in PC settings made me very happy. It's just one of the many admin options that have been made readily available on Windows 8, unlike Windows 7 which had a bunch of useful settings hidden away.

The only issue with Windows 8 again is the Metro layout. Even that isn't really an issue as such though. It's just... new. It takes getting used to. :P

Build your own, install W7.

But then he'd have to buy W7. It costs more than a £100. It really isn't worth it.

Would have been better to have caught the £25/£40 deal on Windows 8 but too late now. :/

I'm not actually sure if building your own PC would save you any money if you have to buy Windows 7 too. In a lot of cases, a pre-built PC can be cheaper in the longrun due to free software.

Yeah, I DON'T like it, that's why I want to get windows 7. I can't just install it because I'd need to buy it or something.

I take it you've never heard of the OEM versions of Windows.

Yes, I have heard of the OEM versions of Windows. OEM Windows 7 still costs about £80, plus the license is pretty dodgy. The Windows 8 OEM license is a lot better but still, it costs about £80.

Wow, this topic is actually super useful. I'm a Mac Halo modder (ghasp) using an extremely limiting selection of mac tools and I was just about to buy Windows 7 to bootcamp programs on my mac.
HOW CONVENIENT

If your running ML and have a recent macbook, theres not that huge a reason to use bootcamp. I use parallels 8 on a 2011 iMac and I can run CE full resolution with OS enabled at around 40-50 fps.

As far as W7, I lost my case with my key, so my windows hasn't been activated, MS doesn't seem to care or put any restrictions on you for not having a key other than annoying popups.

See, this is another advantage of Windows 8. The key's part of your installation. So if you've got a valid version of Win8, key or no key, it's registered as valid. :P

But yeah, apparently Halo works fine in WINE or whatever emulator/layer you decide to use.

The only differences between the Windows 7 retail and OEM is that you recieve no Microsoft support (Who cares?) and the first activation is link to the motherboard (you can upgrade everything but the motherboard in the future).

If you just wanted to save money, download any version of Windows 7 (trial) and then google Windows Loader.

I know what the differences are between retail and OEM.
OEM still costs about £80 though, unless of course you go for Home Premium; which I would never consider.

If you were going to go for OEM though, Windows 8 would be the better option. You get a transferrable license, so you can move from PC to PC as much as you like. The key is now software-based so it's not linked to any component of your PC. ;)
Pretty sure you could even copy the disc on to your harddrive or a USB and the license would still be valid. Microsoft's improved license rights a lot with Windows 8. :P

Wellp... Forget the OS for a second.

I'm not sure how it works in the US, but here in UK, we get 1 years warranty free on any pre-builts, before we have to pay for an extended warranty (if you upgrade your system, you void the warranty). Now if you build the system yourself, with most components, you get a good 2-3 years manufactures warranty and are able to upgrade the system anytime without having to worry about warranty (unless you're overclocking a cpu/graphics card (If you go with Intel, you can pay for Intels Tuning Protection Plan, which allows you to OC without worrying about damaging your cpu)).

Yeah, I live in the UK too. :P

Warranty's a difficult subject. In some cases, gaining a longer term warranty can either mean a higher price on the components or lower quality components in comparison to other brands which offer shorter term warranties.
Of course it probably is best to just go for the longer term warranty though.

I agree though. Pre-built warranties are terrible. However, pre-built PCs have usually been tested thoroughly so it's doubtful that they'll ever meet any issues anyway. So as long as you don't plan on upgrading your PC, which you shouldn't need to do if you spend enough money or just aren't planning to play modern games, everything should be fine.