03-31-15: Zd542+1. I would add that when you buy a pre-built PC, or at least those made by the major manufacturers, they will inevitably come with huge amounts of performance degrading "crapware" installed. And in many cases also anti-virus programs, security "suites," and other programs that are known resource hogs. Although even if you buy a pre-built PC you can reformat the hard drive, purchase Windows separately, and install it and all necessary programs from scratch. That is what I have done with my two laptops (an Asus and a Sager in this case). And I build my own desktop PC's, so of course I am installing all of their software from scratch.
For audio, I use Windows and Linux. But I wouldn't buy a pre built PC. In most cases, the parts they use are very low quality. Its easy enough to buy the parts and put it all together yourself. Then you know its done right.
04-24-15: Mgrif104Many and perhaps most Windows users seem to have this kind of experience, but it needn't be so. I currently have 3 desktops and 2 laptops in my house, ranging from 4 to 8 years old. Most started out with Windows XP, and all now run Windows 7 (I've made a point of avoiding Windows 8, based on what I've read about it). All of them work as fast and reliably as the day they were built or purchased. And I have never had to reinstall the operating system, aside from when I replaced XP with 7.
I'll never buy another PC again. I have owned many PCs, and am required to use one at work every day. They all need constant restarting and updating, and clearly grew old and slow quickly with expanding bloatware in the OS.
I suspect that the following are among the reasons many Windows users have experienced performance degradation and slowdowns over time:
1)Crapware installed by the manufacturer.
2)Failure to regularly defragment the hard drive, if it is a mechanical drive (SSD's don't have to be and should not be defragmented). In some cases, failure to ever defragment the hard drive.
3)Resource hogging anti-virus programs and security "suites." I use NOD32 (just the anti-virus program, not the full suite).
4)Failure to deselect free add-ons that are installed by default when things like Adobe Flash and Java Runtime Environment are updated. Sometimes those add-ons are anti-virus programs, which can result in two anti-virus programs running on the computer at the same time, which will almost guarantee poor performance.
5)When a new program is installed, choosing "express install" rather than "custom install," thereby losing visibility into and choice of what is actually being installed. The result often being installation of unnecessary and potentially resource hogging software.
6)There are certainly other reasons, but I suspect those listed above are among the most common.
I certainly understand that for many users a Windows PC will not be the right choice, but my point is that the performance degradation of Windows computers over time, that is often reported, is often explainable and in any event is avoidable.
Good luck. Regards,
-- Al