Which Windows is the best for this hardware?(HP Compaq 6720s notebook)

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  1. Posts : 179
    Microsoft® Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
       #1

    Which Windows is the best for this hardware?(HP Compaq 6720s notebook)


    Hi

    I have a HP Compaq 6720s notebook. It is a bit old (from 2008) but still works great :)

    Looking at it's specs below (or online), which OS would you suggest?
    I want the best performance, but also be relatively secure and overally, get the best of all I can.

    Specs:
    Brand: HP
    Notebook model: Compaq 6720s
    Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core (T2310, 1.46Ghz)
    RAM/Memory: 2,5GB DDR2-800 (1x 2GB + 1x 512MB)
    Chipset: Intel 965 Express Chipset
    Graphics: Intel 965 Express Chipset Graphics (aka Intel965, Intel965GME, Intel x3100)
    Graphics type: Integrated (leeching system RAM, maximum 384MB)

    Certification (sticker on-board): Windows Vista BASIC (grey badge, NOT the Vista Premium Badge)
    Other badges: Energy Star, Intel Pentium Dual Core Inside

    OEM OS: (came preinstalled, but since then reinstalled): Windows Vista Home Basic


    According to HP's website, this notebook only supports Windows XP and Windows Vista. There are drivers for both of them.
    There are no drivers for Windows 7 there,
    and even though most Vista drivers work (except for Graphics and part of chipset components, and HP QuickLaunch buttons - downloads on windows update).

    HP Phone Customer Support confirmed this anomaly. They confirmed it is NOT compatible with Windows 7, only XP or Vista.
    I asked why, and I asked them this Vista-driver trick and they told me that this is only a partial solution, and if I install it, performance will be very poor, much worse than these two OSs. This actually seems to be true, I tested it. Graphics is terrible (youtube videos lag, and the computer heats up much more than with XP and Vista (is this a driver problem) and wifi speeds are worse too)
    This unit seems to be using CUSTOMIZED Graphics drivers. I know this because Intel's auto-driver updater told me it won't update it because of the fact I currently have a driver customized by my computer manufacturer. I am able to install other drivers though, but performance seems to be impacted. Of course this could be related to any other drivers too.

    What's the word with Vista Basic badge? Is it one that means this computer barely hits Vista's optimal requirements? Or does it just lack premium extras?

    On some other notebooks from this year, I can see a white Vista Premium badge. Why is there a difference? Is it just a reference for the OEM installed vista edition or is it also an indicator of the computer's readiness of Vista?



    I took a test-drive with Windows XP SP3 on this HP Compaq 6720s. It is very fast. It runs pretty good. But you know, it's still XP. No update support. That's scary. But should I be scared? Is an internet security suite (with, or without its own firewall enough?)

    What I do like about XP though, is what we all always liked. It has a very small footprint, and does what it needs. It doesn't keep my computer busy.

    I also took a test-drive with Windows Vista SP2. Performance is well... okay (not good, but tolerable) not nearly as good as XP. What's most annoying is that just like Windows 7 (although not that much) it heats up my notebook a lot. As if I was running an Antivirus scan all the time. Stuff like trustedinstaller, and search indexer keep using my CPU and theres always something.


    What should I use?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #2

    Hi,
    I would consider trying Linux Lite on it on a totally separate ssd or hdd and keep the existing one incase you don't like it...
    My nephew uses Linux lite and loves it :)
    https://www.linuxliteos.com/

    https://www.linuxliteos.com/download.html#requirements
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 177
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #3

    I would try getting all missing drivers using this method PC Help Forum
    I have the HP 6910p and using the latest Mint (Rosa) Download - Linux Mint and the only issue I face is the fingerprint reader (which I did not use anyway...)
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #4

    Be sure to checkout the system spec's which I did not see but I know mint in general uses more resources which the lite version is still a bit too much for the minimal system

    Be sure to also get the 32 bit Linux which ever flavor
    Linux Lite is called that for a very good reason it leans towards x-p interface which runs on low spec's machines well.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 179
    Microsoft® Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    This Linux Lite and Mint are good ideas, thanks! I'll give them a try on a seperate partition.

    However, I won't be able to completely switch from Windows to it since I need to run a lot of Windows-only programs.

    Which OS would you suggest?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #6

    Linux lite primarily it's system spec's are very close to what you have,
    As far as windows goes ?
    As stated no 7 drivers so you be stuck with x-p
    Even Vista's spec are more than you have but since the manufacture has drivers for Vista Home or basic that would be about all you can do

    You might be able to use 7 basic most Vista drivers will work on win-7
    Some extra feature may not work but it's a test and see deal there :/

    Either way it's definitely 32 bit only for you no matter which.
    Don't even think about 64 bit even in Linux
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #7

    No reason to get anything other then Windows 7 Home Premium, get what you can.

    XP

    Vista

    Although I personally love Vista, it`s just slow.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 177
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #8

    I still think that using the link I provided you can find driver for Windows 7 (and that is what you should use).
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #9

    AddRAM said:
    No reason to get anything other then Windows 7 Home Premium, get what you can.

    XP

    Vista

    Although I personally love Vista, it`s just slow.
    You just described his computers spec's very well = Very slow

    Either way using either windows classic desktop theme or a high contrast theme might help a windows 7 install a lot. I believe home premium is a stretch.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 51
    Windows 10 x64
       #10

    I think it'll run a 32 bit copy of Windows 7. I've run Windows 7 relatively happily on 1.5GB RAM and a Pentium 4.

    Stick to the basic theme and use Intel's own drivers for the 965 graphics chip and you're laughing.
      My Computer


 
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