Why don't you remove 8 and install 7 - Apparently the thing to load is their W7 Professional and, I understand, Curry's/PC World are offering that as a package on some models. I'm beginning to think about a new pc - would like another Asus if they can provide and with the Professional.
It depends if there are windows 7 drivers for the various hardware components in your laptop. If it is only the look of W8 you don't like there are programme around to make W8 look like W7.
What is your main reason for wanting to go back to W7?
Windows 8 has normal windows under its new interface. If you install classic, shell, a free program, it makes w8 look and work like w7.
Taking a w8 computer back to w7 is a lot of hassle.
Also you can tell w8 to boot up and bypass the new interface making it look like W7.
W8 is very easy and in fact the everyday useability is no different to W7, except it starts up a lot quicker.
I wouldn't go back to W7. In fact, Windows 9 is on the horizon with whispers that it will be a free upgrade for W8 users.
Thanks for the advice VHD & HC, its just so confusing sometimes whats the best to buy for my needs, as there are so many to chose from when you look up laptops with different company's, and I'm not the brightest of stars when it comes to technology!
My honest advice would be to buy a W8 laptop, it should have Windows 8.1 installed. If you have problems you could either borrow one of those books for dummies from the library or buy one. Make sure it is for 8.1, not 8.
I'm sure you won't need it, though. Once you are on the desktop it is very similar to Windows 7. There are plenty of online guides and of course people here who can help you.
It would be for general use, e-mails, forums, Skype, shopping and some games, but not like action games or games needing lots of speed etc, more like hidden object games, like Criminal Case.
I want a 17'' screen and not to worried about battery life as I would use it only at home and plugged in most of the time.
I would like to pay about £400/£475, but not much more.