I got a laptop with Windows 8 around the first of the year. It is very different from XP which I had previously. My advice is to make sure you have a good computer person who can help you get started. I had a friend who modified mine a bit and I have gotten along fine. I don't really know just what he did but I would say if you go into it with an open mind you can master Windows 8. I don't think any other program is available when you purchase a computer that is loaded and ready to go. My computer friend downloaded a free program that one can use for spreadsheets, etc. and that saved me a lot of money as I didn't have to purchase an expensive program to accomplish this. This friend also transferred all my data from my old computer to my new laptop and saved most everything I had on my old one. My old printer doesn't work as well with my new laptop but I have worked with it and have it doing the things I want most of the time. Anything new is a challenge. Try to approach it as a new adventure.