I have windows 8.1 running on a Dell laptop, it boots really fast and runs very stable. It had Windows 8 when i bought it, i wouldn't recommend this older version though.

Benchmarks: http://www.techspot.com/review/1042-windows-10-vs-windows-8-vs-windows-7/

General conclusion here is that the 3 tested behave about the same. I tend to think that XP is outdated, but i know a ICT guy who still prefers some older Windows 2000 version, rigged for his Cubase based system in a studio. But he uses that computer especially set up for audio only. No internet on that one .... And boy, it's an old computer too but runs quite fast.

If you come from a Windows XP platform, "classic shell" might be a handy tool if you need to install windows 8.1 or 10. -F