Windows 8

[Irvrobinson]

I just installed Windows 8 on my notebook computer. I was tempted by that $40 Microsoft offer. What a dumb move. To a long-time Windows user the interface is not intuitive, downright cumbersome. I had to reinstall every app, nothing seems better or faster. At least my OmniMic and Velodyne software seems to run fine.

There's a certain blocky, DOS-like look to the interface. What were they thinking? Yeah I know, it's for a touch screen. It's still ugly and cumbersome.

Apple and Android are going to win huge, he says as he types on his iMac.

My advice is that if you're on Win7 stay there. That was the last good release.

 

[Hocky]

Win8 is probably great on a tablet, but otherwise it sucks. MS should have left an option for a classic desktop/startmenu. You know what is worse? Server 2012 is sporting the same touch screen interface. lol.

 

[Adam]

MS should have left an option for a classic desktop/startmenu.

I thought that I read that they did. I don't own it, so I don't know for sure...but maybe there is one.

 

[CaliHwyPatrol]

Just to test it out, I put it on my ASUS eee Slate (touch tablet). Seems to take advantage of the touch screen more than Win7 ever did. For what little I've done so far, it actually does seem faster. I think it might work out to be a decent upgrade for a touch screen, but my other computers probably won't see it. I also have an ASUS Transforer Infinity, which runs Android. It's very useful, but every now and then it's nice to have Windows so I can run programs not available on the mobile OS.

 

[Irvrobinson]

every now and then it's nice to have Windows so I can run programs not available on the mobile OS.

Exactly. Many, many apps are not available for the Mac and won't be, so owning a Windows machine is pretty much a requirement. I was happy with Win7. Fast, reliable (I never had a blue screen), intuitive. There were lots of things about it I actually liked better than Mountain Lion's corresponding features. Perhaps I'm just ignorant of how to do it, but I'd like Win8 to let me use the old interface, and there doesn't seem to be a way to do it.

 

[Irvrobinson]

I thought that I read that they did. I don't own it, so I don't know for sure...but maybe there is one.

There is a familiar looking desktop display, but it isn't quite the same. Try to Start anything and you're into the new stuff.

 

[lsiberian]

I realize it's frustrating, but Microsoft really needs to get with the touch interface if they want to survive. They have not really grown the last decade.

Standardizing their OS across their platforms seems to be a big goal.

That said never ever ever ever install a new os on your main pc. From xp to 7 you really don't gain much. Get a tablet with 8, but nothing else.

 

[Irvrobinson]

Get a tablet with 8, but nothing else.

For a tablet I'd go with iPad, or maybe a Kindle if I was just using it as reader, but probably an iPad.

 

[Hi Ho]

I installed the Developer Preview, Consumer Preview, and Release preview all in virtual machines to try them out. I was not impressed. It is a very cumbersome interface to use with a keyboard and mouse. I think it looks nice in it's own right but it does not work for the way I use my PC. I have multiple windows spread across two monitors and the "one full screen app at a time" way of Windows 8 is not the way I want to use my PC. I will stick with Windows 7 on my desktop.

I played with Windows 8 on some tablets the other day at Best Buy and it is quite obvious that is THE device that Windows 8 was designed for. It makes a lot more sense and is much more logical on a touch screen.

Speaking of upgrading operating systems, I received my Samsung 830 256GB SSD for my Macbook pro yesterday and installed a clean copy of OSX Mountain Lion upgrading from Lion. So far, it's not a big change. Some nice added features and better performance. Apple really is on a roll.

Exactly. Many, many apps are not available for the Mac and won't be, so owning a Windows machine is pretty much a requirement.

You can dual boot Windows on any mac or run Windows in a virtual machine. That said, I run both because my main desktop is DIY and it runs Windows Media Center which is my main DVR.

 

[avnetguy]

I haven't really tried W8 yet, probably will do an install within a few weeks just to try it out as it's free for me via my work. A few guys have it at work already so I've only seen it passing by but they don't seem to mind it, heck one guy actually likes it!

If W8 fails on the desktop either third party apps will make up for it or W9 will be out sooner than later.

Steve

P.S. Hey, maybe we'll get a few more of those funny PC vs Mac guy commercials out of this.