Thread: Windows 8

A question for the nerds: if you had access to a free copy of Windows 8, would you install it or would you keep Windows 7 for now?

I know nothing about Windows 8, but it looks like I can get a free install through my university's computer lab. What's the word on the street? Is it solid or still quite buggy? Will I have compatibility issues with programs that are able to run on a Windows 7 platform?

I have a good friend who's been helping to test and develop Windows 8. He said the speed increase on existing hardware is phenomenal. Boot times are way down. He believes that while not perfect, it is ready for launch and is well worth the upgrade.

Windows 7 had a fantastic launch a few years ago, and that was due to one of the largest beta tests in history spanning a massive variety of hardware. I've been told that the Windows 8 beta test has been even larger.

I pre-ordered Win 7 for it's last release and had zero problems. I will be doing the same with 8. Time to breathe some new life into my crappy old laptop!


Edit: From what I can tell, Microsoft's not doing pre-orders for Win 8, but that doesn't seem to matter because they're distributing it via download, which is great because it means I can (hopefully) just save it to a flash drive for future installs.

I haven't tried it. But from what I've read it's not very user friendly. The "metro" interface forces you to have all these tiles all over your screen and gets rid of the start menu. You can download some programs to fix this, but it sounds annoying. Supposedly things that used to take one step, now take two or three. The idea that you should only have one UI for tablets and desktops is a bad one.

And I'm really not a fan of the direction Microsoft is going. They seem to be heading in the closed off Apple direction with their "app store."

Originally Posted by bern43

I haven't tried it. But from what I've read it's not very user friendly. The "metro" interface forces you to have all these tiles all over your screen and gets rid of the start menu. You can download some programs to fix this, but it sounds annoying. Supposedly things that used to take one step, now take two or three. The idea that you should only have one UI for tablets and desktops is a bad one.

Buddy I was talking about earlier mentioned the complaints to me, but believes them to be unwarranted. He said while it takes some getting used to, once you learn the main shortcuts, it's even easier and more efficient to get around than previous versions.
Take a look at this link for examples of shortcuts: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/hyperyash/ar...shortcuts.aspx

I tend to agree. I honestly don't use my mouse too much to get around anyway. I use the Win 7 shortcuts all the time and it is indeed easy. For most anything, you can already hit your windows key, then type in pretty much whatever you want to do. Apparently 8's going to work about the same way. Lack of a start menu will have zero effect on the way I currently use my computer.

Try Ubuntu.

Originally Posted by Hott Butt Mud

Try Ubuntu.

FTW

I have been using win 8 on a test machine I have not seen much of a difference in speed. That could be because the test pc has nothing on it? The tiles are kind of annoying at first but you get use to them. If you hit the desktop button or the windows key on the keyboard things start to get familiar.

Oh I would say wait until the official release and if you want to try a different OS go with Ubuntu.

Everything I've heard is that it's the shit.
What new with Ubuntu?

Before you jump in- check out your software and hardware to see what it has and if there will be issues or compatibility problems. Then go do a bit of reading about the Metro interface(no longer called that though-MS dropped the name) and comments others that have spend some time on Windows 8 pre-released versions to see if there is anything to scare you or a deal breaker. Like this one and others out there:
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/w...dows-8-review/ and a preview of the new interface (but there are ways to remove it):
http://forwardthinking.pcmag.com/non...the-metro-mess
Another option if you have a few extra dollars in the budget could be buy a second hard drive and have the University use that blank one to do the load of Windows 8 (and if there is stuff you do not like you just pull it out and go back to your original Windows 7 hard drive, just as you left it.

You can switch out of Metro and go back to a look

As a few of you know I work for MS so my opinion is neither without bias or exactly framed within the context of a how a "normal" user uses the computer.

I have been on various build of Win8 for a pretty lengthy time now. There are some performance enhancments in the way that resources are used however I personally do not find it to be so much faster that I would get it for that reason.

IMHO the real win is the new interface. As RShea correctly called we no longer can call the interface Metro however it is a very new design for MS interfaces. Touch centric, simpler overall layout in the way things are framed\launched. Took me a bit of getting used to.

To the OP's question - I havent had many compatibilty issues. There are some ways you can influence Win8 to run a program as Win7 however that may be out of the scope of what you want actually do. RShea nailed it again; check what you are going to be using application/hardware wise and compare it to the list of what MS says Win8 does out of the box.

Hope this helps.

You can check out the pre-RTM release for 90 days for free right now;

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/eval.../jj554510.aspx

The easiest way to trial the software is to install it on a virtual hard drive (VHD).
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/how-t...dows-7-pc/4847

I really don't see what the fuss is about the Metro interface.. maybe the only mistake is they have made it the default screen, but that can be changed. I haven't used a start menu in Windows 7 for ages (Windows key, type a search, launch application ?????*profit*)

This way if you want to remove it all you need to do

Remember when everyone got upset about the 'Ribbon' on Office 2K7.. now most couldn't even think of going back to a menu styled office application.

Originally Posted by Gurutasker

I haven't used a start menu in Windows 7 for ages (Windows key, type a search, launch application ?????*profit*)

Exactly! Glad I'm not the only one out there. That's what I've been preaching for years now! Windows 7 made life so much easier without having to depend on the start menu. Makes for an easy transition to 8 in my eyes. The funny thing is how so few people actually know how freaking easy 7 is to use as it is. People at work will ask me, "How do I do X, Y, or Z." I say, "I dunno, try hitting your windows key and typing in what you want to do." 9 times out of 10, it works. So intuitive. People complain that computers are so difficult, Microsoft pretty much addressed all of that with 7 IMO, making it as easy as it's ever been. Now they're coming out with 8, which is supposedly even EASIER, and people are still going to complain that it's too hard. If people still don't get it after 8, then I give up with helping them get around their computers. Lol.

Originally Posted by Gurutasker

Remember when everyone got upset about the 'Ribbon' on Office 2K7.. now most couldn't even think of going back to a menu styled office application.

Quite true. I used to hate the ribbon, but have come to really like it. I bet it'll be the same way with the new interfaces on 8.

I was just watch a video review of Microsoft Surface.

I guess this is a Hardware and Software package @ around 500$

It looks intriguing, as an appliance I can have sitting next to my Work Machine.

Watch video, Do personnel E-Mail Hang out in TGR. Other stuff.

Anyone gotten their hands on one yet?

Only thing I see missing, I am a slave to the cordless optical Mouse. Does the touch screen just make the Mouse obsolete?

Just watched an excellent and VERY thorough review of the Surface RT tablet.


Saw a friend yesterday who now has the same Surface tablet and is really freaking out about it. From what it sounds like, this is hands down the most usable tablet out there so far. The keyboard cover looks fantastic, and the tablet overall seems to address the few quibbles I have about my Xoom (android).

SO, as much as I hate early adopting, I think I might pull the trigger on a couple soon (both the RT for Christmas, and the Pro when it's released in January). The Pro version is going to have a 3rd gen Intel Core i5 and some other juicy stats!
http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-...specifications
It can serve as a full on replacement for my very old and aging laptop for work, as it absolutely smokes it. It has a mini displayport out, so I can hook it up to an external monitor, it has a usb 3.0 port, so I can still use whatever peripherals I want. It's basically a fully functioning PC with Windows 8 Pro, so it should serve me well. Plus, I travel a ton for work, so it will make life much, much easier in that regard. I was going to buy an ultrabook, but this seems even better overall as I use my Android tablet a ton at home. Definitely preferable to use in bed, on the couch, or at the breakfast table.

Thinking of buying the RT to replace my Xoom for my wife to use. She loves the Xoom, and uses it even more than me. Tablets no matter whether iPad or Android are awesome for using in the kitchen. She uses it for recipes, and it's nice that it is easy to clean and wipe off when she goes nuts in the kitchen. Great woman...knows her place! The problem with the Xoom is that the included Android browser is not very good. Nice that it has flash, but it's still slow and clunky overall. The RT should address this. Also nice that it has a version of Microsoft Office, so my wife can also use it for doing her school work (she's a teacher).

No matter what, the Surface is definitely worth taking a look at if you're in the market for a tablet (RT) or ultra-portable laptop (Pro). Lots of other manufacturers coming out with their own versions, but seems the Microsoft one's actually pretty danged good. I'm by no means a Microsoft fanboi as I <3 Linux and also think Apple's OSX is fantastic, but I honestly predict this whole Windows 8 ecosystem is really going to have a hugely significant impact on the computing world.

Not to derail this thread any further, but there are much better android browsers than the stock one. Dolphin and Firefox are both good alternatives.

The surface does look pretty cool. The keyboard/cover is absolute genius!

Sent from my Nexus S using TGR Forums

Originally Posted by billyhoyle

Not to derail this thread any further, but there are much better android browsers than the stock one. Dolphin and Firefox are both good alternatives.

Chrome and Opera as well as some lesser know browsers also available.

http://www.techradar.com/us/news/pho...atures-1091100

Originally Posted by billyhoyle

The keyboard/cover is absolute genius!

That's one of my favorite features! I hate the stock cover for my Xoom. The fantastic magnetic tri-fold cover for the newer iPads is one of my favorite things about them, but the Surface takes that a step further. They've also released an optional "type" cover that has real keys and is still pretty thin. Good stuff. Think I'll go with the "touch" cover for my future RT, and the type cover for my Pro.

Window 8 do have some good features but we if we talk about it speed. Then there been hardly difference with window 7 and and we can't say it been very much user friendly..but yo may getting the feature like screen lock. new task manager and many more..It still better to use window 7 or Ubuntu.

I don't see any benefit so far besides the split screen, the audio problem for 3rd parties is a big deal killer along with a convoluted process, this release looks like another Vista. Add in the lackluster sales of the surface and this release will probably push Ballmer over the edge

Originally Posted by mud

I don't see any benefit so far besides the split screen, the audio problem for 3rd parties is a big deal killer along with a convoluted process, this release looks like another Vista. Add in the lackluster sales of the surface and this release will probably push Ballmer over the edge

^^
Just go ahead and add yourself to the list of "people who don't get it." The split screen feature (aka snap) is freaking awesome but is nothing new, as I've been enjoying it since 7's release. Pretty sure the audio issues were on the BETA version, hence the reason for beta-testing! The "lackluster sales" has to do with limited supply. And this is NOTHING like Vista (which was slow, clunky, and generally blew chunks). I don't know if you've been living under an internet rock, but 8's been getting very high marks on all the review I've seen. Proving to be a very snappy, efficient OS, which truly is remarkably for a company like Microsoft. They've come a LONG way since Vista.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57...-modest-start/
"Ballmer claimed that sales were constrained by the limits of the sales channel, according to the report. The Surface tablet is only available at the Microsoft Store online and, in the U.S., at a few dozen brick-and-mortar stores.

But demand for the tablet through Microsoft's sales channels was apparently high enough to trigger a shortage of the $499 model online for more than a week, when it was listed as 'out of stock'. "

I for one, am DEFINITELY getting the Surface Pro when it comes out. Seems to be the perfect solution for my travel computing needs. And no, I'm not a Microsoft fanboi either, since my next computer will probably be the new Ivy Bridge-powered Mac Mini (+ it has the Apple's new fusion drive tekmology). I just recognize good software/hardware when I see it. You can talk all the smack you want about Windows 98, Vista, or the utter piece of crap that was ME, but if you actually know what you're talking about, then it's tough to be TOO critical of 8. It's really, really good.

Windows 8 is also not Windows XP backward compatible. With windows 7 Pro (64), you could run Windows 7 Pro (64) and have Windows XP (32) programs. With Windows 8 you are in an exclusively 64 bit environment. Just FWIW. Basically if you have some older software, it may not function properly or at all in Windows 8.

Originally Posted by iscariot

Windows 8 is also not Windows XP backward compatible. With windows 7 Pro (64), you could run Windows 7 Pro (64) and have Windows XP (32) programs. With Windows 8 you are in an exclusively 64 bit environment. Just FWIW. Basically if you have some older software, it may not function properly or at all in Windows 8.

I'm not so sure about that. I ran Microsoft's Upgrade Assistant on my old laptop, which checks functionality for the computer you're upgrading, and it showed all my old programs as being 100% compatible with 8. That includes some ancient XP software I use for work, an old version of Photoshop, and an old version of Acrobat. I guess what you're talking about is a few programs that don't play nice with newer versions of Windows, but doesn't seem that will be an issue for any of my programs. I guess it's worth running their Upgrade Assistant before you decide to make the switch to 8.

Originally Posted by AustinFromSA

^^
fanboi rawr .

The audio issues are in the updated release. I've read the online reviews and they are mixed, certainly not raving like you are.
http://www.thestreet.com/story/11762...-problems.html

Spent most of yesterday afternoon on a friends new laptop playing around with 8 and trying to get Realplayer to work and sync some music to my phone, maybe comparing it to Vista was harsh but it's far from fast and speedy compared to my 3 year old laptop running 7.

Originally Posted by AustinFromSA

I'm not so sure about that. I ran Microsoft's Upgrade Assistant on my old laptop, which checks functionality for the computer you're upgrading, and it showed all my old programs as being 100% compatible with 8. That includes some ancient XP software I use for work, an old version of Photoshop, and an old version of Acrobat. I guess what you're talking about is a few programs that don't play nice with newer versions of Windows, but doesn't seem that will be an issue for any of my programs. I guess it's worth running their Upgrade Assistant before you decide to make the switch to 8.

Good info. I have a friend who got a beta test for Windows 8, and some of his software wouldn't work, particularly stuff that drove older equipment/peripherals. Perhaps they've cleaned that up for final release.

People still use realplayer? I don't think I've installed that pos since i had a 98 machine.

Sent from my Tandy 1000