So how is Windows 8?
- Thread starter DarkNinja
- Start date
lucasbytegenius
Well-Known Member
I think it's pretty good from what I've used from the last consumer preview. I think it will be worth upgrading from Windows 7 for me because it keeps me up to date faster on stuff like mail and calendar events.
Other people are freaking out over the "removal" of the start menu though, and don't like how it's become the Start Screen.
Other people are freaking out over the "removal" of the start menu though, and don't like how it's become the Start Screen.
So you tried a demo version, and you think it's worth it?
I don't think it's worth it. Metro is fairly useless on a desktop. It's like using Windows Media Center 24/7. I'm only going to use it to get used to it.
lucasbytegenius
Well-Known Member
Yes, but it's mostly because of what I said before, and its improved performance.
I personally don't like it,I agree with voyager that it feels useless on a regular desktop computer.
I even tried it out on one of those new LENOVO IdeaCentre Touchscreen 3D All-in-one at PC World...and found it horrible to navigate around places,it seemed slow even though that system had 6gb of ram and an i5 i5-3330S.
hopefully windows 9 (if there will be one) wont carry on going down this route windows 8 took.
I even tried it out on one of those new LENOVO IdeaCentre Touchscreen 3D All-in-one at PC World...and found it horrible to navigate around places,it seemed slow even though that system had 6gb of ram and an i5 i5-3330S.
hopefully windows 9 (if there will be one) wont carry on going down this route windows 8 took.
NyxCharon
Active Member
I've worked with some new laptops with it at work. They came in for some software to be added to them. Turns out that a lot of the CAD/Simulation stuff they use wont work properly on it...
Found that interesting/unexpected.
I also used the beta, hated it, and haven't touched it since.
Found that interesting/unexpected.
I also used the beta, hated it, and haven't touched it since.
AlienMenace
Well-Known Member
There are 2 Versions of the Windows 8. "Standard" and "Professional".
And only (OEM) System Builders. Windows 8 "Standard" 32 bit runs 99.99 and the 64 bit 99.99, (OEM)'s (Full Version) on Newegg.
And Windows 8 "Professional" 32 bit 139.99, and the 64 bit 139.99 (OEM)'s (Full Version) on Newegg. And the Upgraded Version for 69.99 and I think you will get both the 32 and 64 bit in it. Or download the ISO from Microsoft till January 31, 2013 for 39.99. And far as I know, there will be no Retail Version.
I am using the Release Preview Build 8400 of the Beta. I like it. As for not having the Start menu, you can download a 3rd party program for it. Stardock has a program called "Start8" for 5.00 USD for it, you can try it out for 30 Days and buy it afterwards if you like it. And it will give you a start menu and it will boot up that way like 7. I heard of another one called "Classic Shell" also. But I got the Start 8 and it does the job.
I like Windows 8, because it boots up faster. Shuts down faster. And for the Metro (UI) that is really no big deal with it. Just like any new OS Software, the other programming companies are going to have to gear up and get their patches, updates or drivers programs out there.
So, in December I am going to order the Professional x64 (Full Version) from Newegg for 139.99. And bypass 7. My last OS was Windows XP x64 Professional.
I run it on a Desktop with no problems. Just like any other OS. Yea sure it really is built for touch screens and what not. But it does really well on a Desktop. And I been using it since August.
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^ This. Microsoft are going to learn from their mistakes, people really don't like Windows 8. Hopefully the next version will have a Start Menu again.
I downloaded Windows 8 Pro three days after it was released and was amazed it only cost £24.99 (and £49.99 for the boxed version). The download was just over 2 gigs but it took about 4 hours 30 minutes because the Microsoft download site was understandably busy.
Installation was a breeze. First it checks your current Windows installation for any devices or "apps" that aren't compatible with Windows 8. I was using Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit) and of all the stuff I had installed which is a lot only one thing was incompatible which was Alcohol 120%.
It actually downloads it after it's checked your system then gives you the option to burn a DVD from the ISO which I did of course. Then you can either do a fresh install, just keep your personal files or keep all your Windows settings aswell. I chose to keep everything.
When Windows 8 starts you get the start screen (which replaces the start menu) and it's just like what you get on a tablet really. It's very user-friendly and great for social networking etc. If you don't want the start screen though all you have to do is simply click on the desktop icon and you've got what is basically an improved version of Windows 7.
The absence of the start menu on the desktop only means you need to create some taskbar shortcuts or some extra shortcuts on the desktop, so I can't see what all the fuss is about.
It's a brand new OS but unlike earlier versions of Windows it not only works properly but is just as fast or even slightly faster than the previous version from day one. I've only been using it for a week but that's been my experience of it so far.
It cost less than the average game costs at release date to upgrade from 7 to 8 and people still try to slate it. Maybe they don't like change or something. I think it's great though.
Installation was a breeze. First it checks your current Windows installation for any devices or "apps" that aren't compatible with Windows 8. I was using Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit) and of all the stuff I had installed which is a lot only one thing was incompatible which was Alcohol 120%.
It actually downloads it after it's checked your system then gives you the option to burn a DVD from the ISO which I did of course. Then you can either do a fresh install, just keep your personal files or keep all your Windows settings aswell. I chose to keep everything.
When Windows 8 starts you get the start screen (which replaces the start menu) and it's just like what you get on a tablet really. It's very user-friendly and great for social networking etc. If you don't want the start screen though all you have to do is simply click on the desktop icon and you've got what is basically an improved version of Windows 7.
The absence of the start menu on the desktop only means you need to create some taskbar shortcuts or some extra shortcuts on the desktop, so I can't see what all the fuss is about.
It's a brand new OS but unlike earlier versions of Windows it not only works properly but is just as fast or even slightly faster than the previous version from day one. I've only been using it for a week but that's been my experience of it so far.
It cost less than the average game costs at release date to upgrade from 7 to 8 and people still try to slate it. Maybe they don't like change or something. I think it's great though.
S.T.A.R.S.
banned
Every person has his/her own idea of which Windows operating systems are good and which are not.To some people that is Windows XP,to some it is Windows 7,to some it is Windows 8 and so on......
To me they are all good (if you know how to use them of course.But the logic is always the same so I don't really see a problem).Anyway my favorite ones are:
-Windows 95
-Windows 98 first edition and second edition
-Windows XP professional with SP1,SP2 and SP3
But like I said...they are ALL good to me.Even DOS lol.(DOS can be useful in some rare cases).
Same goes for Microsoft visual studio.Every person has his/her own idea of which Microsoft visual studio development environments are good and which are not.To some people that is Visual studio 2008,to some it is Visual studio 2010,to some it is Visual studio 2012 and so on......
To me they are all good (if you know how to use them of course.But the logic is always the same so I don't really see a problem).Sure some things are harder to code on old versions,but so what.It's possible to make what you want in old versions too if you have enough knowledge.Anyway my favorite one is:
-Microsoft visual studio professional .net 2002 (version 7.0)
Like I said...every person has his/her own idea of what is good/bad/magical/easy/hard and so on......
Cheers everyone!
To me they are all good (if you know how to use them of course.But the logic is always the same so I don't really see a problem).Anyway my favorite ones are:
-Windows 95
-Windows 98 first edition and second edition
-Windows XP professional with SP1,SP2 and SP3
But like I said...they are ALL good to me.Even DOS lol.(DOS can be useful in some rare cases).
Same goes for Microsoft visual studio.Every person has his/her own idea of which Microsoft visual studio development environments are good and which are not.To some people that is Visual studio 2008,to some it is Visual studio 2010,to some it is Visual studio 2012 and so on......
To me they are all good (if you know how to use them of course.But the logic is always the same so I don't really see a problem).Sure some things are harder to code on old versions,but so what.It's possible to make what you want in old versions too if you have enough knowledge.Anyway my favorite one is:
-Microsoft visual studio professional .net 2002 (version 7.0)
Like I said...every person has his/her own idea of what is good/bad/magical/easy/hard and so on......
Cheers everyone!
speedyink
VIP Member
Windows 8 is alright. I forced myself to use it for a month to see if I liked it as my only OS. It was pretty nice actually, very fast, looked nice, and the new/updated features were great.
I was already using it for more than a month and planning to stick with it, but then it randomly killed the wifi in my laptop...adapter was enabled but windows 8 thought it was disabled, with no way to 'enable' it again..boom, back to windows 7, lol.
I'll give it another chance one day, but damn that's a pain in the ass to reinstall over something so dumb.
I was already using it for more than a month and planning to stick with it, but then it randomly killed the wifi in my laptop...adapter was enabled but windows 8 thought it was disabled, with no way to 'enable' it again..boom, back to windows 7, lol.
I'll give it another chance one day, but damn that's a pain in the ass to reinstall over something so dumb.
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It seems that 8 is mainly geared towards people who are using tablets and smart phones and are used to the kind of display it presents. From what I can gather, I can not see any improvements over 7 if you don't care about the similarities, and just want to use a standard Desk PC and use it for the usual things the majority of people use it for.
It may start or shut down faster, but is it worth upgrading at this point?
It may start or shut down faster, but is it worth upgrading at this point?
wolfeking
banned
You forgot 2k pro!
But I do have to disagree only slightly here. They are not all great. Some of them are not needed and just a reason to milk another $100+ out of the customers. Windows XP, 7, 8, and ME spring to mind. XP could have easily been rolled out as 2k Home, and the other features (non the interface) could have easily been done as a service pack. 7 could have just been a service pack to vista. Basically it was just platform updates and hotfixes as is anyway, minus the useless visual change. 8 is garbage anyway, in my eyes. It took what was acceptable with vista/7 and binned it for crap unnecessary. And moving the off button with no warning where it went was too much for me. ME just tried poorly to extend 9* over to the XP launch. They should have kept going on 98SE and it would have been fine. It is still quite fine, when you can hotfix drivers yourself.
speedyink
VIP Member
Differences between windows 7 and windows 8:
Windows 8 has faster performance all around
new redesigned task manager
file transfer windows totally redesigned and more functional
multiple file transfers at the same time works WAAAY better
Much improved multi monitor support
New ways to reinstall windows by creating base images
storage spaces
Error checking primary drive no longer requires reboot
Windows backup and restore improved to support individual files
Secure boot
And much more that I'm too lazy to type out.
But no no, you're right, all Microsoft did in 3 years was throw in the new start screen to screw everyone up. /Sarcasm
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bconover93
New Member
I upgraded from windows 7 home premium 64 bit to windows 8 pro with media center on Saturday. Not half bad. Getting used to it... performance is nice on my low-end 2 year old Compaq Presario CQ62-219WM.
S.T.A.R.S.
banned
You forgot 2k pro!
But I do have to disagree only slightly here. They are not all great. Some of them are not needed and just a reason to milk another $100+ out of the customers. Windows XP, 7, 8, and ME spring to mind. XP could have easily been rolled out as 2k Home, and the other features (non the interface) could have easily been done as a service pack. 7 could have just been a service pack to vista. Basically it was just platform updates and hotfixes as is anyway, minus the useless visual change. 8 is garbage anyway, in my eyes. It took what was acceptable with vista/7 and binned it for crap unnecessary. And moving the off button with no warning where it went was too much for me. ME just tried poorly to extend 9* over to the XP launch. They should have kept going on 98SE and it would have been fine. It is still quite fine, when you can hotfix drivers yourself.
Oh crap you are right lol.How could I forget Win2K pro ?!!!
Shame on me
I will punish myself later Actually I am already being punished...I have a huge headache.I should move away from the monitor..........once I write what I want below lol:Well I actually agree with you lol.Windows 7 could have been a service pack for Windows Vista,but hey...Microsoft needs to make money and service packs are free lol.And I especially agree that Windows millennium did not need to even be created since it wasn't that good lol and instead (like you already said) Microsoft just needed to make fixes for Windows 98 SE to make it work even better until Windows NT (2000 and XP) were finished.But then again (like I already said) Microsoft needs to make money lol and updates,hotfixes and so on...are free.
It's all about the money at the end lol.
Speedyink I completely agree with everything you said simply because you are right lol.So don't listen to people who say something like:
"Windows 8 suck because all Microsoft did in 3 years was a small change in design and little faster boot up / shutdown.Is it worth upgrading?"
Because only people without knowledge about this will say that and unforcenately there are many people like that.
I just don't pay attention on them or I just tell them that they are right xD
DMGrier
VIP Member
SO I just upgraded to Windows 8, I wasn't going to due to the fact I have not liked Windows in a long time but the reviews online seemed like people actually liked it and every person I ran into that had installed it were praising it. So I said hell why not I will give it a shot. I might actually stay with this Windows OS, Some of the things they did differently were my complaints with Windows 7 and previous editions.
Pros: I was worried about the performance, my Vaio is going on two years old with hardware design that is about three years old so installing a new OS made me wonder how it would handle. Ubuntu runs great on my computer but I have even noticed with the newer versions that have more features it started to run slower, but with Windows 8 my computer runs faster, boot and shutdown is about 15-20 seconds which is about half the time as Windows 7 and a little faster then Ubuntu. Applications open almost instant which this is not a big deal for me but if I can notice it I will give it credit. Metro may have not been the best U/I pick and I know I would have been the first to bash it on these threads but after using it and actually using the hot keys I find myself working faster and doing a lot more multi tasking. Security was well improved, defender now protects while in use and helps secure the boot which is a huge improvement, not 100% secured but it shows Microsoft working on better security features.
Cons: Microsoft in the next release of Windows needs to choose traditional desktop or metro, I understand the existence of this relationship today being there are still a lot of applications that would not run in metro so until a majority of application makers build new software for metro we will still need the Windows 7 desktop. Another small gripe is I consider Windows 7 a little more stable when it was first release then Windows 8, not saying Windows 8 is a Vista by any means but 7 was a little more stable but this is all understanding since Windows 8 is a whole new idea in how it operates an a new U/I.
Like I might have been one of the first to hate on Windows 8 but after giving it a fair try I like it. So I might stick with this for a while.
Pros: I was worried about the performance, my Vaio is going on two years old with hardware design that is about three years old so installing a new OS made me wonder how it would handle. Ubuntu runs great on my computer but I have even noticed with the newer versions that have more features it started to run slower, but with Windows 8 my computer runs faster, boot and shutdown is about 15-20 seconds which is about half the time as Windows 7 and a little faster then Ubuntu. Applications open almost instant which this is not a big deal for me but if I can notice it I will give it credit. Metro may have not been the best U/I pick and I know I would have been the first to bash it on these threads but after using it and actually using the hot keys I find myself working faster and doing a lot more multi tasking. Security was well improved, defender now protects while in use and helps secure the boot which is a huge improvement, not 100% secured but it shows Microsoft working on better security features.
Cons: Microsoft in the next release of Windows needs to choose traditional desktop or metro, I understand the existence of this relationship today being there are still a lot of applications that would not run in metro so until a majority of application makers build new software for metro we will still need the Windows 7 desktop. Another small gripe is I consider Windows 7 a little more stable when it was first release then Windows 8, not saying Windows 8 is a Vista by any means but 7 was a little more stable but this is all understanding since Windows 8 is a whole new idea in how it operates an a new U/I.
Like I might have been one of the first to hate on Windows 8 but after giving it a fair try I like it. So I might stick with this for a while.