"Windows 8 Survey: Half Who Have Tried the OS Wouldn't Recommend It"

jimbo45 said:

Hi everyone
Perhaps we're asking the WRONG question here.

Instead of saying whether the UPGRADE is worth the price or not -- perhaps we should be asking --when you buy your NEXT computer will you STICK with W7 or Choose W8 as I'm sure by then an upgrade path will be available.

If you are happy TODAY on the computer(s) you are using and there isn't a "killer" feature on W8 that "You Must Have" then stick with the old OS.

I stayed for ages and ages with XP on one laptop -- it did everything I wanted and I couldn't be bothered to upgrade to W7. However when I got a NEW machine that was another issue.

Most of the threads here seem aimed at the UPGRADE market -- I think MS is changing the marketing strategy to appeal to the NEXT generation of NEW Windows users.

I can't see ANY business upgrading to W8 for years yet as some of them have barely started converting to W7 from XP --and I've still seen a few W2K servers around too!!!.

A lot of die hard users won't (predictably) like this version of Windows -- but you might find it appeals to a load of the current newer generation who seem to spend all day long staring into their mobile phones.

Big Market out there.

Cheers
jimbo

I build my desktop PCs myself, so the way it is now I'd buy Windows 7 if I built a new rig. At some point I would really like to get a tablet and if it came with Windows 8 preinstalled I'd give it a go. If I was buying a laptop I'm not so sure I'd want Windows 8 on it and if I had the option I think I'd go with Windows 7.

pparks1 said:

Coke Robot said:

Eight is great! Honestly, some people just don't like change.

For some people, there isn't sometimes a good reason to make changes. I look at the way that I use a computer and I look at Windows 7 and find very little that I would change to make myself more proficient in getting things done. From my limited experience with using Windows 8, I found that I had to learn how to do basic tasks all over again, and I often times had to click through multiple screens and dialog boxes to do the same tasks that I would do in less steps with Windows 7.

A big factor for me on using a new operating system is cost. Changes aside, the question becomes whether spending $199 or $299 provides enough additional benefits to outweigh the costs. I was never a big fan of Vista, and didn't upgrade my main desktop from XP as I didn't see any value in Vista. However, when I built my new rig, I invested in a copy of Windows 7 as it seemed a substantial upgrade from XP. But I haven't seen enough evidence that investing in Windows 8 is going to make me happy or feel that the cost of the upgrade was worth it.

Initially, when I was used the Developer Preview back in September, I didn't realize I could shut down without logging off for about three days. Then when I did, everything basic fell into place, and I was able to use the Start Screen's better navigation. And now with the Consumer Preview of Windows 8, I already know the basics, and am learning of the new things Microsoft put into it. It's quite a system!

Honestly, if people are still using xp, upgrading to Windows 8 will be like, ZOOM! It's stupid fast! The Consumer Preview made me feel like I was using Windows 7 on a SSD most of the time, and I'm using a hard drive! Startup, shutdown, sleep and resume, and hibernate and resume are all faster. It literally takes a laptop, literally 1 second to resume and be already connected to wifi and back into the Desktop or Start Screen or where ever.

Setting that aside, just the Start Screen is enough to make me upgrade. Using it, the start menu just doesn't cut it anymore...

whs said:

You are right alphanumeric. I would not pay extra either just to get the Metro - there must be more meat on the bone. But I think that the Metro is actually easier for the average Joe who is no geek and only wants to run his/her few applications.

I have tested that with a group of seniors at my computer club and they confirmed my theory. They thought that the Metro would make their job easier.

I have a series of programs and apps installed on my 30 gig partition, and I find the Start Screen allows me organize my frequently used programs much easier and my non-frequently used programs faster and easier. Metro design isn't all that there is to Windows 8. There is still MUCH more to come. Windows 8 on a flash drive, probably built in Skyping, improved navigation, and the such.

alphanumeric said:

jimbo45 said:

Hi everyone
Perhaps we're asking the WRONG question here.

Instead of saying whether the UPGRADE is worth the price or not -- perhaps we should be asking --when you buy your NEXT computer will you STICK with W7 or Choose W8 as I'm sure by then an upgrade path will be available.

If you are happy TODAY on the computer(s) you are using and there isn't a "killer" feature on W8 that "You Must Have" then stick with the old OS.

I stayed for ages and ages with XP on one laptop -- it did everything I wanted and I couldn't be bothered to upgrade to W7. However when I got a NEW machine that was another issue.

Most of the threads here seem aimed at the UPGRADE market -- I think MS is changing the marketing strategy to appeal to the NEXT generation of NEW Windows users.

I can't see ANY business upgrading to W8 for years yet as some of them have barely started converting to W7 from XP --and I've still seen a few W2K servers around too!!!.

A lot of die hard users won't (predictably) like this version of Windows -- but you might find it appeals to a load of the current newer generation who seem to spend all day long staring into their mobile phones.

Big Market out there.

Cheers
jimbo

I build my desktop PCs myself, so the way it is now I'd buy Windows 7 if I built a new rig. At some point I would really like to get a tablet and if it came with Windows 8 preinstalled I'd give it a go. If I was buying a laptop I'm not so sure I'd want Windows 8 on it and if I had the option I think I'd go with Windows 7.

Considering that xp still has about 40 percent of OS marketshare, if I were in charge of a fleet of PCs in an enterprise, I would make the shift from xp to 8. Though there will be an initial learning curve, as comes with ANY new Windows OS, I would do it because a) Windows 8 actively manages any CPU's clock speed to reduce power consumption, b) it's compatible with new and old devices, c) it offers better networking abilities than 7 or xp, d) it offers better file navigation, e) it will still look pretty regardless of the age of the PC itself.

Gotta say when I was told repeatedly at MVP Summit that Win7 is now considered a dead OS by MS and all focus is on Win8, I was a little sick at my stomach. I did ask a few times why when they finally got it perfect they would be in a hurry to move on, which sounded a bit Luddite but I got a lot of nodding heads and shrugs.

I've been Dual Booting on it for a week and I like the Windows 7 parts of Win8 which seem just a tad quicker. But I have no use for Metro except to make it as painless of a Start page as possible. The revolving-wall trial apps mess were out the door in a day. And they plan to sell these?