Solved Here is the big Windows 8 question.

[Layback Bear]

Lots of people are going to get Windows 8 and some are in the process of doing that now.
For PC users what does Windows 8 give you that you really want or need over Windows 7. I understand that Tablet liking people it might be the hot setup. The question is not for the sake of argument but to gain knowledge. I and I think many others just don't get it. The why we should get Windows 8 for a PC.

 

[sectionate]

windows 8 actually uses my fx processor and provides considerable gains. The win 7 fx patch was useless. I'm not going to upgrade to 8, I'd rather wait for 9

 

[smarteyeball]

For PC users what does Windows 8 give you that you really want or need over Windows 7.

Very, very little for most. None for a lot.

I like the new explorer and dialogue/detail boxes. The explorer does add some extra functionality missing in seven, but not by much.

For those with mechanical HDD's, the improved boot time would be welcome - but if you have a SSD, the advantage is largely removed.


Personally, I think if you've got Seven - stick with it. 8's under the hood improvements simply are not strong enough to entice me to switch.

Others may have disagree completely.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

Pros

Improved perfomance

MEGA improved security -- no need for rubbish 3rd party FREE security programs.

Built in Virtual ISO mounting.

Touch screen interface (If you like that -- not for me though).

Automatic file "history" versioning -- you need to turn the feature on of course.

Backup that actually WORKS.

Better driver support -- haven't yet found hardware that W8 doesn't recognize - even stuff W7 couldn't find such as driver for Sony Pro dual stick reader on W7 x-64.

Easy system recovery if you "Break" the OS.


Cons

No hierarchial menu structure -- everything accessed via scrolling horizontally through loads of tiles.

Metro apps Hose up any sort of Multiple screen / multiple monitor operation since they work in SINGLE full screen mode.

It seems impossible to have more than one metro app open at the same time.
so if you want for example multiple windows open then you have do do it via the desktop.

Dubious value - for some a PRO for others a NO.

UI interface very similar to smartphones / tablets -- if you like this type of interface you *Might* like W8 -- but I really don't like it for doing REAL PC work -- such as multiple complex EXCEL spreadsheets or power point presentations where you really need multiple windows open at the same time on one or more monitors. It's dooable in W8 but messy compared with the Strat screen in W7.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Mark Phelps]

One personal observation that I feel obligated to add is that, at least in ONE situation, Win8 REMOVES driver support over Win7 -- and that is for folks like me that "foolishly" bought PCs or laptops using the infamous Intel 915GM chipset. That worked OK in Win7 because it they supported XPDM drivers. Win8 has REMOVED support for those drivers, so now, all we get is a "generic" driver. And that means that tablet functions like screen rotation, will NOT work for us in Win8.

Since I have no interest in using a touchscreen, then for me, Win8 is a "no brainer" -- like so many others, I'm staying with Win7.

 

[Britton30]

I tried the Developer Preview and the one before that. I personally see no use for it on a PC. w7 has support for touch screen if one needs/wants that.
I think it's all a marketing ploy by MS to sell their new tablet, Surface.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

...I think it's all a marketing ploy by MS to sell their new tablet, Surface.

What he said!

 

[Layback Bear]

I thank you all for your inputs and waiting for others inputs.

 

[whs]

I think jimbo45 summarized it pretty well. There is not really a whole lot of earth shattering new function. But they covered a few niches that needed enhancements. If you operate from a SSD, the performance difference will hardly be noticeable.

I find Windows8 is fun to operate but would not use it as my production system. But maybe one day I get a copy just to stay up-to-date.

 

[PaulGo]

I feel an good desktop OS should be functional and not get in the users way. The OS should not be a playground but a way to quickly get to the programs the user needs. Windows 8 fails in this while Windows 7 does an excellent job. When Microsoft realizes they should not be selling a dumbed down OS for the desktop that was designed for a tablet then I will purchase that OS.

 

[Alejandro85]

For PC users what does Windows 8 give you that you really want or need over Windows 7.

NOTHING. Nothing at all really, just lots of nice features removed versus a few useless toys added (and to be fair, some good things too, but the cons greatly surpass the pros). I tried the betas early on, and was really disappointed seeing a crippled OS designed specifically for a tablet advertised as being good for a PC. Not for me.

There is one legitimate use that I should look in the future. As I'm a developer, I'm supposed to test my programs on a variety of OSs, and that will include Win8, once people start downgrading to it, just to make sure it doesn't breaks anything. I guess most stuff will work flawlessly if it used to work on Win7 however, since they both uses the same kernel from Vista with a few eye candy differences only.