Thoughts on windows 8?

[Skylais]

I attempted to use windows 8 for about 2 days. I absolutely hate it, and will really have trouble switching over from windows 7. Lots of programs or "apps", need some sort of account branched from Microsoft. The app store i find is extremely caged, as in maybe they are attempting to replace programs with apps. This i find bad, because apps have tendency to cost. I am not sure, just not comfortable with windows 8. Your thoughts on the new os?

 

[pparks1]

Well, many programs also cost. Just as there are free programs, there will be free apps.

Overall it's not bad, but not really suited that wonderfully to a desktop/laptop computer. Metro isn't wonderful in these environments. I don't anticipate spending any of my own money on Windows 8.

 

[Skylais]

nice point, and yes i agree.. It's not built for a desk/lap, and personally the new surface tablet does not appeal to me either. Although I do wish Microsoft the best with the direction they are headed.

 

[pparks1]

I'm actually interested in the surface tablet. For me, tablets have always been like toys, and I've used quite a number of them. (Kindle fire, Asus Transformer, Samsung Galaxy Tab 10" and 7" and iPad). These devices were always supplements to a real computer and worked in a pinch, but they weren't good for me at all with long term use. Spending upwards of $500 on a tablet that won't run "real computer programs" to me just wasn't appealing. With the Windows tablet, it's the first real option to have a tablet and a computer, all in one.

 

[Skylais]

Another good point you have - comp./tablet
that actually don't sound to bad
i don't know, i might give it a shot a few years from now

 

[Night Hawk]

The next version has some other issues to be worked besides the Metro. The CP was actually on here longer then the RP simply from problems seen when setting things up as a dual boot to see the types of problems if any you might run into.

When first adding the boot entry into the previous 7 install the need to use the 8 Automatic repair as it now called(Startup repair Vista/7) the 8 mbr entries went onto the 7 host to allow you to boot into the CP at the time. That also went onto VM Player easily.

The RP on the other hand would not install on VM Player but only the latest VirtualBox. When setting the second RP drive as the default boot drive problems began with freeze ups upon reaching the desktop after or not needing to click the desktop button. Sometimes the desktop would load up on it's own.

Finally when refreshing the 8 install using the new Refresh PC option where the 8 dvd is then required you won't find a repair install when selecting to save all data. The Windows.old is seen while all programs installed are simply found as folders in that. It's not any repair install option seen there.

The refresh automatically saw 7 added in as a boot option where when selecting to load 7 instead of the usual 7 logo screen loading immediately as others have also found the system sees a full restart. Then the fresh ups began with 7! One memory dump revealed "ntoskmi.exe" error being a common issue going back to 2000.

Correct the 7 issues with a run of the Check Disk tool and later change from Native ide to AHCI and 7 runs smooth as silk. On the other hand the RP failed to load! when going to remove the 7 boot entry. Drive wipe time! The RP is still on a VM however for trying out a few ideas there to find a way to disable the Metro. But the need for any 3rd party app for a Start>Programs menu is certainly an objection by many.

Apparently MS didn't follow the success trail seen with 7 and ventured off into the mobile market leaving the desktop user behind up until now as far as 8 is concerned. The retail 8 may still be holding some surprises however not included in the DP, CP, and RP builds since they are promoting Metro presently as far as what type of set up options if any will be included in the finished product.

Hopefully some "common sense" will be in use there where you see two options one being for a more standard desktop over simply jamming Metro as the new desktop gui! That would turn 8 into an immediate Flop!

 

[pparks1]

Apparently MS didn't follow the success trail seen with 7 and ventured off into the mobile market leaving the desktop user behind up until now as far as 8 is concerned. The retail 8 may still be holding some surprises however not included in the DP, CP, and RP builds since they are promoting Metro presently as far as what type of set up options if any will be included in the finished product.

Consider historically how Microsoft has been behind the curve in many areas. The Internet, cloud based email, their search engine, their zune music device, their mobile phone, etc. I think they are trying here to make a strong push to actually be ahead of the curve on this one. Now whether this all pans out is a different story, but I can sure see what they are trying to do, and having the "same" system on multiple devices makes sense to somebody like me and has been a reason historically that tablets have been all that appealing.

 

[Bongo]

 

[windude99]

I run Windows 7 on my main pcs, and Vista and XP (and Windows 98 on one pc that isn't used except for running old, old games) and will not upgrade (more like downgrade) any of them to Windows 8. A few days ago, I bought an Android tablet knowing that Windows 8 is coming out in a few (or several) months because Android is better than Windows 8. I can customize it a bunch with custom launchers, widgets, motion wallpapers, and much more if I root the device. Windows 8's Metro interface doesn't even come close to that customization power. I know the desktop can be customized more (but what's the point of having the desktop on Windows 8 tablets if none of the x86 aps will run on it) but on the tablet I am not going to use the desktop. I am going to use apps. Also, good luck trying to dual boot Windows 8 pcs that have UEFI (with UEFI not being able to be turned off depending on the OEM)
When will Microsoft learn...

 

[whs]

I have played with Win8 since it first was available, had a lot of fun and was able to do everything I wanted to do. Last week I uninstalled them all (except one in Virtual Box). On a PC, it is not ready for prime time. It is just too cumbersome.

 

[Borg 386]

My thoughts are I'll wait for the next Windows Version & see what that looks like.

 

[Night Hawk]

I think many are making the same decision of a wait for the next rather then rushing at 8. Most do find the drastic gui changes a bit too awkward to begin with and then the need to add some 3rd party apps on to replace what MS is removing besides the Start orb, Programs menu, shutdown options wrapped into one dropdown list.

For seeing a boot entry for 7 added into the 8 BCD it's not advised in any form as that can easily result in drive errors on both 7 and 8. 8 is a different animal to work with and needs to be kept separate from 7, Vista, XP, 2000 as far as adding boot entries in. When you install the RP that is.

The CP on the other hand seemed to run better for many who also ended up seeing problems with the RP. It seems MS is going backwards with 8 in that regard! The 7/8 CP dual boot in contrast never ran into any Windows freeze ups when loading 7 from that build's boot options while the RP trashed 7! Grrrrr...

Fortunately the clean install of 7 this was seen with had only recently went on after replacing the previous 2yr. old installation where the scheduled run of Check Disk solved it for 7. The memory dump from a hard boot revealed the dual boot as the source of the problem however.

This was a first for seeing for seeing the "ntoskmi" error with any previous dual boot setup showing 8 being problematic in more ways then one. Personally 7 has been doing everything I will be needing for some time to come where a wait to see if MS rethinks their OS strategy a bit for what will be in store for what comes after will be watched.