Windows 8, yes or no?

[Zach1928]

Whats up peeps, I'm trying to decide whether or not to upgrade my windows 7 to windows 8. I installed 8 on a partition and it seems like a nice OS and seems to be quicker than 7, but I'd like some input from people because the only reason it seems to have been a "flop" is because no one was expecting a completely different UI. But as far as performance goes, it seems to be less of a resource hog, and generally better on battery life for laptops and it seems to start up/shutdown and wake up faster than windows 7.

 

[x BlueRobot]

Windows 8 has had some improvements made to the kernel, however, I believe the faster boot is due to the fact, that Windows 8 enters more of a sleep mode by default, rather than a complete shut down state (I may be wrong).

Windows 8 also has many features cut out, for instance I don't think you can play videos natively within Windows.

I don't like the fact, you need to create a Windows Live account to create a new user, I wonder where that information is being sent to..

 

[AddRAM]

No, don`t do it

 

[whs]

Yes it is faster if you operate the OS from a HDD. If you operate from a SSD, there is quasi no advantage over Windows 7.

I have decided not to use Windows 8 - although I have one Windows 8 running in a virtual partition. But I don't really do anything with it - just the updates.

I do not like the new UI (too awkward to use) and I don't want to wrestle with the UEFI. But if you get along with those and don't have to make an extra investment, Windows 8 is probably OK. Just stay away from those tablet applications. The apps store is a joke.

 

[gregrocker]

I think the decision should be made based on what you use the PC for. If you use it mostly for social media browsing and appreciate an IPhone/IPad interface to navigate, then its worth trying.

But if you depend upon a stable desktop environment for productive work then I'd keep with Win7 which fully evolved to a perfect desktop experience, something which MS was known for and relied upon for but which is almost completely sacrificed in Win8.

 

[Zach1928]

I use my laptop for school and playing games on and the upgrade assistant said mostly all of my stuff will be fine after upgrading. Can anyone confirm if you get a decent amount of power efficiency out of it? Because after two years my battery is like at 55% of its original retention so if I could get like an extra half our or more out of the battery it'd be almost worth it. And like the Metro UI doesn't seem to bad- though I did see you can load the windows 7 shell into it and lose the metro all together

 

[x BlueRobot]

I'm not sure about the Power Efficiency with Windows 8, but to improve your battery life with Windows 7 you could change your Power Plan Options. It also depends upon what you doing, for example playing games is going to require much more power from your hardware.

 

[Layback Bear]

Zack with a battery in that condition I recommend concerning yourself with getting a new battery. Once a battery gets that poor it will go downhill very fast.

 

[Zach1928]

I have been looking into the batteries, but cost a pretty penny from Dell, and I dunno how good the replacements are off ebay.. but back to W8 v. 7, does anyone else have any experience with the two side by side? It just seems like people were just shocked by the UI

 

[SIW2]

I don't notice any difference in speed betwwen 7 and 8 , if that is the question.

Hard for me to judge as I have been using Linux recently, which is much more efficient, more secure and faster.

 

[x BlueRobot]

I've used Windows 8 for a few months on my step-brother's laptop, and have found it to very awkward and irritating to use in comparison to the Windows 7; the hidden menus etc. Windows 8 is not much faster than Windows 7 to be honest.

 

[Zach1928]

I don't notice any difference in speed betwwen 7 and 8 , if that is the question.

Hard for me to judge as I have been using Linux recently, which is much more efficient, more secure and faster.

Linux is great except for the compatability issues and sending a document to someone that's in .odt for makes Office think its a virus haha. I had an Ubuntu partition for a little while

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
Use whatever you prefer -- there ARE actually some good features in W8 but for typical offices etc Windows 7 will certainly be around for YEARS yet (and why not -- it works, is a good OS and does the job required of it).

Where W7 is likely to be let down is in possibly these areas

1) Security -- W8/ W8.1 have the security built right into the kernel of the OS making it theoretically much more secure. W7 needs "Addons" to provide sensible security -- whether MSE or a 3rd party external service.

2) Code efficiency -- the later OS is likely to perform better and take advantage of newer faster hardware - for instance it can implement some of the microcode in the newer CPU's such as HASWELL. (The OS can tell whether particular CPU instructions exist or not --if the new instructions don't exist then the OS code will use alternate routines that have older less efficient instructions in them -- this is how for example XP can still run on quite modern hardware --providing you can find SATA drivers so XP can actually FIND HDD's in the system. !!)

3) If you like Touch then as we all know Touch on W7 is a bit of a dog if you can get it to work at all -- on W8 it's provided for at the outset.

4) This might be a disadvantage to some but for others this is a worthwhile feature -- common interface across a whole load of devices thereby enabling "Sync" etc much easier than with W7 -- for example if you are working on a collaboration project or you want online instant messaging whether you use a a PC / Smartphone / tablet etc W8 makes this easy. It's not impossible in W7 but W8 makes this type of activity a lot easier if different sorts of devices are involved.

In Europe at least TEXTING is on the way out -- it's all instant chat and messaging now -- even for Customer service thank goodness those HIDEOUS call centers with their endless menuing systems are also on the way out too - and the people at the other end can actually ANSWER questions rather than read from prepared scripts.

So it's your choice of course -- W8 needs some changes on YOUR part to get it to operate reasonably like W7 -- maybe it shouldn't but that's the state of play currently. If you are prepared to invest a little time and effort then W8 and better W8.1 when it's released later this year (the current version is only in PREVIEW) is probably worth an upgrade - especially now you can boot directly to the desktop.

Currently for some people upgrading won't deliver any tangible benefits -- so stay with W7 -- however I'm sure curiosity in any case will cause a lot to at least TRY it (and don't give up after the first 10 minutes either).

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Phone Man]

Windows 8 has had some improvements made to the kernel, however, I believe the faster boot is due to the fact, that Windows 8 enters more of a sleep mode by default, rather than a complete shut down state (I may be wrong).

Windows 8 also has many features cut out, for instance I don't think you can play videos natively within Windows.

I don't like the fact, you need to create a Windows Live account to create a new user, I wonder where that information is being sent to..

Just a little clarification on your post.

1) W8 uses a partial hibernate function when it shuts down. It just saves the system part to allow a faster boot.

2) W8 wont play DVD's but other video files are fine. MS was paying a license fee for the DVD codex on every system and a lot of people were using other programs to play DVD's. MS does offer Windows Media Center (with included codex) for a $10 fee for those that want it.

3) A Windows Live account is not needed to install or run W8. When installing W8 you can select to install a Local Account. A Windows Live account is used for some apps in the Windows Store and for some features like syncing with another computer.

The interface takes some getting use to but after a while it is fine and can be personalized to your needs. I like it but not everyone does.

Jim

 

[Zach1928]

Jim, are you running on a laptop or desktop? Because it seems like the metro is more fluid with the two finger gestures on a touchpad. Also, anyone know if loading like a whindows 7 shell would reduce performance?

 

[gregrocker]

My experience with Windows 7 explorer for Windows 8 is it performs exactly like Win7 with a replica Start menu and Explorer with the Win8 improvements. It toggles off Metro.

However the buggy 8 crApps are still default until you uninstall and/or change them to your choice of Reader, Player, Email, etc.

Time and again I've done this for side-by-side comparison and always realize that with all of this work it can be made to run about the same as Win7. But why should anyone have to go through that? It takes hours. I never go back to Win8 and eventually delete its partition.

 

[Faladu]

If it's not a tablet/touch PC then for me this is an easy skip, haven't seen any reason for a Windows 7 user to be chomping at the bit to get Windows 8, otherwise, other than someone who has to support it, to make a living.

Besides I spent over $300 on Windows 7 Ultimate, I need my $'s worth. :haha:

Plus I fear some stuff I use having compatibility issues, so without a good reason to upgrade, it's a very easy pass.

If you want to try it, you can install a 90 day trial copy, just connect some old hard drive by itself after you burn the install DVD and give it a try.

 

[M1GU31]

It's ok, I can live with it but since I have windows 7 I don't have to. I rather have 7 if given the option. If it wasn't for compatibly issues with my video games thus giving less fps at times or not working,I would probably be running linux right now. My pc is mainly used for gaming,internet and the occasional school work I get at times.All and all it's personal preference, what ever you are more comfortable with.

 

[Zach1928]

Alright well from the sounds of it, its not worth the hassle and I guess this answered my question haha. On an unrelated note, how easy is it to configure remote access built into windows? I want to be able to maintain my parents computer in another state (has w7 ult) and i can get w7 pro for free thru school

 

[theveterans]

However the buggy 8 crApps are still default until you uninstall and/or change them to your choice of Reader, Player, Email, etc.

At least with Windows Server 2012, it doesn't have those crApps installed. Then again, it's not practical to use Server OS as a Client OS.