Windows 8 - what do people think?

MarkB4 on 01/06/2013 - 01:37

I have read some negative reports this OS is basically for smartphone/touchscreen tech and have been reluctant to go near it, being so used to XP.

Thing is Dell have some great deals but their promoted desktops (Is what I'm looking for) only come with Win 8. Like this - http://configure.ap.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=w21022… If in fact it's a deal, not particularly savvy on these things. Even tried their Chat but couldn't convince 'em to give me Win7 Pro with it (with XP mode).

What do people here think of Win 8? Would be interested to know.

Computing

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 01/06/2013 - 01:53
    +5

    I've been using Windows 8 for 5 months now and find it no different to Windows 7 once you have installed Classic Shell / Start is Back / Pokki / other start menu alternative. I highly recommend Start is Back. Costs $3 bucks for 2 licenses, but it's worth every cent.

    Windows 8 is nothing like what people make it out to be — it's a rock solid OS that performs quickly and boots in a hurry.
    It beats Windows 7 boot times by a very significant margin.

    If you are using legacy software that only works in Windows XP, then I suggest you either stay with Windows 7 or learn to operate a virtual machine.

    • ozhunter on 01/06/2013 - 03:34
      +5

      I used it for 3 months and still couldn't get used to it. I went back to windows 7. Had pokki installed from day 2. I tried to get used to it, but when I reinstalled Win7, it was such a relief,. Though I am willing to give it another try later on.

      Boot and shut down times are very fast and the OS as a whole feels more snappy. But apart from that I see no real reason to use windows 8.

      My guess is Microsoft designed it with the metro UI to increase their tablet sales as they think people would like a tablet with a familiar UI.

    • sev snape on 01/06/2013 - 21:26
      +2

      I just installed Start is Back - I can't believe what a feeling of comfort and relief washed over me to click on a start button to see my programs. I really like the speed and snappiness of Win8, but I just could not get my head used to the metro layout and the feeling that I couldn't see anything. Relief. I've been using it for about a month.

      • Macgyver on 02/06/2013 - 16:55
        +2

        I don't know why Microsoft don't give you the option of putting the start button back?

        Its silly that they didn't include it and still haven't.

        • r3volt on 02/06/2013 - 22:45

          I thought i heard they are adding it back with SP1 or something along them lines. Ill wait until they make the effort to change it before i make the switch from 7.

        • socceroos123 on 03/06/2013 - 10:49
          +1

          They're pretending to bring it back as a PR stunt - but in reality they're just putting a button there that takes you back to the Metro UI. No change. =[

        • Plasma Ball on 27/06/2013 - 22:26

          But that's what the start button was? People were all complaining about the "button" and not the menu. Two totally different things.

  • MarkB4 on 01/06/2013 - 02:19
    +1

    Thanks for that Scrim, much appreciated, the 'Start is back' is useful. I have also read it is a good OS if you are willing to learn a new system and dump established user patterns. I also read programs on XP can't be transferred/imported to Win 8 in an upgrade which makes at least a weeks work for me, if I could reproduce it.

    'Legacy' software is an interesting concept, everything I use is current and I wouldn't want to lose it. I know, you can get used to anything but I have enough difficulty keeping up with what I have now. Age does that you know … :)

    • jimbobaus on 01/06/2013 - 03:35

      Windows 8.1 is coming and apparently Start menu and auto load to desktop will be options.
      It will be a free update to anyone with Win 8

      • pjcook on 01/06/2013 - 09:19
        +1

        No the start menu is not back, just a start button that takes you back to the metro screen.

        • jimbobaus on 01/06/2013 - 11:36
          +1

          Nothing has actually been confirmed as yet.
          The ability to start In desktop view and a quick access to program's and software button is all that's been confirmed.

  • tonyjzx on 01/06/2013 - 04:28

    i could not stand win8 on release but i tried it again on a laptop… and older one and the speed difference is marked compared to win7

    i didnt bother to install a start button but i use the CLI to fire up stuff i hit often (control.exe etc.)

    with this metro does not bother me (I know there's a delicious irony to using the cmd to counter metro)

    i think at this rate, the sheer speed of win8 is making me not want to ever install win7 ever again and i like win7

  • tooblue on 01/06/2013 - 12:13
    +1

    I will stick with XP until version 9's release.

    • scrimshaw on 01/06/2013 - 13:52
      +2

      I suspect Windows 9 will be fairly similar to Windows 8 in terms of look and feel. Microsoft wants people (and manufacturers) to embrace touch. Very unlikely for them to bring back the classic start menu ever again.

      Also — You have less than a year remaining before Windows XP stops receiving updates. View deadline here.

      This would be a good time as any to get familiarised with the new windows

      • MarkB4 on 27/06/2013 - 23:09

        Yes, but 'touch' is not for everyone. I can't/won't use it for image editing for instance, or anything else that requires a clean screen. There has to be an alternative that isn't primarily 'touch' dominant.

  • grog on 01/06/2013 - 13:57
    +3

    I have been using win 8 exclusive on my main pc for 6 months.

    I see "metro" once every day for about 5 seconds until i hit "Win key and D" This takes me straight to the desktop.

    To close down hit "win key C" then shut down.

    In the task bar i have pinned control panel and my browsers plus things like sound recorder or other often used apps.

    2 new folders on the desktop "internet" and "tools" or "utils"[ see below} contain all my internet shortcuts that i made from inside each program folder in file explorer.

    Then i have 2 toolbars near the clock containing the internet stuff and a "utils" toolbar containing ccleaner etc.

    A "desktop' toolbar contains all the shortcuts on the desktop and access to documents etc.

    So i boot, then to desktop within a few seconds, win+c to charms bar to shutdown.

    Win+E for file explorer.

    Win+R for "run" command line.

    Win+K for devices

    Win+w for search

    and many other Win+ hotkeys.

    To see metro on this pc is a very rare event.

    • MarkB4 on 27/06/2013 - 23:13

      There you go; I, and many other PC users, don't know what you are talking about and are reluctant to start on an alien OS, as alien as Win 8 is to what has gone before. I'm biding my time until XP is redundant and will probably go with Win 7 and XP mode - so back to XP? :)

  • MarkB4 on 01/06/2013 - 23:13

    It looks like the jury is divided on Win 8. I too think the OS was designed with tablets or touch screens in mind and that doesn't suit me at all. You guys obviously know your business but I am also suspicious with the way pre-built PC's push Win 8 having no option to change - with Dell anyway.

    It also seems Metro - whatever - is being circumvented to get back older functions so it may be MS will take that on board with future releases/updates/options?

    I'll have to look into it more.

  • ethereal88 on 02/06/2013 - 08:09

    Obvious choice for an OS - development is now focussed on 8, XP is dying and officially dead next year, and 7 will increasingly fade over the years. I don't even bother with a start menu replacement. The best way to use 8 is to jump in and get used to it. The Modern UI is not going anywhere.

    I only had issues with the built in Win 8 XHCI drivers, I had to manually install Intel's unsigned Win 7 USB 3 drivers with a modified .inf to get better USB 3 speeds - 35% increase. Otherwise, its all good. Win 8 is also faster period - its built for modern cores and SSD's. You can pick it up for $99 for an OEM version that can now be reinstalled as many times as long as you want too at a single time.

  • mgrogan on 02/06/2013 - 09:17

    I love Windows 8 on my new desktop.
    Like others, I installed Classic Shell.
    I had a new install of Win 8. Installing software as I needed them (I did have lots of unnecessary programs on my Win 7 desktop) and copying across my Win 7 data.
    It would have been the most painless "upgrade" I've ever done (from the DOS years). Automatically installing all the drivers for the attached hardware except for an old printer, that I had to manually install.
    Apart from performance, there are a few things that are very useful to me, eg after editing images, thumbnails are updated automatically.
    I do have one legacy program, using Access 2, that I will install a virtual machine for later on (for which I used "XP Mode" on the Win 7 PC).
    I have all my short cuts in the task bar, and Quick Launch so it looks and feels like Win 7 to me, but just so much better!!

    • tooblue on 02/06/2013 - 16:52
      +4

      "I love Windows 8 on my new desktop.
      Like others, I installed Classic Shell.
      "

      Ironic

  • snakes on 02/06/2013 - 16:48
    +2

    Even those that praise win 8 only do so because they were able to make it more like win 7…..

    Win 7 is a desktop os, Win 8 is a lame attempt to force touchscreen controls.

    Stick with win 7.

    • Duff5000 on 06/06/2013 - 22:28

      Er, i went from 7 to 8. I havent put any start replacement tools on.

      I figured i would try using the OS as it was built for a week before i went fiddling with it. In a few days i found no use for a start button.

      go to the top right click search on the bar that pops up. All your programs show like they would in the start menu.

      Go to the bottom right, right click and you get most other options you could want. (control panel, run, search, device manager ect)

      If you put the desktop icon in metro as the top left icon you can just login and hit enter one more time to go to the desktop. No big deal. Start to desktop should be an option but hitting enter twice instead of once after putting a password in isnt a big deal. I would take than anyday to have the speed difference between 7 and 8.

  • derman on 02/06/2013 - 17:41
    +4

    Seriously in Win 7 I would rarely use the start menu as anything other than a glorified search box. Hit Windows Key, Type Name of application and boom! And now in Win 8 the metro screen is just that, a giant glorified search box which is triggered in the exact same way as Win 7!

    I've got keyboard shortcuts setup for applications I use frequently and everything else can be found with searching.
    If you actually have to "look" for something in your start menu because you've forgotten what it's called or whatever it probably doesn't need to be installed on your computer anyway.

    The only annoying thing about Win 8 is not being able to boot straight to the desktop but hitting the Windows Key + D really isn't that hard… And of course there are a zillion ways to automate that shortcut.

    • Marrk on 02/06/2013 - 21:57
      +1

      Don't know why people kick up such a fuss about Windows not booting straight into the desktop, seems petty to me. Clicking on 'Google Chrome' in the taskbar and in the start screen are more or less the same thing.

      • Shirty Grizzly on 04/06/2013 - 13:10

        This! I have my Programs that I use set up on my start screen. When it boots up. Click on the program straight to desktop and opens my program too! I love the new design and will be keeping it even with the option to boot to desktop.

  • Marrk on 02/06/2013 - 21:53

    Windows 7 and Windows 8 aren't really that different, once you get over the start screen.

    • tyler.durden on 03/06/2013 - 10:24
      +1

      windows 8 is more ugly

      plain solid colors
      Settings/buttons in the tablet UI are just block of plain color

      1 part tablet UI
      1 part desktop UI

      Result = a big mess jumping between the two UI.

      Most of the default apps need microsoft accounts.

      I also think mail app
      does not support gmail etc..

      • hubertlam on 03/06/2013 - 10:35

        THat's Gmail's problem for shutting down Exchange ActiveSync….

      • tyler.durden on 03/06/2013 - 10:42
        +1

        Tablet UI should not be forced on to the desktop user.

        OSX does it better.
        They put the ios launcher, but they don't force it on the desktop user.
        It's there in the background if you want it.

        Giving tablet UI a higher priority would kill the desktop market.
        Which is what is happening here.
        They did this to try to sell more of the tablets and phones, which is also failure..

        Also we want the full functioning start button, not just a stupid launcher icon.
        Also their market research was a load of bullshit (about customers no longer using the start button)

        —
        The start menu is also crap.
        There is no way to organize it into folders.
        It is harder to scroll long list to look for the apps.

        Shutdown is a pain in the ass.

        • Shirty Grizzly on 04/06/2013 - 13:12

          Although there are no "folders" You can split them up into "groups" I have my Game Clients (plus a few select games) in one group.
          Then my CS6 applications make up another seperate group. etc

  • exc3113nce on 03/06/2013 - 08:45
    +2

    I have been using windows 8 for a while now and I love it.

    The greatest feature to me is the accessibility.

    Start Key + Q, Start Key + W, Start Key + E and Start Key + D - all you need to use the computer.

  • mskram on 03/06/2013 - 11:27
    +1

    Honestly I prefer Windows 8, I find it is more optimised for hotkeys. I don't miss the start menu and I haven't tried to bring it back, I've just learnt to use the new menu. Pressing the windows key then starting to type what program I need to run is quicker anyway.

    If you're willing to learn the basics of Windows 8 I find it is more productive than Windows 7. However, if you're going to complain about the fact it has decided to change, and aren't willing to learn then stick with Windows 7

  • mistergoodwin on 03/06/2013 - 12:42
    +2

    Windows 8 is at most disoreintating, especially if you use only one monitor and are always multitasking, Multitasking between metro and desktop is terrible, even with snap. The fullscreen metro menu can be distracting and put a fair amount of stress on your eyes if there is a big contrast difference (choose a white background for metro if you work on documents or mostly browse!). One thing I quite disliked was win+w brings up the search setting charm instead of closing the active app; you still have to use the awkward alt-f4 combo (using one hand feels slightly retarded to do this).

    Win+Shift+period Snaps an app to the left
    Win+period Snaps an app to the right

    Did we not all not just get used to win+left, win+right?? I would rather it be win+left and right for windowed (desktop apps) and win+ctrl+left and right for metro apps.

    Another thing, metro should have a permanent clock in the damn corner where there is nothing! When i first saw the metro interface i thought great this could be a very useful grid of information but some basics like Time are missing, more apps need to display information on the tiles.

  • cheepwun on 04/06/2013 - 09:17
    +1

    Windows 8 is proof that Microsoft is scared of the success of i-Devices and Android.
    It is trying to be finger-friendly touch and yet a precise full-featured desktop at the same time. It does neither well.

    It's a mish-mash of touch concepts with full desktop functionality and each approach is at odds with the other; there are several inconsistencies and broken UI concepts. Some consider it a colossal failure. Those poor laptop manufacturers are among them.

    It is a poorly thought-out operating system and the result of fear and an rushed impaired vision. The whole touch thing comes across as very bolted-on.

    It never ceases to amaze me just how quickly management can rush out something like this for fear of losing money in a segment where their monopolistic practices through the years have guaranteed them first position no matter what they put out.

    • tonyjzx on 06/06/2013 - 14:38

      i'm not sure about that

      windows has a place, it always will since its the mcdonalds of operating systems

      microsoft are big enough that they can bulldoze anything and people will take it

      one thing i note is that almost every PC maker has included a "Getting Started with Win8 Guide" with their new stuff… if you need such a manual surely there's something wrong?

      underneath i think win8 is actually very good, its lean its fast, there's some very good stuff going on thats worth it over win7

      HOWEVER yes, metro and the whole "xbox-isation" of everything isnt great - you can see how arrogant MS are with the Xbox One intro, this is really a company that does not respect users

      i do however look forward to see how Blue changes stuff

  • tanksinatra on 06/06/2013 - 13:19

    I've never used Windows 8 personally but I remember that one of the guys at a LAN couldn't play some of the older games with us because they CTD'd in windows 8.

  • Forfiet on 06/06/2013 - 23:35

    I have win 8 on a new Dell 17R laptop, only really use it for testing my new games preformance on it and purchasing stuff on the net. Ive just installed Startisback on it and it feels much better, but it is still essentially win 7 with a crappy UI. Metro is better on the surface pro then on a standard computer.

  • MarkB4 on 27/06/2013 - 16:57
    +1

    Just came across this : http://www.pcworld.com/article/2042731/windows-8-1-is-ready-…

    Quote _ "Based on the information currently available, we believe Windows 8.1 features could quiet most of its detractors,"

    Check comments too. What do you think?

    PS And just a thought; does it occur to anyone MS might be designing OS with NSA access in mind - given their hand in glove co-operation with Prism - revealed by Edward Snowden. Just a thought, would be good to get some feedback on - paranoid no, cautious yes. :)

    • scrimshaw on 27/06/2013 - 22:45
      +1

      Windows 8.1 Preview is already out. You can test drive it by downloading it:
      http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/download-previe…

      The Start Button is back, but the Start Menu is still missing. QUOTE from reviewer:
      A single tap brings you back to the "Modern" interface, instead of the traditional Start menu, which used to bring up a whole host of convenient items like recent programs and commonly used folders.An extended press brings up a list of complex settings functions - the kind that most people would probably rather leave to their tech department if they are fortunate enough to have one.

      So, instead of bringing back a familiar environment, the revived "Start" button is mainly just another way of directing you to the new one.

      Just a thought, would be good to get some feedback on - paranoid no, cautious yes. :)

      There's an even greater threat to your privacy and it's called Facebook, and Google. I think you should be worrying about those 2 first…

      • MarkB4 on 27/06/2013 - 23:18
        +1

        Ha! I have been news watching too. I only use google for non sensitive actions, don't go near FB.

        Yes, the start button is purely cosmetic. And to reference another point you made; I don't have an IT dept. So I'm looking for an easy transition from XP and as I said above will probably go with Win 7 + XP mode. I'm one of those who only retain what I use frequently and really don't want major change foisted on me as Win 8 seems to be - obviously not for tech savvy people.

    • KiLLUMiN4Ti on 27/06/2013 - 23:35

      if your not paranoid you're not paying attention ;)

  • deltakilo on 28/06/2013 - 17:46

    Craving old faithfull Start Menu & Desktop as per Win7?

    Seems there's a simple registry hack to do it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CAuvlmPbJE

    • scrimshaw on 28/06/2013 - 18:00

      That video is from 2011 and only works for the Developer preview…

  • chloden on 28/06/2013 - 18:08
    -1

    Hate it almost as much as I hate Kevin Rudd

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