Windows 8 Launch news

I played with the beta, and wasn't impressed. It would probably really shine with a touchscreen (tablet), but it seems clunky on a desktop. I'll stick with Windows 7 until Windows 8 v2, aka Windows 9.

Windows takes after Star Trek movies... every other one sucks. 95 - ME - Vista...

 

Just bought a 2012 laptop with Windows 7, didn't wanna mess with 8...

 

I upgraded to Windows 8, dual booting with Windows 7. Since Windows 8 doesnt support Aero, the transparency "glass" does not effect Windows 8, which is a disappointment. I did get a third party Taskbar Transparency program, which applies an similar effect as Windows 7, although it transparents the icons on the Taskbar as well. I havnt found a transparency solution for actual windows yet. And StarDock's Window Blinds are not compatible with Windows 8.

I also downloaded a Start Button program that recreates pretty much the exact Windows 7 start menu. Theres also a "Metro" version that opens a "mini metro ui" of apps where the start menu would normally be. From the options of the start menu (Right clicking the button to get to the options) you can turn the Charms (annoyance on the right side of the screen) and Metro-multitasking (bigger annoyance on the left side of the screen) off so you dont accidently display them.

Some people dont like Windows booting to the "Metro UI". You can put the "Show Desktop" shortcut in the "Start Up" folder to boot to Desktop instead:
C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
"AppData" is hidden so you need to type it in the address bar or copy/paste the above address and replace <user name> with your user name. This does not bypass the "unlock screen" or "password screen", but shows the desktop after you enter your password rather than the Metro UI.

Just about all of my Windows 7 programs work with Windows 8. Since i keep the Taskbar on the left side of the screen instead of the bottom, if i get a W8 Tablet, the Taskbar will be accessible with my thumb.

So far ive nearly duplicated my Windows 7 interface onto Windows 8, aside from some minor visual elements from Aero. Productivity seems about the same. W8 Seems a bit snappier (a good thing). The difference is i get to use the Windows Store, and buy/download W8 apps. The apps are currently lacking, but G Maps app is nice as its full screen with no menu bars blocking the map.

All this negative hype about the "Metro UI" and ugly desktop is avoidable. You can also run Desktop and a Metro app side by side. Whether it be a Maps app, Email, notes, or something else. I honestly think Windows 8 has potential to be the new standard once app development increases like Android's did. Unlike iPad or Android, Windows 8 Pro can run existing Windows programs. Windows 8 Pro can also run Bluestacks, allowing you to use Android apps on your Windows 8 Pro tablet, though they are currently buggy.

My Windows 7 desktop:


And my Windows 8 desktop:

 

I am still running the consumer preview. I access everything through the Desktop app, essentially making it Windows 7. Touchscreen would be better suited than a conventional PC.

 

Same here. Been running the preview version on an old netbook. I actually really like Windows 8 on this old netbook because it really speeds it up strangely enough.

But I just got a new laptop with 7 that has a Blu-Ray burner. I wanted to get into editing and burning some HD video. I don't think they have Blu ray burners on any of the touchscreen devices yet. Of course all that is supposed to become obsolete with streaming and everything in the cloud.

Bur wait, for us truckers, streaming HD or any video in large amounts can be too costly at current data rates and we're not always in an area with good data coverage or wifi.

Yet I do like the look of a lot of these new devices. I believe it is the future. Businesses will eventually be able to integrate all of their devices with their employees running Office on tablets and large touch screen desk interfaces in their offices. You won't have a desk anymore, it will be a large touch surface.

 

that's too much work to make 8 user friendly like 7.

i have a hacked 7 that doesn't require the actrivation. it's loaded on a usb flash drive. so any new laptops i buy from here on out. will get wiped out and 7 installed. after i've gone through the boot up process so i can download the drivers to at least make the wifi work then get the rest of the drivers once 7 is loaded.

one of these days i'll have to make a second copy so i have one for home and one for the truck.

 

To try and continue the thread as Windows 8 is gaining some legs ...
IMO, there are two usage considerations
1- A true desktop workhorse
2- A true mobile device (notebook or tablet)

For truckers I'd think mobility would be important. I like Windows 7 on my desktop PC to run Lightroom, Photoshop, and X-Plane 10 and I like Win 7 but from what I can gather on Win 8, I will keep Win 7 on my desktop workhorse for the foreseeable future.

However, there is a lot of hype about the wake and connect time with Windows 8 as being much improved. This is why I have abandoned Windows 7/Vista for notebook device OS and moved to the MacBook Pro. the Mac wakes almost instantly, connects to WiFi and get's you to a point you can work almost instantly after raising the lid .. unlike Windows that takes forever to load, reacquire virtual disk space, load AV software, drivers, connect, verify, etc, etc, etc.

My question is to those who have Windows 8 on a fairly new notebook device. Do you like it for web browsing, and email and basic usage? Does it wake and connect to wifi quickly with any AV software you may have? I'm not concerned about boot up time from "off" as I will rarely shut a notebook down. I'm concerned with wake/connect time, only. If Windows notebook, loaded with requisite Av software can match the mobile performance of my Mac, I will be glad to consider purchasing a Win 8 notebook or probably tablet. Thanks in advance.

 

The quick wake time is hard drive, not os. My Samsung Chronos has a hybrid ss / disk drive. Wake time is instant with Win7.

On the Win8 interface, it seems more geared for touch. My main hesitation in trying it is how it will work with games. That and it just looks weird.


sent from my EVO4gLTE
OCed and MEAN