Windows 8

[scblack]

I am about to replace my home laptop, and can get plenty of options for good pricing (found a reasonable one for $330 after redemption on Bing Lee).

However, they unfortunately have Windows 8, which we all know has not been received well. I am pretty useful with a computer, but farked if I am a programmer or IT admin who is happy to spend shitloads of time playing with the tiles, or finding the hidden buttons, or swiping the screen from top to bottom. I just want an easy to use system that does what I need - like Windows 7.

Is 8.1 enough of a step up in usability for me to bother buying a laptop? Or am I better to wait longer until microsoft gives me what I want - an easy OS, not a hybrid tablet/desktop mishmash?

And how long will that wait be?

Been reading a little on Whirlpool, and you can count me as one user who has NOT bought a computer lately due to Windows 8.

 

[3viltoast3r]

Install Linux if you don't need professional software - W7 if you do.. Just my 2 cents worth

 

[mitchy_]

windows 8 aint so bad.

you can use this to get the button back until 8.1 is released.

http://www.stardock.com/products/start8/

 

[Plankosaurus]

yup, my single big problem with windows 8 is the removal of the start bar and the forcing of the metro interface. grab one of the many start bar programs out there and you have a usable computer again (i use classic shell). windows 8 is a better OS than 7, they just effed themselves with the whole "everyone will buy computers in tablet form from now on" thought process. who do they think they are, apple???

 

[indica]

Win 8 is fine after a few days.
Just use the desktop tile and go from there.
Linux Mint is better though.

 

[MasterOfReality]

I have been using Win 8 for a few months and don't really like it.

I'm using a Asus Taichi, which is a hybrid touchscreen/laptop thing so I guess the tiles do suit the touchscreen but to use the software I normally use it takes you to the traditional desktop screen when launching.

Can I make Windows boot to the traditional desktop, instead of stuffing around flipping between the two?

 

[wombat]

I am about to replace my home laptop, and can get plenty of options for good pricing (found a reasonable one for $330 after redemption on Bing Lee).

However, they unfortunately have Windows 8, which we all know has not been received well. I am pretty useful with a computer, but farked if I am a programmer or IT admin who is happy to spend shitloads of time playing with the tiles, or finding the hidden buttons, or swiping the screen from top to bottom. I just want an easy to use system that does what I need - like Windows 7.

Is 8.1 enough of a step up in usability for me to bother buying a laptop? Or am I better to wait longer until microsoft gives me what I want - an easy OS, not a hybrid tablet/desktop mishmash?

And how long will that wait be?

Been reading a little on Whirlpool, and you can count me as one user who has NOT bought a computer lately due to Windows 8.

What are you going to be using the computer for? For typical browsing / entertainment stuff I think win8 is fine, IF you have a touchscreen. If you're using a mouse only, then it's a pretty shitty UI, and it wouldn't be my choice for work either, but for home I don't think it's necessarily that bad.

 

[jackass'd]

8.1 comes out next week, so that might help sort usability out.

Also there is a program you can install from windows that gives you some features from windows 7 that suck in windows 8.

 

[ajay]

8.1 comes out next week, so that might help sort usability out.

Also there is a program you can install from windows that gives you some features from windows 7 that suck in windows 8.

Haha, sounds like Vista/2000.

 

[scblack]

What are you going to be using the computer for? For typical browsing / entertainment stuff I think win8 is fine, IF you have a touchscreen. If you're using a mouse only, then it's a pretty shitty UI, and it wouldn't be my choice for work either, but for home I don't think it's necessarily that bad.

Typical home stuff for the wife and two kids. Plus my work stuff - nothing too onerous though, spreadsheets, remote access to work, skyping, but now I've got a HDMI tv port sure I'll start downloading some tv shows and movies. Watching world cups of course.

Thats a thought - how alien is it going to be for a 6 and 8 year old to get on and use?

 

[wombat]

Thats a thought - how alien is it going to be for a 6 and 8 year old to get on and use?

I haven't spent that much time with 8, but I did set up a computer for some friends, an older pair who aren't terribly computer savvy, so probably quite similar to your kids!

I actually think that for kids, metro is probably an ideal UI (on a touch device). You can definately see the similarities between it and android / ios, with the tile setup, and it's pretty much just a matter of tapping on the tile that corresponds to the thing you want to do. The hard bit is that it'll take a little time to make your homescreen look the way you want (setting appropriate links, shortcuts etc.), but if you do that, the kids shouldn't have to run through menus and sub menus for programs, or breakouts for web bookmarks, you can have them all there in tiles on the homescreen.

What I'm not sure about is how some, more advanced, software packages will operate with the new UI, I probably need to put it on a machine for myself and have a proper play, although I'm perfectly happy with 7 at the moment.

 

[jayjay3032]

Why not just install Win 7 on the new computer?

 

[Joel O]

What are you going to be using the computer for? For typical browsing / entertainment stuff I think win8 is fine, IF you have a touchscreen. If you're using a mouse only, then it's a pretty shitty UI, and it wouldn't be my choice for work either, but for home I don't think it's necessarily that bad.

I've had my new laptop for a week and am very slowly coming to terms with windows 8. IMO it is not a good operating system if you're only using a trackpad but I'm starting to see a bit of potential using a physical mouse and/or the touch screen, although i definitely wouldn't say i'm enjoying the experience quite yet

 

[tubby74]

my major work client uses a cisco VPN that is not supporting windows 8, so a major PITA there. I still use my vista laptop more than win8 for work largely for these kinds of problems. Apart from that win8 took several network guys ages to find a simple setting that was stopping basic windows vpn's from connecting as well. As a general browser/home use interface it's ok, but I still go straight to the old screens for everything.
Currently use windows 7 on desktop, 8 on new laptop, vista on old laptop, and still use xp on some client sites and rate win8 easily the least favourite of the lot (if you add android on an older tablet I 'd put win8 well behind that as a tablet interface too). In short I hate it

 

[scblack]

I think I conclude I'll keep an eye out for a new laptop with Windows 7, or just hold on longer with the current clunker until improvement is shown.

In my opinion, I'll not attempt to install Windows 7 myself, whenever I have had to have IT guys at work rebuild laptops and re-install OS there is any number of random problems created. If the OS is not native on the device it causes many issues, mostly small and eventually manageable but I'm not looking to spend my time sorting this shit, I just want to get on and do what I need. Managing an issue would reduce my porn time. Bugger that. Seriously I'm not an IT expert, so just want to get on with things.

To me, Windows 8 is an echo of Vista - some nice concepts - but has lost the idea (the BASIC premise) is to make a computer easier to use. Not ANOTHER slog to learn more stuff.

 

[Plankosaurus]

I think I conclude I'll keep an eye out for a new laptop with Windows 7, or just hold on longer with the current clunker until improvement is shown.

In my opinion, I'll not attempt to install Windows 7 myself, whenever I have had to have IT guys at work rebuild laptops and re-install OS there is any number of random problems created. If the OS is not native on the device it causes many issues, mostly small and eventually manageable but I'm not looking to spend my time sorting this shit, I just want to get on and do what I need. Managing an issue would reduce my porn time. Bugger that. Seriously I'm not an IT expert, so just want to get on with things.

To me, Windows 8 is an echo of Vista - some nice concepts - but has lost the idea (the BASIC premise) is to make a computer easier to use. Not ANOTHER slog to learn more stuff.

honestly, the actual windows 8 OS is great. its faster and more stable than 7, its got a lot of things right. the interface they've chosen to (try to) force on us on the other hand is an issue, but its a very easily addressed issue. as i said earlier, i've installed a program called 'classic shell' which gives you complete control over whether you start in metro or the desktop and allows you to choose the style of startbar you want, you can go back to the old win98 style if thats your thing. it also allows you to customize the windows explorer interface aswell so theres no reason at all to feel out of place in the OS. honestly, theres only a couple of visual queues to tell me that i'm running 8, with the right add on, theres basically no learning curve whatsoever in making the switch.

Dont let the metro interface steer you away from upgrading your pc, its a good idea that MS have screwed the execution of, but its PISS easy to get around.

 

[scblack]

honestly, the actual windows 8 OS is great. its faster and more stable than 7, its got a lot of things right. the interface they've chosen to (try to) force on us on the other hand is an issue, but its a very easily addressed issue. as i said earlier, i've installed a program called 'classic shell' which gives you complete control over whether you start in metro or the desktop and allows you to choose the style of startbar you want, you can go back to the old win98 style if thats your thing. it also allows you to customize the windows explorer interface aswell so theres no reason at all to feel out of place in the OS. honestly, theres only a couple of visual queues to tell me that i'm running 8, with the right add on, theres basically no learning curve whatsoever in making the switch.

Dont let the metro interface steer you away from upgrading your pc, its a good idea that MS have screwed the execution of, but its PISS easy to get around.

Hmm, thanks mate I'll look into that. I know the guts of Win8 is very good as you say.

Where do I download/find "classic shell?" Just google away?

 

[Plankosaurus]

yeah, just google it. i googled 'windows 8 start menu' and classic shell was the first one i tried. very likely theres others that do the same job, possibly even better but this one works fine so i saw no need to try the rest of the field.

 

[24alpha]

Why not just install Win 7 on the new computer?

You can't buy Win7 anymore! If there are pcs being sold with Win7, it's old stock.

honestly, the actual windows 8 OS is great. its faster and more stable than 7, its got a lot of things right. .

It's the same OS as Win7 under the metro crap, how can you say it's better? MS always drop the ball after a successful OS. See Millennium, Vista and now 8!
Scblack, Once you have put on classic shell, you'll be happy with 8.

 

[ozdavo]

Buy something with Win 8 PRO & downgrade it to Win 7 Pro. Sorted.


Sent from my iThingy using Tapatalk