Win 8?

[Lightyear]

Anyone using it yet?  Any thoughts?

My desktop Dell is running Vista and I was too lazy to switch it off of Vista but now I'm finally frustrated enough switch.  Looks like I can upgrade for $39.  I've been wanting to run Sketchup for some time now and I need to add memory to do that so I figure I'll finally dump Vista and pull a $90 overall refresh.

[Dave W]

Let me know if you decide to do it. No reason yet to upgrade my Win 7 desktop but for $39 I might upgrade my old business laptop from Vista even though I don't often use it.

[ack1961]

I bought a computer the day Win8 was released (I was running an 8 year old Dell PC w/ XP).
Luckily, one of the RAM modules in the new PC went bad within the next 24 hours, so I returned it.  I opted to return it for a Laptop running Windows7 instead.  I've been using Windows since 1993 (Win 3.0), and have a good working knowledge of 3.1, 3.1.1, WFW, 95, 98, XP...What I didn't like about Win8 was the whole desktop advertising aspect.  I know it's a social media world out there, but I don't want bouncing NetFlix icons on my desktop, nor do I want to be taken there when I'm watching/editing a video.  I know that with enough tweaking, most of the ad space which used to be your desktop can be altered (and there is a "Windows mode" you can go into for that traditional feel), but it seemed like everywhere I turned, there was an ad begging to be clicked upon and there was a dollar sign waiting.  I felt like a puppet at the end of the string being left out of the money game. Everyone was getting rich with every click - except me.  If you like Apps, or more specifically, if you have Apps to buy or sell, Win8 is a no brainer.

Functionality-wise, it was just fine.  Win8 multi-tasks like a monster and has all the portals you need to seemlessly bridge the social media world and your desktop - basically it helps you share media content and the sharing functions really well. I wanted a new PC w/ Win8 because my old PC couldn't really hold up to editing video anymore. The old architecture and bus speeds pale in comparison to today's technology...and no more lock-up/re-boot!

For now, I am extremely happy with Windows7, but a less stubborn and socially awkward person could benefit from upgrading (their word) to Win8.  I'll wait a while. Good luck.
Steve

[the mojo hobo]

(and there is a "Windows mode" you can go into for that traditional feel),

The problem with the "traditional" desktop is that there is no Start Menu that traditional Windows users are accostomed to.

IMO Windows 8 is the New Coke of the 21st century. It is made for tablets, I think Microsoft wants to kill the desktop computer.

[ack1961]

The problem with the "traditional" desktop is that there is no Start Menu that traditional Windows users are accostomed to.

IMO Windows 8 is the New Coke of the 21st century. It is made for tablets, I think Microsoft wants to kill the desktop computer.

Yup to all that.  Matter of fact; when I went back in to return the Win8 PC, I was looking at the iMac - I felt that Microsoft deserved to lose at least one customer for their selfishness.  I sat through a clerk demo'ing an iMac and I was OK with dumping a few more hundreds on a Microsoft-free solution.  After a 15 minute demo, I told him "OK, I'll take one"...he replied that they wouldn't have any until mid-December (this was in early Nov) - another waste of my loudly ticking bilogical clock.

My youngest son wants a tablet - not on my watch. I got him a Pearl EX drum kit.

[the mojo hobo]

I have found that Ubuntu does most of what I need in a computer.

[exiledarchangel]

I have found that Ubuntu does most of what I need in a computer.

I use xubuntu, a lightweight version of ubuntu, for my netbook, it can do anything,and its quicker than microsoft winslows.

Let me know if you decide to do it. No reason yet to upgrade my Win 7 desktop but for $39 I might upgrade my old business laptop from Vista even though I don't often use it.

I'd go for it Dave ASAP, I know how crappy Vista can be. Heck, I'd even prefer XP than Vista, kinda ancient OS yes, but at least it gets the job done!

[Highlander]

Everything I've heard is pants so far...

[Pilgrim]

I have never found much to complain about in Win7, and it's a lot smarter than XP.  I'm in no rush to change.

[ack1961]

I have never found much to complain about in Win7, and it's a lot smarter than XP.  I'm in no rush to change.

Agreed.  I've had Win7 for a month or so and it's been perfect so far.

[Lightyear]

Me too.  The machine I'm going to load it on is just  an internet, music, shopping and time wasting in general PC.  I'm a "certifiable" Microsoft weenie from the NT days - I have the official lapel pin and everything - figuring out MS garbage has been in my blood for at least 15 years now.

I just asked the supreme commander to order my RAM from Amazon - once I get the memory installed and tested I'll order up the new stuff.  Let's see if the old dog can be taught any new tricks.

[the mojo hobo]

One of my all time favorites:

[Dave W]

I read a blog by the guy who puts out WinPatrol ( a great piece of software, IMHO). His Dec. 1 post might be worth a read to some of you.

This concerns me, though. Right now it only applies to ARM-architecture devices, but I sure don't like the implications for the future.

[Lightyear]

Grrrrrrr!!!!  Well, got it loaded and yes it's pretty quick and yes it is different - very different.  I haven't had a chance to do much with it yet but it is frustrating.  For one thing it blew away Chrome, imagine that, and it futzed with Outlook.  I will say that the download and upgrade were quick and relatively painless.  I did pick up a Dummies Win 8 book so I can educate myself 

[Highlander]

Buzz... we salute your bravery...