So is Windows 8 worth getting for laptop/desktop?

[Himu]

Windows 8 is almost here. Is it worth getting or should I just upgrade to 7? Is there any chance 8 will bomb and the Windows Store won't fuck everything up and have Mac as the standard OS in 5 years?

[Takao]

Do Windows 7. Windows 8 looks like Microsoft trying to spin synergy between devices without realizing that different devices require different methodologies.  They'll probably have sorted that out by Windows 9 ... hopefully.

[Himu]

why can't they just stick with 7? apple has been using osx for 10 YEARS and it's still fucking awesome.

[MCD]

Upgrade to 8.

You still have the desktop just better. You want that filthy start button back? Then hack it back.

Some articles:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Features_new_to_Windows_8
http://www.techspot.com/review/561-windows8-vs-windows7/

[MCD]

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-3UR-00001-Windows-8-Pro/dp/B008H3SW4I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351067212&sr=8-1&keywords=windows+8

Pre-order Select Windows 8 Software, Get a $30 Amazon.com Promotional Credit

Through October 27, 2012, purchase select Windows 8 software and get a $30 Amazon.com promotional credit toward the purchase of items shipped and sold by Amazon.com (certain exclusions apply, including Kindle books, MP3s, and video rentals and downloads). The promotional credit will be emailed thirty days after your order ships. Offer valid when shipped and sold by Amazon.com. See full terms and conditions for more details.

[Rusty Shackleford]

Windows 8 is almost here. Is it worth getting or should I just upgrade to 7?

Hell no. Windows ME for LIFE.

[archnemesis]

I'll upgrade to Windows 8 if I can get my hands on a free copy. The new Metro interface looks awful, but the improved support for SSDs and overall performance increase would be nice.

[The Sceneman]

why can't they just stick with 7? apple has been using osx for 10 YEARS and it's still fucking awesome.

yeah, Apple haven't released any new operating systems that you have to pay for in the past 10 years.....

Oh, hold on, I just checked Wikipedia and it seems they have released a lot of them!

5.1 Public Beta: "Kodiak"
5.2 Version 10.0: "Cheetah"
5.3 Version 10.1: "Puma"
5.4 Version 10.2: "Jaguar"
5.5 Version 10.3: "Panther"
5.6 Version 10.4: "Tiger"
5.7 Version 10.5: "Leopard"
5.8 Version 10.6: "Snow Leopard"
5.9 Version 10.7: "Lion"
5.10 Version 10.8: "Mountain

[huckleberry]

anyone know if you can do a full install from the 8 upgrade package like you could with 7?

[Diunx]

Gonna pirate it to see what the fuss is about.

[Tasty]

why can't they just stick with 7? apple has been using osx for 10 YEARS and it's still fucking awesome.

Apple and MS name upgrades differently. Apple also releases smaller updates more rapidly, so they don't get into a Vista situation (as easily.)

A new Windows is basically 2-3 OS X updates rolled into one.

Well, Windows RT kinda throws a wrench into the analogy because it basically is a completely new OS, but I think the point stands

[Van Cruncheon]

windows 8 *is* 7 you doof

[recursivelyenumerable]

I was using it as if it were 7 on my laptop for a while, but I've slowly drifted towards using the new-style apps and browser a lot when I'm in my "randomly dicking around" mode, a nice thing about that is then they don't clutter up your desktop windows or consume resources etc. when you switch to the desktop for "actually getting something done" mode. Since I do a lot of both on my laptop (well ... aspire to get things done, anyway) this is actually close to ideal for me

[naff]

So have they got trackpads that actually work for this OS like the magic trackpad? Can't imagine anyone actually wanting to touch their screen to do stuff (it's like anti-ergonomics), looks like it would work fine with a mouse and kb but it would be really nice if they improve the way windows works with trackpads, shit's so horrendous as it stands and it would be awesome to have good trackpad support. Guess I'll give it a shot soon anyway, no doubt I'll get some free copies through MSDN, looks like it'll be a good OS for a new media center

[D3RANG3D]

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-3UR-00001-Windows-8-Pro/dp/B008H3SW4I/ref=sr_1_1?s=software&ie=UTF8&qid=1351152875&sr=1-1&keywords=windows+8
Is this an upgrade package or the real version?

[archnemesis]

"Upgrade your Windows 7, XP, or Vista PC with Windows 8 Pro"

[D3RANG3D]

"Upgrade your Windows 7, XP, or Vista PC with Windows 8 Pro"

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3947206&sku=M17-3200

This is why it's confusing it says upgrade specifically on this one and the box is different.

[archnemesis]

Huh? You might be right even though the product feature, description and FAQ all mention upgrade it seems like it's the real version.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/8/21/3257406/windows-8-pro-price-upgrade-price

[Takao]

why can't they just stick with 7? apple has been using osx for 10 YEARS and it's still fucking awesome.

yeah, Apple haven't released any new operating systems that you have to pay for in the past 10 years.....

Oh, hold on, I just checked Wikipedia and it seems they have released a lot of them!

5.1 Public Beta: "Kodiak"
5.2 Version 10.0: "Cheetah"
5.3 Version 10.1: "Puma"
5.4 Version 10.2: "Jaguar"
5.5 Version 10.3: "Panther"
5.6 Version 10.4: "Tiger"
5.7 Version 10.5: "Leopard"
5.8 Version 10.6: "Snow Leopard"
5.9 Version 10.7: "Lion"
5.10 Version 10.8: "Mountain

So they went from Bear to Cats to Landforms?

[chronovore]

"Upgrade your Windows 7, XP, or Vista PC with Windows 8 Pro"

Interesting; previous Windows upgrades supported ALL previous, full versions of Windows, as long as it had a valid registration code. It's the only reason I still have my WinME discs. 

[Himu]

This convinced me with Win 8.

It's much faster in desktop mode trying to find and organize shit. I hate how with windows as it is now, I have to fucking open up my computer, go to program files, and then find all this shit, by going from folder to folder.

In this video, the guy searches for oblivion mods and instantly gets it and it TELLS YOU HOW MUCH DISK SPACE it's taking up, which regular windows doesn't (you have to right click, go to properties, and then see how much disk space it's taking).

[archnemesis]

If you want to know the file size you can just press Win + "search term" and hover over the result list in Windows 7. It's not as pretty, but probably faster than what that dude is doing in the video. I think the only improvements I'm interested in are under the hood.

[Himu]

I'm on Vista.

[archnemesis]

Oh, then it's probably worth to upgrade regardless. I think I'll wait until I build a new computer next summer.

[recursivelyenumerable]

Heh, that's a really old alpha version of Windows 8 in that video.

[MCD]

Man, just saw the launch stream and I AM PUMPED for the awesome looking transformer PC devices everywhere.

Pictures:

[Himu]

Did Microsoft put out a gesture mouse and did hard manufacturers start putting in gesture touchpads for windows based os due to win 8? Because if they're just sticking with the tablet stuff, microsoft is dumber than I thought. They should take a cue from apple in that regard, and include gesture mice/touchpad in their os design.

[Himu]

Man, just saw the launch stream and I AM PUMPED for the awesome looking transformer PC devices everywhere.

Pictures:

can't see shit

[MCD]

You mean stuff like this?

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/touch-technology
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/mice-pointers/mice  (Three touch mice there)

[Tasty]

Man, just saw the launch stream and I AM PUMPED for the awesome looking transformer PC devices everywhere.

Pictures:

can't see shit

How literal.

[Himu]

Yeah, I see MS put out a touch mouse. Smart.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2411224,00.asp

But what about multi touch for trackpads on new laptops that have win 8?

[MCD]

I will reupload the pics. Give me a minute.

Some stuff I searched on youtube:




I don't like laptops/touchpads so recursive can take it from here.

[bork]

Is Windows 8 going to be worth the upgrade without a touchscreen monitor?

[Himu]

I will reupload the pics. Give me a minute.

Some stuff I searched on youtube:




I don't like laptops/touchpads so recursive can take it from here.

I can see Win 8 being a huge success if they include this technology in ALL Win 8 laptops from release and give good tutorials on how to use it. You have to remember that laptops is where computing is these days and MS has to stay with the crowd in order to make the big bucks if they're going to go with a ballsy idea like Win 8.

[recursivelyenumerable]

There's a standard set of new touchpad gestures defined by Microsoft but AFAIK it's not mandated that everyone support them, and many still don't, in fact I think even the touchpads in Microsoft's own Surfaces don't (because they think they're too small and you'd accidentally trigger the edge swipes too much). Personally, I'm quite happy just using my touchpad with the normal mouse methods of swoop around corner etc., but then I've always had a specific way of using a touchpad (turn up to near highest speed and roll my finger for finer movement) which happens to work well with moving to the edges and stuff. If I used a touchpad with normal speed I could definitely see myself being frustrated with the new UI in some areas, at least without learning keyboard shortcuts.

[Himu]

I'm just saying that if Microsoft wants to put Windows 8 on home computers, they need to make gestures and touch pads/mice with multi-touch a standard for using windows operating systems.

You can't just put people in a room, say you want them to play with a specific toy without the means to play with that toy. When you first boot up Win 8, you're greeted with a screen that you have to click and drag in order to reach the log on screen. This is fine for tablets because a simple swipe works. But for a home computer, using the mouse to click and drag is cumbersome. If it were mac, they'd just have you use two fingers on your mouse or touch pad to gesture without clicking and grabbing and you'd swipe like it were any ordinary tablet or touch smart phone.

[recursivelyenumerable]

You haven't had to click and drag to open the lockscreen for 5+ months now, you just click now (or hit any key). That's the problem with trying to get a sense of the OS from watching random Youtube videos, many of them were taken on older builds.

[Vizzys]

worth downloading for the quick boot times alone

also turn off metro and ribbon garbage asap

[ManaByte]

why can't they just stick with 7? apple has been using osx for 10 YEARS and it's still fucking awesome.

yeah, Apple haven't released any new operating systems that you have to pay for in the past 10 years.....

Oh, hold on, I just checked Wikipedia and it seems they have released a lot of them!

5.1 Public Beta: "Kodiak"
5.2 Version 10.0: "Cheetah"
5.3 Version 10.1: "Puma"
5.4 Version 10.2: "Jaguar"
5.5 Version 10.3: "Panther"
5.6 Version 10.4: "Tiger"
5.7 Version 10.5: "Leopard"
5.8 Version 10.6: "Snow Leopard"
5.9 Version 10.7: "Lion"
5.10 Version 10.8: "Mountain

So they went from Bear to Cats to Landforms?

[G The Resurrected]

I'm gonna be installing Windows 8 on my desktop and I'm all ready. I got one of these awesome new logitech touchpads. It cost an arm and a leg but its got all the gesture controls for windows 8.

Logitech t650

[G The Resurrected]

yeah its totally worth it considering its rechargable and its glass so its super easy to clean. The gestures take a little while to get used to and aren't as fast as me using a mouse. But the convenience and ability to use them is nice and beats using "buttons" for simple stuff like pinch to zoom.

Now to see if I can't swap my SSD in the process of this fresh install. I want to get MLC cause of the reliability. Windows 8 I hear is very very nice when it comes to SSD's.

[G The Resurrected]

if your on the fence about windows 8 why not give it a try for $14.99?

http://www.windowsupgradeoffer.com/en-US

Put in whatever you want for the model number and follow the instructions. Its easy as pie and you can even pay with paypal.

Yes you can do fresh installs

[D3RANG3D]

worth downloading for the quick boot times alone

also turn off metro and ribbon garbage asap

Boo this man!

[Stoney Mason]

I Installed it on one of my computers for shits and giggles although I will definitely keep windows 7 on my laptop. Its both interesting and a bit weird and some of that is just because its new and some of its because its a bit awkward.

I think it probably makes a great tablet interface and there are parts of it that feel nice on the desktop but if my friends ask, I'm gonna just recommend they stick with 7.


It is kinda nice to have my xbox live and windows experience kind of unified though.

[Reb]

worth downloading for the quick boot times alone

also turn off metro and ribbon garbage asap

Boo this man!

Boooooooooooo

[G The Resurrected]

Well I can say this much the mouse pad I bought earlier tonight is faster on Windows 8 so much faster its kinda mind boggling. I think it knows what I'm gonna do before I'm doing it. Windows 7 was kind of awkward with it and slow.

JESUS at the start up times wow!

[MCD]

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/downloads/mouse-keyboard-center

For any MS touch mouse users, make sure you get this new software update to get the most out of your mice.

Either from there or via Windows Update.

[originalz]

Well, I'm satisfied with Windows 8 so far.  Bought, downloaded, and installed it.  My PC restarts and lets me choose between Windows 8 and 7, wasn't expecting that.  Choose 8, immediately get the BSOD with the sad face, computer restarts and does so every single time I select the OS.  I eventually choose 7, tells me that the instillation failed and that they restored my Windows 7 shit.

wtf

[MCD]

Did you get this, originalz?

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-10-11/microsoft-windows-8-2-new-japanese-moe-mascots-revealed




And it sounds like you installed it on a different partition? I usually wipe out everything and start fresh but then again you need an OEM/system builder copy of Windows 8 for this.

[originalz]

I have no idea what the hell I did, I just ran the downloader, bought the license, and ran the installer, I didn't have any options to change anything or where it goes.  I'm bloody lucky it kept my Windows 7 install since otherwise I'd be SOL.  No way in hell am I going to wipe everything after that, besides the main reason I'm even upgrading is because it's supposedly super-easy to do so from 7 without losing shit.

I'd contact Microsoft support but apparently you gotta pay money for them to solve your problem?  What kind of shit is that.

[MCD]

Oh, so you used an installer.

Since I am not familiar with your situation, how about posting about it on GAF: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=496288

I can post it for you, if you wish.

[originalz]

Eh, I'm gonna go to bed soon so don't really care, I'm in no real rush to upgrade.  Guess I should have known better to do so on the first day anyway, I'm sure it'll be a common-enough complaint with enough time so I'll just wait for them to figure their shit out before trying again.

[Stoney Mason]

Played with it for a few hours this morning as I was pretty sleepy last night. It's okay. I mean I'm getting use to it and I can do whatever I could do in the past. It's just a matter of breaking my ingrained natural habits of how I use to do things. It's like those things had become second nature after doing them thousands of times so its hard to break those habits, even though if I had learned it this way it would seem natural also.

I mean you can rightfully ask the question are the benefits worth it to re-map your brain and I would guess for most normal users the answer would be no but whatever.

Its a tablet interface sort of grafted and merged with the desktop experience. It's neither as bad as I thought it would be nor as useful as Microsoft touts it to be. I mean honestly the most useful stuff for me is the xbox integration .

The installation went fairly smoothly for me. I did an upgrade from windows 7 although I did have to turn off my dataplex caching software as it currently doesn't support windows 8.

http://www.nvelo.com/support/dataplex/help/when-will-dataplex-support-windows-8

[Robo]

What is the Xbox integration, exactly?

[Stoney Mason]

What is the Xbox integration, exactly?

Basically if you have an xbox live account that's what you are signing on with into windows 8. So at all times on the computer you have a decent portion of the functionality of xbox live. You can see your friends list. Who's on, etc.

There is a smart glass application that allows you to run some basic functionality on your xbox. Like you can launch a game on xbox from windows and easily push video content from the computer to your xbox. Stuff like that. Also some of the metro apps use your xbox live account for achivements and stuff.

Nothing revolutionary but at no time when I originally signed up for xbox live, did I ever think it would be integrated at this core level into my windows PC.

[archnemesis]

When are they going to introduce XBLA games?

[Stoney Mason]

When are they going to introduce XBLA games?

Well they already have some up. Like Hydro Thunder. Stuff like Jetpack Joyride is also up. I earned an achievement in it for instance.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/windows/games

[originalz]

Apparently Windows comes with 3 months of free support so I wasted some time talking to an online technician.  They had a fit because I had a few programs that weren't listed as compatible and that an update was required, games like Torchlight and Dirt 3.  Those games auto-update through Steam, and I highly doubt they're causing my problems.  They refused to let me go on until I took care of it, so I told them I'd look into it and contact them later.  Worthless.

When they started things up they also let me know what a valued customer I am:

"Just to let you know this is the Premium Service package, for this time I will do it for FREE because you are in your 90 day of warranty, but usually costs for $99 plus taxes. I really understand how frustrating this could be for you, I am a customer as well, so I'll do my best for you."

Gee, thanks a lot, I really feel like you guys are really going the extra mile for me, giving me FREE support that I'm entitled to within my first day of warranty!

[huckleberry]

fuck it....


liking 8 so far....now i know why reviewers docked the store even though the os is so new.  the apps that are in there are fucking shit.

[Momo]

fuck it....


liking 8 so far....now i know why reviewers docked the store even though the os is so new.  the apps that are in there are fucking shit.

Never owned an xbox?