Windows 8

[O'Dell]

Way off topic, guys, but is anyone running Windows 8? MS sent me a free copy of 8 Pro, and I'm trying to decide whether to install it on my desk top or lap top. The reviews are mixed but it seems to be aimed mostly at touch screen devices. My tablet is TS but doesn't run Windows. MS says it'll install w/o changing any settings or installed apps, so I'm wondering if it's worth learning a new OS, even though it's not not far removed from the 7 Pro I have now.

[Barth]

Way off topic, guys, but is anyone running Windows 8? MS sent me a free copy of 8 Pro, and I'm trying to decide whether to install it on my desk top or lap top. The reviews are mixed but it seems to be aimed mostly at touch screen devices. My tablet is TS but doesn't run Windows. MS says it'll install w/o changing any settings or installed apts, so I'm wondering if it's worth learning a new OS, even though it's not not far removed from the 7 Pro I have now.

Always wait on new versions of software.
Particularly operating systems.
The fixes and patches are sure to follow as the new system gets the bugs out.
Let everyone else be on the bleeding edge.
I don't have time to bleed.

I would recommend you wait a year before you upgrade and keep apprised of issues.
My company generally doesn't upgrade unless they have to.
7 pro is stable and should run anything you want for some time to come.

[mr surveyor]

In my experience, Windoze 7 is as much a pos as win2000. And I had to upgrade(?) my entire network to 7 in order to use the latest greatest s/w for some new hardware. This has been the most expensive, inefficient "upgrade" in my 30 years of private practice.

I miss XP pro

oh.. to the point... why would I even consider 8?

[JohnR]

I hated Windows until I got 7. Now it just plain works. No desire to try 8.

[O'Dell]

Thanks, but I've always been an early adapter, because when My computer company was really active, I had to answer questions on new products from customers. I'm a MS Partner and beta tested XP and Vista [hated it], but declined on 7 because I didn't want to fool with it. Personally, since using every version extensively since Windows 3.0, I think 7 is the best they've built. I've never had a Windows crash or blue screen or lockup in three years of using 7.

But, to get back to the original question, has anyone used 8?

[MrToad]

I'm running Windows 8 Pro. I'm still trying to decide how I feel about the modern interface, so I cheated and installed the free "Classic Shell" that adds additional functionality, like forcing Win8 to go to the desktop and putting in a start menu of your choice.

One of the reasons I upgraded is because my tech job requires me to be familiar with the latest OSes, the other was the low ($40) upgrade price that adds remote desktop features, which my Win 7 Home Premium lacked.

[O'Dell]

Thanks Toad, I've played with it at a computer shop and figured there had to be a way around that dumb tiled start page. The desk top doesn't look that different. One review said it was the biggest change since 95, but that's hard to believe since it doesn't change settings on 7 and the programs don't have to be reloaded. Plus, it's suppose to run just about any "7" program.

One thing that interested me for the lap top is the statement that it extends battery life, but that means nothing for the desktop.

[LorenzoB]

I knew XP inside and out (power user). With 7, I just know how to use it, although I'm getting better. I'm tired of these big "fancy" changes. Office 2010 was a joke with the Ribbon interface! I just bought an iMac... I might as well try it, since I need to keep getting used to new stuff anyway! I think Microsoft has consistently been making some pretty poor decisions in the last 5 years.

[CrabbyAzz]

I'm running windows 8 and have to say it's their best operating system to date. I updated from XP without any issues. It didn't even screw up my Ubuntu dual boot setup.

By the way Win 7 was a mess for power users.

[Cyterio]

I'm currently using Windows 8 on my HTPC. Coming from Windows 7, for me, it's a step sideways. It doesn't really offer anything better for my uses, but at the same time, it's not worse.
The OS does seem to really favor tablets and touchscreens. On a desktop environment it just seems confused. Some of your applications run directly from the Modern UI(Metro) while others will switch to desktop and run from there. It just feels like the OS is unsure of what it wants to be so it does both.
With that said, it does work, and has been very stable for me. Mine is primarly used as my HTPC for cable tv dvr functionality. The Metro UI is pretty remote friendly for opening apps and navigation. While the gestures make sense with touch input, they are a bit cumbersome with a mouse, and especially tough with a touchpad.
I would say that if you have a touch device then definitely go with Windows 8. If you're going to be running a non-touch device then stick with Windows 7, you really have nothing to gain with 8.

[DeaconKC]

I will be glad to test it for you and get rid of Vista on my old desktop!

[wayneo1]

I think Micorsoft has the right idea. same platform on computers, tablets, and phones. I am going to convert over as soon as they have a good windows phone at Sprint. Due for new laptop at the office and new computer at home. Was thinking about apple but it would be better for me to stick with microsoft at work. So far the laptops I tested worked pretty well.

[O'Dell]

I knew XP inside and out (power user). With 7, I just know how to use it, although I'm getting better. I'm tired of these big "fancy" changes. Office 2010 was a joke with the Ribbon interface! I just bought an iMac... I might as well try it, since I need to keep getting used to new stuff anyway! I think Microsoft has consistently been making some pretty poor decisions in the last 5 years.

I think we all look back fondly at XP. At the time it was so much better than what we had been using up to then. Also, when Vista came out it was so bloated with programs and features that so few used, it had trouble getting out of it's own way. In addition, it wouldn't run a lot of the programs we had been using under previous systems. At least that's why I hated it.

With 7, MS took a sharp knife to the excess baggage in Vista and it was made faster, simpler, and more stable. Since 7 came out in 2009, MS made at least one good decision in the last five years IMO. Windows is the only MS program I use, so I can't speak for any thing else they've developed.

[O'Dell]

I'm currently using Windows 8 on my HTPC. Coming from Windows 7, for me, it's a step sideways. It doesn't really offer anything better for my uses, but at the same time, it's not worse.
The OS does seem to really favor tablets and touchscreens. On a desktop environment it just seems confused. Some of your applications run directly from the Modern UI(Metro) while others will switch to desktop and run from there. It just feels like the OS is unsure of what it wants to be so it does both.
With that said, it does work, and has been very stable for me. Mine is primarly used as my HTPC for cable tv dvr functionality. The Metro UI is pretty remote friendly for opening apps and navigation. While the gestures make sense with touch input, they are a bit cumbersome with a mouse, and especially tough with a touchpad.
I would say that if you have a touch device then definitely go with Windows 8. If you're going to be running a non-touch device then stick with Windows 7, you really have nothing to gain with 8.

I think a step sideways perfectly describes what I'm feeling about 8. My desk top and lap top both run 7 Pro. Neither of my touch devices, phone and tablet, run Windows. After reading the comments and giving it some more thought, I think I'll stick with 7. Then I can wait to see what Windows 9 looks like when it shows up.

[chrish]

Been on Win 8 since the last release candidate before it went RTM. For the most part, I love it, particularly the 'next level' of integration across all the various MS cloud products, the whole UI and the 'modern UI' look and feel across all of those apps are nice.

I tend to always be an early adopter as well, sometimes it's painful.

Windows 8, in my opinion, is a bit forced on a non-touch device. But once you transition to the various shortcut keys and movements to the screen edges, it becomes as second nature as many actions in prior versions were. So I don't worry about it too much, I've gotten used to it.