5 replies to this topic

[Khadim uz Zahra]

So, what do you people think of the upcoming Windows 8 - and the two tablets Microsoft is launching along with it? Do you think that the Notebook-Tablet Hybrid form factor, which is how most of the new Windows 8 devices are coming as, will work and, perhaps, be the future of the personal computer industry? Or, are you of the opinion that Windows 8 will be a failure, at least on the deskptop/laptop side?

[SatanicToast]

I just got windows 7.

[adnan121]

its more based on touch screen !

[Khadim uz Zahra]

Ismi_Ali, on 29 July 2012 - 09:37 PM, said:

I just got windows 7.

Yeah, well, look at the previews on Youtube. You can even download a preview version for free. Plus, if you have recently bought a laptop, you can even upgrade to Windows 8 for just $15 (if you have bought one recently, tell me and I'll give the links on how to do it) when it launches in October.

adnan121, on 29 July 2012 - 11:34 PM, said:

its more based on touch screen !

Yes, it is and Microsoft is doing it, specifically, because market trends are changing and more and more people are turning to tablets, where Apple has the big share. Microsoft wants to change that, which is the reason that not only has it made Windows 8 more touch oriented but also the reason why they have, for the FIRST time, made a computer (tablets) and launched it under their own name! What I am asking is, do you think it will work? If you have used the preview, did you like it?

[SatanicToast]

Khadim uz Zahra, on 30 July 2012 - 01:02 PM, said:

Yeah, well, look at the previews on Youtube. You can even download a preview version for free. Plus, if you have recently bought a laptop, you can even upgrade to Windows 8 for just $15 (if you have bought one recently, tell me and I'll give the links on how to do it) when it launches in October.

I actually bought a whole new desktop and monitor with Windows 7 no more than a month ago, so if you have one for desktop at 15$ I'll buy it.

[Khadim uz Zahra]

Ismi_Ali, on 30 July 2012 - 10:28 PM, said:

I actually bought a whole new desktop and monitor with Windows 7 no more than a month ago, so if you have one for desktop at 15$ I'll buy it.

LOOL! I am not selling Windows. It's an offer that Microsoft had made. Maybe you were confused by me saying laptop only. Well, that was a mistake on my part. The offer includes both laptops and desktops - in fact, I'd think it even includes Windows 7 tablets!

Dhulfiqar313, on 01 August 2012 - 10:47 PM, said:

My laptop is brand new (I got it around a month ago), so I am eligible for the discounted upgrade.

You already seem to have a lot of knowledge about it so I think you would already know but since I was giving the link to Ismi_Ali, I quoted you as well, just in case.

So, here's the link:

https://windowsupgradeoffer.com/en-US/

If you have bought a Windows 7 PC after June 2, you are eligible (And the offer is valid till January 31, 2013). Right now, they are just taking e-mails but when it's released, you'll be notified by an e-mail and you can get a download for $15 (in US and other countries, there may be different prices in UK and other countries) for Windows 8 Pro, which from what I know, is the best edition of Windows 8, much like the Ultimate version of Windows 7. You can also ask for a DVD but that will cost extra.

Dhulfiqar313, on 01 August 2012 - 10:47 PM, said:

Windows 8 was released to manufacturing today.  I've used the Developer Preview and the Consumer Preview, and I'm not impressed.  It has a lot of really cool new features such as the upgraded Windows Explorer and the beefed up file-copy notification.  However, the interface is awkward and somethings are just not made intuitively.  For example, if you run your browser from the start screen (with all of the tiles), it's automatically in full screen, where if you open it from the desktop, it's more of an orthodox layout.  It also annoys me that you can't choose to close, minimize, or maximize applications.  Personally, I do not care for it much.  Some of the new features are GREAT and well received, but the interface is way too awkward and locked down.  My laptop is brand new (I got it around a month ago), so I am eligible for the discounted upgrade.  I'll probably purchase the upgrade, at the discounted price, but I won't actually use it until some workarounds can be found.  Or until Windows 7 ends its support cycle.

I haven't used it (I have really limited internet and downloading gigantic operating systems is not something I can do) but from the videos I have seen, it looks quite nice. Plus, that interface is for tablets more and not desktop users. Also, since there are two interfaces, the IE10 with the full-screen is for the Metro (for tablet - as a side note, Microsoft is going to drop the name because of copyright problems), while the desktop features the older look. It's for tablets. I liked both interfaces but even I would agree that, perhaps, they shouldn't have done it this way. They should have gone slowly and should have just given some sort of choice in the setting to allow you to set the desktop or the Metro interface as your default when you start your computer. That would make those who are more used to the older look quite happy.

And, it's not just the copy that's better. The task manager is also better. In fact, I even liked the sort of sleek and minimal look for the Metro - but I know that not all will. Also, I remember reading on the internet that on some security forum held recently, Windows 8 was the most secure operating system. But that's not just it. There were some real cool things that I have read about what Windows will offer and these are for more advanced users (which I am not) but they are still cool: the ability to natively load iso files as drives. That certainly is a cool feature but what I liked a lot more (and, regret the most about, as I have no idea on how to use it) is that it allows virtualisation, meaning you can use some application or something (as I have said, I don't know about how it works - just what it is) and in a Window, you can have another instance of Windows working. So, you have two operating system running parallel to each other, at the same time. I know I wasn't all that clear but I can't find the original link where I had read it but, perhaps, this may help (look at the "Run old apps and other operating systems" segment): http://www.techradar...ndows-8-1086244. All of this just makes the fact that the upgrade offer is for Windows 8 Pro (as the virtualisation, for example, is a Pro feature) all the more better!

Then again, if Windows 8 kicks off, and especially if laptop/tablet hybrids, like the Asus Transformer Book, Surface, Surface Pro and Acer W700 work, Windows 8 would be the ideal operating system of the future, given that the laptop/tablet hybrid form factor becomes famous enough - I am certainly into the idea and would buy one of those but won't because they are new and their prices would be wayyy over the roof. In those cases, Widnows 8 double interface makes it perfect.

As for the minimise thing, again, the Metro is for tablet so you just switch between them and that's like minimising the application. You don't have to use the Metro and can just stick with the desktop look (again, I would love it they changed and allowed you to make this the default because Metro is not so much useful on a laptop or desktop - I hope that the service packs or other upgrades somehow change this). As for closing, you can do that. You have to do something like click on the top and, then, drag it downward and this closes it - something like that, at least that's how it works on a touch screen.

By the way, if you stick with Windows 7, according to your criteria, you can keep it till the 2020s even because XP is still supported and will be till, like, 2014 so you won't have to worry about that.

Edited by Khadim uz Zahra, 04 August 2012 - 07:35 AM.