Windows 8 who's buying/upgrading

[anything I don't mind]

http://www.hardcore-games.tk/wp/old-games-no-win8.php

Came across this looking for more info about software not working. I use some old software at times.

 

[ChileanLlama]

You always get FUD when new OS appeared,just look at previous operating systems by Microsoft,problem with Win8 is by designing to be a tablet OS as well, the desktop users got the short straw ,Win8 can be jack of all trades but Win8 is a master of none IMHO, however its stable and fast with a much higher learning curve then previous Microsoft operating systems,sure some people will hate Metro(not a fan myself as a desktop user) and as always some things Microsoft have done that others and I won't like.

I don't agree though, desktop users didn't really get a short straw. Yes I agree there's a learning curve, but once over that it's really not that much different aesthetics aside. You just have two OS's mashed together and you can, in the main, ignore the new one in most circumstances if you want to.

It just might mean relearning a few things and take time before it becomes second nature again.

In all honesty I can't recall seeing any real examples of where things are significantly harder to do on Windows 8 than on Windows 7 - providing you've got over the initial shock of it all.

I do feel gamers got nothing new in Win8 unless you count Store,I do wish Microsoft had put as much thinking in Win8 as they did for tablet users,then maybe gamers might of got something new or improved.
Win8 you can look at in many different ways ie desktop user,gamer,tablet user etc...each one has different needs.

Having said that I will be buying Win8 for my laptop(I also use Win8 RTM version on my backup PC) but wanted Microsoft to throw gamers a new bone or two,or do they think gaming is all for consoles and they can't do nothing new with Windows for gaming?

I'm not sure if MS ever have gamers as a priority audience. It's a general purpose OS. There's a few games I've seen problems with, many of which are easily fixed by getting the latest GFWL (which includes many on Groen's list). So whilst there may not be something new for gamers, it's pretty much the same experience as in Windows 7. In reality what specific improvements were you expecting MS to develop to support gaming more?

If anything on the gaming front MS haven't been as proactive with partners as with Windows 7 to ensure drivers are all working well. I've had issues with NVidia, TrackIR, Asus - movement is being made, but it's nowhere near as polished as it was with 7.

 

[Elevon]

ChileanLlama:They could have left an option for Start button,not everybody likes the crappy right click in left corner option or think its an improvement,did they not think quite a few desktops users like myself have been using Start button and menu since XP days,ie XP,Vista,Win7, an option to have included it(enabled or disabled option) would have been nice but no desktop users got short straw on that,look how many people have downloaded the Shell and Start8 programs,that says it all.


Gamers got a new DX in Vista and Win7,I'm not saying we need a new DX right now but something new for gamers would have been nice(I'm not asking for a big list),maybe Microsoft should have thought what else can be improved in Win8 for gamers?..they had years to think of something,but no they were more interested in tablets thats how I see it.


I like to have my games in Start Menu, not on desktop (makes it cluttered)or taskbar(taskbar I use for other programs like WMC etc....oh wait even that is only available on Win8 Pro as an option),again desktop users got the short straw.

 

[ChileanLlama]

ChileanLlama:They could have left an option for Start button,not everybody likes the crappy right click in left corner option or think its an improvement,did they not think quite a few desktops users like myself have been using Start button and menu since XP days,ie XP,Vista,Win7, an option to have included it(enabled or disabled option) would have been nice but no desktop users got short straw on that,look how many people have downloaded the Shell and Start8 programs,that says it all.


Gamers got a new DX in Vista and Win7,I'm not saying we need a new DX right now but something new for gamers would have been nice,maybe Microsoft should have thought what else can be improved in Win8 for gamers?..they had years to think of something.


I like to have my games in Start Menu, not on desktop (makes it cluttered)or taskbar(taskbar I use for other programs like WMC etc....oh wait even that is only available on Win8 Pro as an option),again desktop users got the short straw.

The start menu thing. Meh. That's part of the relearning and reorganising your workflow. We can go round in circles on this for ever more, but notice I didn't call it an improvement, if I were asked I'd call it different.

MS have made a decision, they will have had good reasons for doing so. But the old phrase "you can lead a horse to water but you can't force it to drink" might have some relevance. People seem to forget MS is a business and not a community developed OS. If they get it wrong they fail.

As for the games, come up with something tangible that's missing. Sounds like you were hoping they'd developed something you don't need if you can't think of it. This release was always about mashing together a desktop and mobile OS and not much more. If there's any advances in gaming expect it on any new Xbox initially and then to filter to PC, just like Kinect. After all the PC is not a leading gaming platform any more

I've already said numerous times not everyone has to like it, at least it seems you've tried it before coming to that conclusion, and that's good enough reason for sticking on Windows 7.

 

[Elevon]

The start menu thing. Meh. That's part of the relearning and reorganising your workflow. We can go round in circles on this for ever more, but notice I didn't call it an improvement, if I were asked I'd call it different.

MS have made a decision, they will have had good reasons for doing so. But the old phrase "you can lead a horse to water but you can't force it to drink" might have some relevance. People seem to forget MS is a business and not a community developed OS. If they get it wrong they fail.

As for the games, come up with something tangible that's missing. Sounds like you were hoping they'd developed something you don't need if you can't think of it. This release was always about mashing together a desktop and mobile OS and not much more. If there's any advances in gaming expect it on any new Xbox initially and then to filter to PC, just like Kinect. After all the PC is not a leading gaming platform any more

I've already said numerous times not everyone has to like it, at least it seems you've tried it before coming to that conclusion, and that's good enough reason for sticking on Windows 7.

You notice I know the shortcut for hidden start menu(right click in left corner) but lets be honest "average joe" won't know about it and yeah it sucks.

I've been using Win8 for quite awhile now,its going on my laptop mainly because of bootup speed and battery improvements.
For my gaming desktop PC I've to find a real reason why I want to use Win8 so will see how it pans out after its official release.

Microsoft improved sound for gamers ie software sound redesign back in Vista days and threw in two new DXs one in Vista then Win7(which Vista got later) however gamers got nothing new in Win8,even if I thought of something new it would be too late for Win8 plus would Microsoft pay me for my idea hell no lol.

After all the PC is not a leading gaming platform any more

Hardware wise PC has always led for gaming.

Sounds like you were hoping they'd developed something you don't need if you can't think of it

I can think of a few things, ie DX11.5 or improve on DX,make drivers needed for gaming ie video driver,sound drivers "noob" friendly of those that don't know how to install them,I know a few people that can't even install video drivers,ie maybe gaming driver update option or checker program for gamers in Win8,(not Windows update),I know Steam has it but not everybody uses Steam.

I could open up a whole can of worms about copy protection in games on Windows ,could Microsoft improve or make it more user friendly for gaming?..I think we all had issues where you needed certain version of copy protection to run or it was not compatible with your current Windows version etc...

 

[anything I don't mind]

After all the PC is not a leading gaming platform any more

How sure are you about that, because any statistics i see that pc platform is still out selling consoles individually. At a $16 billion annually to say that pc games market is some how old and not relevant is ridiculous. Microsoft obviously have more incentive to push their xbox than encourage pc gaming.

Windows 7 was still very backwards compatible and windows 8 appears to be the first MS os in a while that have had backwards comparability issues, this is some what inevitable and expected as OS progress. Still a consideration for many people though when deciding to move to it, that can not realy be ignored.

http://www.reghardware.com/2011/09/23/pc_gaming_to_dominate_consoles_financially_by_2015/

 

[Craig321]

Hi all just wondering who will be upgrading or buying windows 8

Do you think it will be worth it or just another waste of money

For £25, definitely. I've been using it at work for the past 2 months and I quite like it. I don't use the tiles at all though. I'll give them a try at home, but I may just install one of those 3rd party start menus if I can't find anything useful.

 

[ChileanLlama]

You notice I know the shortcut for hidden start menu(right click in left corner) but lets be honest "average joe" won't know about it and yeah it sucks.

I've been using Win8 for quite awhile now,its going on my laptop mainly because of bootup speed and battery improvements.
For my gaming desktop PC I've to find a real reason why I want to use Win8 so will see how it pans out after its official release.

Microsoft improved sound for gamers ie software sound redesign back in Vista days and threw in two new DXs one in Vista then Win7(which Vista got later) however gamers got nothing new in Win8,even if I thought of something new it would be too late for Win8 plus would Microsoft pay me for my idea hell no lol.

Hardware wise PC has always led for gaming.

Yes I did say that it was evident you'd used it

There's far too much second guessing and using "average joe" examples to support an argument. I'm sure they'll do just fine as always

Being honest, for me Windows 8 is about learning something new and the potential it brings rather than the improvements it brings in the short term.

I seriously have no problem when people have tried it and don't like it and make a considered decision to stay on Windows 7. It's the spreading of rubbish information about it (and I accept that happens on both sides of the argument) that grates.

How sure are you about that, because any statistics i see that pc platform is still out selling consoles individually. At a $16 billion annually to say that pc games market is some how old and not relevant is ridiculous. Microsoft obviously have more incentive to push their xbox than encourage pc gaming.

Windows 7 was still very backwards compatible and windows 8 appears to be the first MS os in a while that have had backwards comparability issues, this is some what inevitable and expected as OS progress. Still a consideration for many people though when deciding to move to it, that can not realy be ignored.

PC may be leading in terms of hardware. Agreed. PC's in general will outsell consoles, but are all these used for gaming? But MS clearly don't see it as leading, they no longer develop AAA games for the platform, or very few and most games are developed primarily for consoles with ports to PC. It's still an important gaming platform, just no longer leading and not as important as it once was.

Windows 8 doesn't have major compatibility issues. As I mentioned before games needing GFWL need an update, that resolves a lot on that list you posted. The one recent game I can't get going is IL2 Cliffs of Dover.

 

[Elevon]

I've added copy protection to my previous post,its not that I don't like Win8,its usable but a few steps back in some ways and as a desktop and gamer user I'm a bit disappointed,however having said all that it boots and shuts down fast ,very stable IMHO and experience and also improved battery performance for notebook/laptops users.

The tablet side is a pure waste for me on Windows.
Lets just say this is my honest feedback.

 

[ChileanLlama]

I've added copy protection to my previous post,its not that I don't like Win8,its usable but a few steps back in some ways and as a desktop and gamer user I'm a bit disappointed,however having said all that it boots and shuts down fast ,very stable IMHO and experience and also improved battery performance for notebook/laptops users.

The tablet side is a pure waste for me on Windows.
Lets just say this is my honest feedback.

I'm not going to try and convince you it's better You've tried it and have made your own decision.

The copy protection is not something MS can fix, it's down to those developers that use it to fix it, and have no doubt been coding stuff that they know is not supported/recommended due to the very type of software it is. Most of my stuff is now through Steam, and not seeing this issue. If it is an issue then it's a good reason not to upgrade.

The tablet side is the potential for the future, and no doubt MS's strategy of getting it out to millions of users in a short space of time to ensure development and support for their phones and tablets that would have been much harder otherwise.

For me the jury is out on the apps at the moment, time will tell. I will have a quiet laugh to myself though if it does take off and that "killer" app comes out shortly after the promotional upgrade prices end For 25 quid it's worth taking a risk even if people don't install it right away - and they've still got til January to make up their minds

 

[DeathStorm]

With Shell or Start8 you can boot straight to desktop,thats what many users and I do,for the most part you can avoid Metro.

I end up putting short cuts etc.. on desktop via taskbar and Start button menu(I use that a lot).

Why do you want to boot to the desktop? I would have thought it faster having the start screen up first so you can pick the software you want to run rather than putting software on to bypass that step so you can ultimately do the same action.

 

[apatia77]

Have been using Windows 8 at work all day and I have to say that once you get used to the new interface/menu the experience is as good as with Windows 7. Having 2 screens enhances Windows 8 experience imo.

What I found is that knowing just 4-5 shortcuts ie Windows key + X, Windows key + Q, Windows key + D etc lets you perform everything as fast or even faster than in Windows 7.

 

[Elevon]

Why do you want to boot to the desktop? I would have thought it faster having the start screen up first so you can pick the software you want to run rather than putting software on to bypass that step so you can ultimately do the same action.

I guess it depends on what you want to do,I like to go into browser mode via desktop check messenger while downloading etc..plus if I want to game easy to do from Start button since all my favourite games are listed even Steam so even if I went to start screen I would be clicking a few things rather then one,I don't like Metro or the look so avoid that at all costs.

I don't like keyboard shortcuts either that Win8 has a lot of.

 

[Matteysan]

Had no problems with any of the games I have installed on the Consumer Preview, All my games are listed within metro in the order I have set them out, I also have another list within Steam I don't see what is so hard about that.

My desktop still functions just like it used to but now its much quicker to get to everything I want, Especially now all the tiles are how I want them. I can't see me using any of the metro apps personally, But we shall see!

I put the consumer preview on my nieces laptop (she's 10) because the recovery partition screwed up, I said to her "This is Windows 8 enjoy!" I haven't had one question about how to do anything yet & she has certainly found her way around it just fine, Infact she has shown me a couple of tricks since!

I have used Windows since 3.1 & I didn't like the new interface at first, But now I am used to it I don't even use a shell no more, I agree it could be improved to show where the area is to enter the fullscreen start menu but it isn't a biggy. I rarely see the metro interface when I am on my desktop.

I will say one thing that another poster has mentioned already, Windows 8 is much better with multiple monitors.

How mine looks:

I tried the dev preview a while back and the metro on my 24" screen looked absolutely disgusting. Like a 5 year old's flash game. It was also annoying as hell because it infected the atb+tab so i couldn't avoid it and kept going to it by mistake when i wanted to try and ignore i would find myself back at the metro screen constantly.

If only they just added a disable metro option.

What do you mean your Alt+tab is infected? I don't see metro at all when I alt+tab on the desktop...

 

[hyperst]

Had no problems with any of the games I have installed on the Consumer Preview, All my games are listed within metro in the order I have set them out, I also have another list within Steam I don't see what is so hard about that.

My desktop still functions just like it used to but now its much quicker to get to everything I want, Especially now all the tiles are how I want them. I can't see me using any of the metro apps personally, But we shall see!

I put the consumer preview on my nieces laptop (she's 10) because the recovery partition screwed up, I said to her "This is Windows 8 enjoy!" I haven't had one question about how to do anything yet & she has certainly found her way around it just fine, Infact she has shown me a couple of tricks since!

I have used Windows since 3.1 & I didn't like the new interface at first, But now I am used to it I don't even use a shell no more, I agree it could be improved to show where the area is to enter the fullscreen start menu but it isn't a biggy. I rarely see the metro interface when I am on my desktop.

I will say one thing that another poster has mentioned already, Windows 8 is much better with multiple monitors.

How mine looks:

What do you mean your Alt+tab is infected? I don't see metro at all when I alt+tab on the desktop...

So you have 35 items there and it takes nearly all your screen, you have room for about another 23 items, looks neat enough, but just not enough room really.
Here is my windows 7 desktop with 48 items plus a start button that hides a plethora of other stuff and I also have an hidden amount of icons in the notification area of my task bar. and plenty of nice desktop space for wallpaper of beautiful ladies

Not liking the look of 8, I like my desktop easy on the eyes

 

[Matteysan]

So you have 35 items there and it takes nearly all your screen, you have room for about another 23 items, looks neat enough, but just not enough room really.
Here is my windows 7 desktop with 48 items plus a start button that hides a plethora of other stuff and I also have an hidden amount of icons in the notification area of my task bar. and plenty of nice desktop space for wallpaper of beautiful ladies


Not liking the look of 8, I like my desktop easy on the eyes

I have 35 items but much more installed & I haven't got around to installing everything I usually use yet because I am using the Consumer Preview. I also have some things pinned to my taskbar! shock horror

My desktop has 1 icon & that is the recycle bin, Guess what? Not 48 items on my desktop covering my wallpaper.

Desktop for example:

My monitor is only 1680x1050.

Each to their own though everyone likes different things. I like everything looking clean.

 

[hyperst]

I have 35 items but much more installed & I haven't got around to installing everything I usually use yet because I am using the Consumer Preview. I also have some things pinned to my taskbar! shock horror

My desktop has 1 icon & that is the recycle bin, Guess what? Not 48 items on my desktop covering my wallpaper.

Desktop for example:

My monitor is only 1680x1050.

But, is that not pointless having a desktop in there with nothing but a recycle bin?

 

[Matteysan]

But, is that not pointless having a desktop in there with nothing but a recycle bin?

Why? That is how I have always used windows, Nothing goes on my desktop. When I am full screen in the web browser for example. I don't want to have to click "show desktop/minimise" just to click an icon that is hidden behind lots of Windows.

Metro makes it easy, Click into it, Click what I want & straight back out again. Or click in, type what I want & its back to the desktop loading.

 

[hyperst]

Why? That is how I have always used windows, Nothing goes on my desktop. When I am full screen in the web browser for example. I don't want to have to click "show desktop/minimise" just to click an icon that is hidden behind lots of Windows.

Metro makes it easy, Click into it, Click what I want & straight back out again. Or click in, type what I want & its back to the desktop loading.

But now you have a desktop with no start button, so you need to go to the metro part to initiate a task you want, also in the metro you have the tiles taking up a large amount of space that would usually only require a icon in the first place, it just seems to be a mash up to me and there is no need for it, tbh I think 8 is just for MS to milk people of money for ''Apps''.

 

[Glaucus]

What's the difference open start menu or open start screen. I know which one is easier to use and both take one click to activate.
That's if you even need to open it in the first place. Pin stuff to taskbar.
Then ontop of that not only is metro easier than start menu to find your stuff, you also have live tiles so you can have a quick glance at your email, Callander, messgaes or whatever live tiles you have set up.
Then also on top of that, you have a far nicer search, although it needs to change one thing and show all results, or at least if no results found move to the next group with highest amount found.

Number of icons on start screen depends on your resolution.