How is Windows 8?

GiraffePencils

GiraffePencils

GiraffePencils

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Hey,

I've heard a lot of humms and haas, a lot of moaning about it too.
But how is Windows 8(or more correctly 8.1) as an operating system compared to 7?

Long story short I no longer have access to the MSDN I got my windows 7 from, going into a new build I'm gonna need an OS and was wondering if I should grab a Windows 7 or go for the newer 8.1?
I've only briefly used 8 and it's alright, but initially confusing to me.

I mainly Game and program using Visual studio 2008 & 2010, Unity 3D, etc
I would assume these would run fine but thought It was best to get some feedback/opinions.

Thanks :D
 
8 was bad 8.1 however im getting on with your opinions might vary but its working for me and i refused to upgrade from 7 to 8
 
It is a bit weird at first but its a very good OS imho. Lower overheads than 7, so that's nice.
 
Took a few days to get used to it but it's much quicker than Windows 7 especially the boot times with SSD. Only downside is the UI formally known as Metro, which I get around not using by sticking all my shortcuts to the start menu.

MW
 
I'd say if you don't have Windows 7 already, go Windows 8. It is the latest OS and it has a lot of nice tweaks. The new UI not being one of them...

However if you like the UI you'll be fine, if you don't there is always StartisBack/Start8 or Classic Shell to bring back the Start Menu again.
 
linktoinsanity said:
I'd say if you don't have Windows 7 already, go Windows 8......
Click to expand...

I'm using Windows 7 now but no Key as it's linked to the MSDN I no longer have, So pretty strong consensus it seems,
Anyone had issues with drivers/programs not going well?

I have a friend who plays Path of Exile and he says people have had issues with 8
 
You'll want to research specific games if they're important to you. I've had a couple of issues with drivers and 8.1 but no showstoppers and it's really to be expected with a new release.

First impressions are usually the worst with Windows 8, it grows on the majority of people over time. And as pointed out you can tweak it to pretty much look and feel like a better Windows 7.
 
Try it with an open mind and you won't look back.
I find windows 7 dated now. Metro is not to everyone's taste but all it really is is a full screen animated start menu. Get your head past that and you will get it,
My 2c
 
As a gamer myself I'm very happy with Win8.1 and have quite a few games installed from oldies to latest,playing some really old classics at the moment like BG1,Icewind Dale etc...


No issues at all for me,very solid OS.

Like any new OS once you adjust to the new features/changes etc very easy to use.
 
I've just got Windows 8 and now upgraded to 8.1.

The only difference I've found so far is the start menu and corner screen functions.

Windows 8.1. has a start menu shortcut key built in on the menu bar, cool!
 
I was a bit iffy with 8
I was under the impression that 8 will be another Vista, and I was not wanting to go.
Admittedly, a mate got hold of it naughty naughty and after some twiddling about with a few apps, we got it sorted and I kind of liked it.

So, I got it for myself and I have not looked back!

I downloaded ClassicShell and that got me the start bar back, and I got rid of everything that makes Windows 8 windows 8 and I am happy.

Irritatingly however, is that I have also bought all the stardock stuff to make it look like Windows 7 and no matter what, I cannot for the life of me get it to work on my main PC however, if I throw Win 8 onto another PC, I can. That has annoyed me more than anything in years.
 
gillywibble said:
Windows 8.1. has a start menu shortcut key built in on the menu bar, cool!
Click to expand...

Do you mean the right click menu?
If so that was there in win8

Pointless buying win7, win8 is better in many many way.
It takes a little while to get used to, but metro does make a better start menu, and f course some of the apps are far better than the desktop equivalent. Albeit mainly media consumption apps, as they've had years of development on ios/android etc and been neglected on desktop.
 
In a way i actually preferred 8 to 8.1, but its more of the annoyances with the likes of the first run guides, being unable to do an in-line upgrade (enterprise), new programs no longer get added to the start screen and the poor implication of group policy's to control the start screen.
 
New apps not appearing on the Start screen is actually annoying. It should prompt you as it's downloading "would you like to pin this app to Start screen? Yes/No" instead of assuming people know it defaults to the app drawer.

A genuine example of bad design in Windows 8.1 in my opinion.
 
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