OT: Windows 8

[Naples39]

Anybody try this? It's available for a free download right now.

I downloaded it and made it a dual boot on my machine. It's pretty disorienting honestly. While the traditional desktop is there (but hidden away), it definitely feels very much like a tablet/phone OS. Maybe I'll play with it but I'm not sure I'm going to install a bunch of programs and use it predominantly anytime soon.

It has pretty heavy xbox integration--if your xbox is on you can control your xbox (navigate, launch games) from your PC.

[Diablo25]

Yeah, you can tell they designed it with tablets in mind. I passed on the consumer preview

[Sport73]

I'm running it via VMWare on my MacBook Air, and despite being the Apple fanboy, I'm very impressed. Microsoft is innovating rather than copying Apple, and has a chance to retain/reclaim their OS dominance thanks to an attractive, fun to use, and innovative UX that suggests a single interface model can work from phone to tablet to desktop.

A lot hinges on developer support, MS execution, and polishing off rough edges in the overall gesture expectations, but MS is off to a good start and Android should be worried about being the also-ran in the tablet space.

[dbdynsty25]

I'm running it via VMWare on my MacBook Air, and despite being the Apple fanboy, I'm very impressed. Microsoft is innovating rather than copying Apple, and has a chance to retain/reclaim their OS dominance thanks to an attractive, fun to use, and innovative UX that suggests a single interface model can work from phone to tablet to desktop.

A lot hinges on developer support, MS execution, and polishing off rough edges in the overall gesture expectations, but MS is off to a good start and Android should be worried about being the also-ran in the tablet space.

It's funny. I was listening to some podcast the other day and they made a good point. Android doesn't necessarily care if they are a dominant player in the tablet space. Their business won't live and die with the tablet. Microsoft and Apple need their tablets to be successful to sustain their businesses (Microsoft especially) so I don't think it is that big of a deal.

What's unfortunate for android is that it took them so long to get to this point on their tablet operating system with the slow ass rollout of ice cream sandwich. Played with the quad core transformer prime today w ics and it's soooooo much better than any of the honeycomb based tablets. The slow adoption of manufactures to get the OS to the hardware on the market is their main issue now. If people used ics as their first into to an android tablet then they'd be a lot more satisfied with the experience. It just shows me that the tablet market is not at the top of googles list.

Very interested to find a tablet that I can actually be productive on. Android and OS5 just don't cut it when it comes to work stuff. We will see I guess. I always am down for a new operating system to shake up the market.

[Rodster]

I'll jump on board when they release the retail product. DB any word if ICS is coming to my Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1? I've searched and all I could come up with is NO, YES or maybe, depending who's article you read.

[JRod]

It's too bad MS killed off the courier. That was exactly what I need.

[Naples39]

This comes out in 2 weeks. I think I am going to upgrade, just to shake things up basically. Figures my office computer will finally be upgraded to Windows 7 at the same time I switch off it at home.

[Diablo25]

This comes out in 2 weeks. I think I am going to upgrade, just to shake things up basically. Figures my office computer will finally be upgraded to Windows 7 at the same time I switch off it at home.

I'll be upgrading my desktop when it arrives.

I'm interested to see how Surface debuts.

[Diablo25]

Anyone upgrade yet? I ran the compatibility utility and my Pc is pretty much ready. Only like one of my programs isn't compatible. Just haven't pulled the trigger yet. Any impressions?

[dbdynsty25]

Played with it at the store...it's horrific. Windows ME all over again as far as I'm concerned. Windows 7 was/is fantastic, so I'll stick with that for a while.

[Diablo25]

I think I'm going to wait on it for now. Most of the reviews have been favorable. I like that MS is trying to make a change. Time will tell if its worth it.

[Rodster]

I tried in store at an Office Depot and I actually liked it. I thought I was going to utterly hate and thought the OS design was pretty cool. I an upgrade license for $15 so i'll drop it on one of my laptops and mess with it.

[Naples39]

I installed it this weekend. $40 for an upgrade from win 7 home to windows 8 pro was too good a deal.

It's a bit disorienting, but the windows 7 desktop is still there. Sometimes it almost feels like you are running two operating systems at the same time, switching between metro and classic desktop. Fortunately you switch back and forth basically instantly. Until more apps get the 'metro' treatment, my computer will generally sit at the windows 7 desktop and it will be like nothing changed.

I also installed a tweak to get the start button back on the windows 7 desktop, which is removed by default.

[vader29]

I've read conflicting reports that the $40 upgrade replaces your Windows 7 installation and can't be installed as a dual boot and some say it can, installing it as a dual boot is the only way I would have interest in it.

[Naples39]

I've read conflicting reports that the $40 upgrade replaces your Windows 7 installation and can't be installed as a dual boot and some say it can, installing it as a dual boot is the only way I would have interest in it.

I don't think it can be installed as a dual-boot, though I didn't look. Personally though, I don't see why would you need dual boot. If you run that upgrade all your apps stay, and can be run from the windows 7 desktop environment like nothing changed.

[dbdynsty25]

You can always do a fresh install with an upgrade disc (or file)...just takes a little registry work. Google it.

Or at least you could with Windows 7 and prior.

[Naples39]

You can always do a fresh install with an upgrade disc (or file)...just takes a little registry work. Google it.

Or at least you could with Windows 7 and prior.

The $40 price is for download only, and runs through an update assistant. I presume that severely limits your ability to pull tricks.

[dbdynsty25]

You can always do a fresh install with an upgrade disc (or file)...just takes a little registry work. Google it.

Or at least you could with Windows 7 and prior.

The $40 price is for download only, and runs through an update assistant. I presume that severely limits your ability to pull tricks.

Severely limiting and preventing are two different phrases entirely. There always are ways around preventive measures.

AND BTW...I recommend NEVER upgrading software. Clean installs are ALWAYS better, especially when it comes to full OS installs. That's just fact.

[Naples39]

You can always do a fresh install with an upgrade disc (or file)...just takes a little registry work. Google it.

Or at least you could with Windows 7 and prior.

The $40 price is for download only, and runs through an update assistant. I presume that severely limits your ability to pull tricks.

Severely limiting and preventing are two different phrases entirely. There always are ways around preventive measures.

AND BTW...I recommend NEVER upgrading software. Clean installs are ALWAYS better, especially when it comes to full OS installs. That's just fact.

Yeah, I usually do clean installs too. I actually wipe my computer and reinstall the OS fresh every year or so, and I'm not sure I'll be able to do this with my $40 purchase...

[Diablo25]

Here is a nice little Windows 8 primer from the Verge.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/28/3562 ... w-to-guide

[FatPitcher]

I'm loving Windows 8, personally. It's fast, stable, and looks pretty sharp. No more clutter of desktop icons and no tedious navigation of the Start menu. Win-Q, start typing in what I want to find, and it pops up instantly - much quicker than the Win 7 search, and it's specific to Apps, Settings (win-W) and files (win-F). If you like to get where you're going quick using keyboard shortcuts, it's fantastic.

I dislike the Metro internet explorer and use Chrome or desktop version of IE.

I think the Store interface is pretty cluttered, could definitely use better organization. Also better apps, only a few really useful ones so far.

[Diablo25]

Well, I went and upgraded to Windows 8 (was bored) and I really like it so far. It's going to take some getting used to but I'm impressed.

[Naples39]

I'm loving Windows 8, personally. It's fast, stable, and looks pretty sharp. No more clutter of desktop icons and no tedious navigation of the Start menu. Win-Q, start typing in what I want to find, and it pops up instantly - much quicker than the Win 7 search, and it's specific to Apps, Settings (win-W) and files (win-F). If you like to get where you're going quick using keyboard shortcuts, it's fantastic.

I dislike the Metro internet explorer and use Chrome or desktop version of IE.

I think the Store interface is pretty cluttered, could definitely use better organization. Also better apps, only a few really useful ones so far.

I agree that a cluttered desktop is an outdated design. I'm looking forward to scrapping it, but my most used apps like Chrome don't support metro, so every time I use it, it sends me back to the desktop. Unless I am missing something?

[Diablo25]

I'm loving Windows 8, personally. It's fast, stable, and looks pretty sharp. No more clutter of desktop icons and no tedious navigation of the Start menu. Win-Q, start typing in what I want to find, and it pops up instantly - much quicker than the Win 7 search, and it's specific to Apps, Settings (win-W) and files (win-F). If you like to get where you're going quick using keyboard shortcuts, it's fantastic.

I dislike the Metro internet explorer and use Chrome or desktop version of IE.

I think the Store interface is pretty cluttered, could definitely use better organization. Also better apps, only a few really useful ones so far.

I agree that a cluttered desktop is an outdated design. I'm looking forward to scrapping it, but my most used apps like Chrome don't support metro, so every time I use it, it sends me back to the desktop. Unless I am missing something?

Nope, you aren't missing anything.

I couldn't figure out how to close apps at first but then I read you just "grab" the top of the app and drag down - boom.

[Sport73]

Anyone know if I can buy the Windows 8 Pro download and install it on my Macbook Pro VMWare that only has the Win8 Release Preview on it?

I have a license key for an old Windows XP install if needed, and I'm happy to do a clean install. Just not sure if I will be able to meet the licensing check since MS is so damn greedy about protecting the OS install.

Thanks,