Windows 8. Do desktop users need it?

[Zipa]

No from what I've used of Windows 8 it seems that desktop users are not the focus of this OS. I'm not bothered they got rid of the start menu, the problem is that the metro ui does not work as well as the start menu. For starters takes up the entire screen to do what the start menu does. Another thing I've found is that apps don't show up in the normal desktop taskbar instead open ones are shown by hovering the mouse over the top left corner. so far I've found no way to close these apps except through the task manager (if anyone knows another way I'd love to know). So far my personal verdict is that it is clunky to use and the slight performance improvements over windows 7 is not worth the upgrade.

The ''apps'' are supposed to close automatically after a period of time, which is daft.

 

[Megacherv]

3 words: 10 second boot-up.


Also other optimisations and the start menu is actually better than the Win7 one (seriously, it's easier to navigate), but 10 second boot-up guys

Also, Metro-style UI looks much better than Aero's Chrome-iness

 

[The Artificially Prolonged]

No from what I've used of Windows 8 it seems that desktop users are not the focus of this OS. I'm not bothered they got rid of the start menu, the problem is that the metro ui does not work as well as the start menu. For starters takes up the entire screen to do what the start menu does. Another thing I've found is that apps don't show up in the normal desktop taskbar instead open ones are shown by hovering the mouse over the top left corner. so far I've found no way to close these apps except through the task manager (if anyone knows another way I'd love to know). So far my personal verdict is that it is clunky to use and the slight performance improvements over windows 7 is not worth the upgrade.

The ''apps'' are supposed to close automatically after a period of time, which is daft.

Man that is daft. I though I was just missing the hidden close button.

 

[SpAc3man]

I will be getting a free copy through MSDNAA so I will be upgrading as soon as I get a good look at the stability of the final release. Metro is amazingly efficient when you actually stop whinging about it being different and learn how to use it properly. I don't use the start menu any more because I've actually figured out it's faster to use things pinned to the taskbar and the search functionality to get to anything that isn't on the taskbar. Start Screen is just an expansion of the best way to use modern Windows. Of course all the idiots who have been saying there is no reason to upgrade to 7 from XP are going to struggle to make the switch from a 11 year old OS (Seriously that's like still using Win3.1 two years after XP was released). All this crying over change reminds me of what happened when Microsoft introduced the Start Menu in Win95 to replace the Program Manager. I can only imagine it was the same with the change from a CLI to a GUI.

Have a look at this image. Obviously the top portion is what all the Metro haters think its going to be like. Bottom portion is what it is like when you actually use it properly. Everything organised into tidy, well spaced out, readable, custom groups.

Spoiler

Another thing to add is live tiles. Some tiles are able to give you information. You can see news updates, email notifications, RSS feeds, social media notifications, weather. Anything developers care to integrate into their app tiles. You could check everything you would normally check by looking at the one screen instead of having to open whatever apps you normally need. Even the login screen has notifications.

It all sounds great to me. Can't wait.

 

[mirage202]

I have two concerns about Windows 8.

First, and by far the biggest, we all know the crap Microsoft pulls with the Xbox, they are doing that right now, for the whole world to see. I don't see how anybody can possibly honestly believe that this couldn't be the start of a slippery slope towards pulling the exact same crap on desktop PC's. It's not as if this is some sort of made up fiction by fear mongers, it's for real, Xbox Marketplace.

What's to stop MS from making Windows 9 (whenever it happens) into a desktop version of current xbox software? turning the vast majority of home PC's into closed off systems, or even worse, progressing that way with Windows 8 service packs? Personally I'd rather vote no with my wallet now, and refuse my paltry $40 to MS, before that happens.

Second, Why oh why are Microsoft forcing a touch/tablet OS on people? You can easily see that their share of the smartphone/tablet market is next to nothing. Xune was a failure, Windows Phone was a failure, Surface may look shiny and interesting, but why believe it will fare any better than previous offerings. The whole setup stinks of the beginnings of forcing it's way into a market share. What good are your Galaxy Tabs, or iPad's when the vast majority are using a Windows desktop that only the Surface will be capable of interacting with? So long other manufacturers being able to synch tablets and phones with desktops, MS could be on the path to locking them out for good.

OT: Do desktop users need it? Dunno. Personally I'll stick with 7, doing the job nicely.

 

[mad825]

Have a look at this image. Obviously the top portion is what all the Metro haters think its going to be like. Bottom portion is what it is like when you actually use it properly.

Another thing to add is live tiles. Some tiles are able to give you information. You can see news updates, email notifications, RSS feeds, social media notifications, weather. Anything developers care to integrate into their app tiles. You could check everything you would normally check by looking at the one screen instead of having to open whatever apps you normally need. Even the login screen has notifications.

It all sounds great to me. Can't wait.

It's the overemphasis with icons that people are hating. Even so, why remove it completely? Why not leave an option? Why are we being forced to use Metro?

I wouldn't having it but if it meant removing the start button then I would rather do without.

 

[mikecoulter]

I think Windows 8 will be pretty amazing, even though I'm going to have the classic desktop look.

But I'll only be buying it discounted, hopefully with some kind of pre-order offer.

I love Windows 7, but I'm sure there will be some benefit to a desktop user by updating too.

 

[Andrew_C]

They are aiming for battery conservation...because of course this was designed for handhelds, not desktops, or even laptops.

How does not being able to close an app save battery?

...Everything organised into tidy, well spaced out, readable, custom groups.

Spoiler

Another thing to add is live tiles...
It all sounds great to me. Can't wait.

It's a vast improvement over the default layout, but it still wastes huge amounts of space. How do you do that, though? I used Win 8 (Release Preview) for several days before giving up in disgust and never managed to find how you customise the Metro screen.

Also, Live Tiles? Just another reimplementation of desktop widgets, which have been in Windows in various forms since XP (earlier if you include 3rd-party implementations).

EDIT: spelling, formatting

 

[Verzin]

I'm not upgrading. Not yet anyway. I'll give them a year to work out all tha bugs/stuff that makes people rage.

 

[Epona]

Alright, it was mildly amusing that people keep saying Windows 8 is going to suck because Windows 7 is good. If that is the worst criticism you have for Windows 8, then you should just sit down and stop talking.

Windows 8 is just as solid as Windows 7 and those who are using it right now know that. The problem with Windows 8 is that it really is Windows 7 with a new start screen. Not worth paying alot of money for.

Microsoft is offering it for $40 for the first three months and it's probably worth that.

 

[Zipa]

Alright, it was mildly amusing that people keep saying Windows 8 is going to suck because Windows 7 is good. If that is the worst criticism you have for Windows 8, then you should just sit down and stop talking.

Windows 8 is just as solid as Windows 7 and those who are using it right now know that. The problem with Windows 8 is that it really is Windows 7 with a new start screen. Not worth paying alot of money for.

Microsoft is offering it for $40 for the first three months and it's probably worth that.

There are a whole host of issues that people have with windows 8. Even Microsoft approved software developers (Brad Wardell of Stardock ) say it has serious issues for the desktop user.

 

[SecretsOfMoon]

Oh and if you're complaining about the lack of a start menu then why the hell are you using the start menu?

What?

The biggest complaint about 8 seems to be replacing the start menu with metro. But the start menu has been completely pointless for years now.

Unless you have services and CLI on your desktop and/or quick launch thing, the start menu is very much not pointless.

 

[Epona]

Alright, it was mildly amusing that people keep saying Windows 8 is going to suck because Windows 7 is good. If that is the worst criticism you have for Windows 8, then you should just sit down and stop talking.

Windows 8 is just as solid as Windows 7 and those who are using it right now know that. The problem with Windows 8 is that it really is Windows 7 with a new start screen. Not worth paying alot of money for.

Microsoft is offering it for $40 for the first three months and it's probably worth that.

There are a whole host of issues that people have with windows 8. Even Microsoft approved software developers (Brad Wardell of Stardock ) say it has serious issues for the desktop user.

...and I'll bet all of those issues are more important than "it must suck since it comes after 7".

I have no doubt that there are issues that I haven't seen and if people are talking about real problems I am all ears but this BS about "it has to suck because it comes after Win 7" is dumb.

 

[Andrew_C]

...and I'll bet all of those issues are more important than "it must suck since it comes after 7".

I have no doubt that there are issues that I haven't seen and if people are talking about real problems I am all ears but this BS about "it has to suck because it comes after Win 7" is dumb.

Only one person in this thread has said that. A lot of relevant issues, such as the difficulty of customising the Metro Screen, the space wasted by the Metro Screen and Metro apps, Metro apps running fullscreen and several other issues have been pointed out.

 

[Epona]

...and I'll bet all of those issues are more important than "it must suck since it comes after 7".

I have no doubt that there are issues that I haven't seen and if people are talking about real problems I am all ears but this BS about "it has to suck because it comes after Win 7" is dumb.

Only one person in this thread has said that. A lot of relevant issues, such as the difficulty of customising the Metro Screen, the space wasted by the Metro Screen and Metro apps, Metro apps running fullscreen and several other issues have been pointed out.

It's been said too much in other threads and it's a complete waste. It's not even mildly amusing anymore.

 

[Zipa]

Alright, it was mildly amusing that people keep saying Windows 8 is going to suck because Windows 7 is good. If that is the worst criticism you have for Windows 8, then you should just sit down and stop talking.

Windows 8 is just as solid as Windows 7 and those who are using it right now know that. The problem with Windows 8 is that it really is Windows 7 with a new start screen. Not worth paying alot of money for.

Microsoft is offering it for $40 for the first three months and it's probably worth that.

There are a whole host of issues that people have with windows 8. Even Microsoft approved software developers (Brad Wardell of Stardock ) say it has serious issues for the desktop user.

...and I'll bet all of those issues are more important than "it must suck since it comes after 7".

I have no doubt that there are issues that I haven't seen and if people are talking about real problems I am all ears but this BS about "it has to suck because it comes after Win 7" is dumb.

http://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/428680 , thats Brad Wardells issues. Gabe Newell and some guy from Blizzard have come out and said its not a good thing as well though they haven't gone into detail as of yet.

And yeah it is stupid if people are complaining (and are being serious about it) about the sequence number and only every other OS being any good from MS.