Anybody tried Windows 8, yet?

[dapmdave]

My laptop died on me a few months ago, and I finally got around to getting another. Apparently Windows 8 has now fully replaced Windows 7 on the store shelves, so I had to go with it.

I must say... wow! It really sucks big time. It seems to be profoundly useless, and I have 30 years of computer experience. I am not a newbie. If I can't make some progress with it by Friday it's all going back in the box and back to the store.

Dave

 

[guitarslinger]

Once you go Mac you'll never go back!

 

[djangstroem]

Windows 8 seems to be thought a bit to much for touch devices, the laptop i recently bought has a touch screen, and when using it that way some things kinda make sense.
But going back and forth between the launch screen and the classic desktop is a real pain !
That said i think you can deactivate some of the touch functions and get back your start menu, though i have not tried it yet...

 

[chazmo]

I find it really irritating on the desktop computer as well. I have no need/desire to work through all the initial tiles. Mostly because I know how to use the Windows desktop. They've layered all these tiles in front of it... Anyway, I feel as you do, Dave.

Microsoft is trying to keep Windows relevant in the era of smartphones and this is their attempt to make Windows more intuitive to the social media-bred users.

For PC users, it's just annoying, IMO.

I have to do this stuff at work, so I have no choice but to put up with it. But, honestly, I think Windows dominance days are rapidly vanishing. Just my opinion.

 

[dapmdave]

Once you go Mac you'll never go back!

I had been thinking about getting a Mac Book, but the 2X cost of all things Apple was turning me off. I may have to reconsider.

Dave

 

[guitarjamman]

In all honesty, I would just buy Windows XP and have it installed on your computer. As an engineer who uses AutoCAD all the time, when I got a new work computer a few months ago I immediately installed Windows XP (last great/solid windows operating system). The extra $1,000 to upgrade to a mac is really ridiculous, especially when most people only need the computer for basic tasks.

Windows 8 is for the birds......

 

[twocorgis]

I was a beta tester for Win8 Dave (though primarily a Mac user), and hated it from the first release I got. I agree with what everyone else here has said about the tiles (really annoying), and how it's really meant for a tablet or smartphone. I don't agree with what others have said about Windows XP; IMO, it's a cranky, cantankerous, nearly 12 year old obsolete operating system.

FWIW, Windows 7 is really pretty good, and you're used to using Windows, know how to maintain it, and most importantly know how to stay out of trouble! I'd try to find a refurbished laptop that runs Win7 like this one, bump up the RAM to 8GB with one of these, and call it a day. $425 shipped. Can't beat that!

 

[chazmo]

I would never buy an old laptop, but I agree with Sandy that XP is problematical. Best bet is Windows 7. Microsoft is probably preventing new sales with Windows 7, but you can get it and install it.

Ask your friends if any have the MSDN subscription (which I do at work). The media for installing different Windows versions is readily available that way, at least to test it on your hardware (if not to install it for your own use). I wonder if the retail version is still being sold.

 

[tjmangum]

I had an older Thinkpad sitting around that had Vista on it (talk about bad idea) and figured for the $39 upgrade price it was worth it to bring it back to life. "8" is better than Vista to me and faster, but not as good as Windows 7. As others have said, too much touch screen type screens and fluff. It was interesting when my grandkids were here last month to watch the 12 and 14 year olds. While I have laptops and tablets (even desk tops) around both the house and work, they had no interest in accessing them for anything - they were glued to their phones and it appears the phones supplied everything they wanted.
On a separate front, I am seeing in the auction business a steep decline in prices and interests in desks. I think they may well go the way of "entertainment center" furniture type pieces. Everybody seems to do things on a laptop, tablet or phone sitting on a couch or at the dining room table. Desks may only exist in business settings in the future, is my prediction.
T

 

[dapmdave]

In all honesty, I would just buy Windows XP and have it installed on your computer. As an engineer who uses AutoCAD all the time, when I got a new work computer a few months ago I immediately installed Windows XP (last great/solid windows operating system). The extra $1,000 to upgrade to a mac is really ridiculous, especially when most people only need the computer for basic tasks.

Windows 8 is for the birds......

I'd consider rolling the OS back, but I'd just go to Windows 7, rather than XP. I'm a big fan of 7. I contend that Microsoft Windows versions are like Star Trek movies. Every other one sucks.

I've found that you can get a nice Mac Book for about $1100. A comparable Windows-based system is about $650, so the gap is not as great as it once was.

My big problem is that I teach computers (Windows-type) to senior citizens in a volunteer program. As it is, I've had to stretch to cover XP, Vista and 7, and that confuses some folks. The addition of 8, with all of it's shortcomings, may just end my teaching career. Bummer for me, and bummer for my students.

Dave :?

 

[silverfox103]

Once you go Mac you'll never go back!

I swore I would never have anything to do with Mac's. I thought it was like being a left hander in a right handed world. My 3 kids all got them probably 10 years ago and my wife. So that left dopey me with 3 windows computers.

Boy, was I mistaken. Three years ago I bought one of those all in one Macs. Not one problem. I need the windows as it is tied into a franchise I own. I won't be doing it much longer and I only use them when I absolutely need them.

If you buy a Windows computer, you're wasting your money, that I know.

Tom C.

Edited meant to say buy a Windows computer, instead I said Mac.

 

[learnintoplay62]

Smack down time :shock: :lol:
Seriously, I am in the market for a new computer and almost pulled the trigger on the same Asus computer but with windows 8. I am currently running a 7 year old Toshiba with windows 7. I was really hoping that Microsoft 8 was the stuff but I am hearing mixed reviews. At this point I am going to have to do something because my computer crashes almost daily :x
This should be fun :wink:

 

[dapmdave]

Once you go Mac you'll never go back!

I swore I would never have anything to do with Mac's. I thought it was like being a left hander in a right handed world. My 3 kids all got them probably 10 years ago and my wife. So that left dopey me with 3 windows computers.

Boy, was I mistaken. Three years ago I bought one of those all in one Macs. Not one problem. I need the windows as it is tied into a franchise I own. I won't be doing it much longer and I only use them when I absolutely need them.

If you buy a Mac computer, you're wasting your money, that I know.

Tom C.

Did you mean to say "If you buy a Mac computer, you're wasting your money, that I know."??

Dave

 

[mad dog]

Hate it. Microsoft specializes in forcing their user base to learn and relearn OS front ends, office app tools and toolbars. If this were a steady, gradual process of improvement, building on strengths of previous worthy iterations, that would be great. But every new OS and application interface throws a number of different curves at users, with not a whole lot of coherence in purpose, not a whole lot of concern with useability.

Such a strong contrast to Apple. If you make users and usability the center of what you do, everything gets much more consistent.

MD

 

[silverfox103]

Once you go Mac you'll never go back!

I swore I would never have anything to do with Mac's. I thought it was like being a left hander in a right handed world. My 3 kids all got them probably 10 years ago and my wife. So that left dopey me with 3 windows computers.

Boy, was I mistaken. Three years ago I bought one of those all in one Macs. Not one problem. I need the windows as it is tied into a franchise I own. I won't be doing it much longer and I only use them when I absolutely need them.

If you buy a Mac computer, you're wasting your money, that I know.

Tom C.

Did you mean to say "If you buy a Mac computer, you're wasting your money, that I know."??

Dave

Thanks Dave! Corrected

Sometime I do the dumbest things, but I won't buy a Window computer anymore!

Tom

 

[dapmdave]

Smack down time :shock: :lol:
Seriously, I am in the market for a new computer and almost pulled the trigger on the same Asus computer but with windows 8. I am currently running a 7 year old Toshiba with windows 7. I was really hoping that Microsoft 8 was the stuff but I am hearing mixed reviews. At this point I am going to have to do something because my computer crashes almost daily :x
This should be fun :wink:

I'd rather have your problem. Assuming the Toshiba is OK, just back up your important files to an external device and do a clean re-installation of Windows 7.

Dave

 

[learnintoplay62]

Thanks Dave. I will consider that; however it is old and missing some parts of the keyboard. The ear phone jack doesn't work, the c.d drive occasionally works , well really only when I smack it a few times or jab it with a sharp object. Oh yeh , only one of 4 usb port works consistently but since I can never remember which one it is, it's always a crap shoot for the first go around using any external device. Its heavy, just shy of 8 pounds but that's ok , I can't go too far with it since the battery has an 8 minute shelf time. My dog likes it though. Things rattle around in it so much when I do walk with it, he's always waiting for a snack to fall out :shock:
All the above statements are true and in no way embellished. 8)

 

[samriggle]

Save yourself the aggravation and get a Mac.

Sam

 

[charliea]

Mac's don't crash except in very unusual circumstances, don't require hardware add-ons except for some cheap aftermarket RAM if so desired, and come with all the (extremely stable) software most folks would ever use. Apple supports them with free updates for years unending. When all things are considered, the price differential rapidly evaporates. Plus, I have Windows 7 on my mid-2012 I5 Mac Mini, and it runs faster than it does on the I5 PC at work. My wife's I7 IMac is an astonishingly powerful computer. Nothing slows that thing down.

 

[fronobulax]

Folks,

I deal daily with the religious wars of Mac vs. Windows - and that is what they are - Religious Wars. Unless we are talking about recording software, the debate really has no place on a Guild Guitar forum. I'll tolerate Windows 8 vs. other versions of Windows (which was what the original post was about) if we veer back in that direction but otherwise, this is your notice as to why you may find this thread locked or gone. This is an arbitrary and unilateral action by one Moderator who may be going Rogue. Deal with it. I've had a rough day already.