The Windows 8 Thread - Surface Tablet Announced
- Thread starter Robin
- 144 comments
- 8,965 views
Robin
Premium
- 16,799
- United Kingdom
Well today MS has announced more info on Windows 8.
The good - There's only 3 versions, Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 RT
The very bad - As expected MS has totally coped out and made the tablet version (now called 'RT') of Windows 8 a totally separate thing from the desktop 8 thus voiding everything they have been bigging up about it for the past few years. Basically Windows CE again
So all this 'one operating system across all devices' bull they have been spinning all this time is a lie, you won't be able to put windows programs for example on your tablet or run legacy stuff (no x86 emulation). Basically the start screen just happens to look the same and that's it!
Plus you can't buy RT meaning you can't put it on Android tablets or play with it on other ARM homebrew stuff. MS had the opportunity to do something that no one had done before and they just didn't bother. It might as well be as interconnected as Windows XP and Windows Mobile... i.e. not!
The good - There's only 3 versions, Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 RT
The very bad - As expected MS has totally coped out and made the tablet version (now called 'RT') of Windows 8 a totally separate thing from the desktop 8 thus voiding everything they have been bigging up about it for the past few years. Basically Windows CE again
So all this 'one operating system across all devices' bull they have been spinning all this time is a lie, you won't be able to put windows programs for example on your tablet or run legacy stuff (no x86 emulation). Basically the start screen just happens to look the same and that's it!
Plus you can't buy RT meaning you can't put it on Android tablets or play with it on other ARM homebrew stuff. MS had the opportunity to do something that no one had done before and they just didn't bother. It might as well be as interconnected as Windows XP and Windows Mobile... i.e. not!
Removing the start button.... worst decision they have ever made.
- 465
- actionjeans
Yes. I use my computer primarily for work, so I'll at any given time have several text files open for random scribbles, a terminal with multiple sessions open, web browser, email client, a chat client, and maybe a pdf file - I use two monitors because of this - my issue isn't with anything you've said - lots of people aren't me - but then again, lot's of people are - having the ability to choose what I want my computer to do, what my desktop looks like, and how I interact with it should be an option. Don't force me to use something that isn't how I'd prefer to work, or how my brain works.
I use Windows 7, but only because if you play PC games you kind of have to (don't say Wine, it doesn't work for high end games because the hardware emulation layer isn't efficient enough yet) - all of my other computers are either Mac (not as customizable as I'd like, but it's fast and works well) or Linux/Debian based. I dropped Ubuntu because of the forced Unity UI which I absolutely hated (a touch screen interface on a keyboard/mouse setup just didn't work).
- 4,797
- Antarctica
The interface looks good for a tablet and nothing else.
- 4,797
- Antarctica
I agree with Bergauk. I wish things could just be simple. I mean for example, why did they get rid of the infamous "start" button, it's key to the "windows" interface. Honestly Windows 7 is fine why fix something that isn't even broken?
- 2,587
To make more money. Obviously. Or possible they want to release DX12..
They could just make even more money by lowering the price of retail copies to the price of OEM copies.
- 2,547
- Vancouver, BC
bergauk
Oh god me too I'd hate a touchscreen monitor but I have a feeling some geniuses sat and looked at smartphone and tablet sales and though let's combine that with a desktop!
How about no!? Tablets and smartphones have their place and desktops have theirs. Let's not start combining them now.
- 7,956
- BradleyH131
I'm sure similar things were said from when Windows went from Win 3.1 to Windows 95.
Everything has to change at some point.
- 17,865
- 509
You guys, the ones freaking out about touch screens, are forgetting that mass consumer market really doesn't care. Touching a screen is far more intuitive than a mouse, and for many, more accurate as well.
Those of you claiming change is bad, why fix what isn't broken need to realize the fundamentals of current generation operating systems were developed in the 80's. Things really haven't changed that much, minus increased thought with design and features. And not just adding those, but doing so intuitively. People like large, icon driven interfaces because it is much easier for the brain recognize large colors and shapes compared to reading small text all the time. Which is why the iPhone made smart phones far more common place = they were far, far more intuitive than most smart phones at the time. You basically had to be a geek to make a smart phone really work back then. Change = Good.
Those of you claiming change is bad, why fix what isn't broken need to realize the fundamentals of current generation operating systems were developed in the 80's. Things really haven't changed that much, minus increased thought with design and features. And not just adding those, but doing so intuitively. People like large, icon driven interfaces because it is much easier for the brain recognize large colors and shapes compared to reading small text all the time. Which is why the iPhone made smart phones far more common place = they were far, far more intuitive than most smart phones at the time. You basically had to be a geek to make a smart phone really work back then. Change = Good.
Ibonibo
Premium
- 5,440
- Luxemburg
- Already paying my Isp 4 Access
Or like from Win Xp to Vista??
This is exactly the same. Every single one I talk to is in one way or an other put off Win8. Win7 is finally a OS that works, and nearly just one year after they want to sell you now a cut back, simplifed version of an OS.
MS is losing massively on their phones that nobody wants, now the OS, well we going to see how long Ballmer can hold his place up there. Alot of people would be happy to see him go. First of all, mainly his investors.
On the touchscreen, it's not easier. I have a 23" screen and it's a pain to use it longer than 3 minutes as you have to pull out your arm in an uncomfortable way. It's just not as laied back as a mouse. And I don't think many people cut a hole in their table to fit in a screen
Sure MS will sell some Win8 with new Pc as they have always done, but remember Vista. Most PC resold with XP because nobody wanted Vista.
And the argument of change beeing inevitable, true, but history showed us that crap doesn't stick around (not my best analogy
). If you want to change something it needs to be good.I stick with Win7. Thanks. And Win8 will join the other failed 2000 products (Zune, Vista, ....)
- 17,865
- 509
Thinking light pens are intuitive for casual users, oh okay.
Both of you missed the point about the average consumer. Which generally uses a computer long enough to check email and look at some youtube pictures. Maybe Google something.
But more so, the point of the OS is to offer a unified experience from Tablets to Desktops, though mouse support will still be supported. Having a unified experience across all devices will have appeal.
Both of you missed the point about the average consumer. Which generally uses a computer long enough to check email and look at some youtube pictures. Maybe Google something.
But more so, the point of the OS is to offer a unified experience from Tablets to Desktops, though mouse support will still be supported. Having a unified experience across all devices will have appeal.
nick09
(Banned)
- 6,169
- NY
- nlck09
Well I tried the Metro yesterday and I'm just feeling like it's not properly put together. Sure the music app is cool but the thing uses the entire screen room. It's kinda of a hassle to press the windows key, go click the desktop from Metro if I want to type on a document or use the regular web browser. If I wanted to stop the music from the music app I have to go back to Metro with the windows key, click the big icon, and I'm sitting there trying to figure how I will be able to pause the music. I click the back button in the app and then the player controls come back up. I find that horribly unintuitive. A regular consumer is not going to take his/her time trying to find hidden menus when they don't even know they existed in the first place! Sure Metro would be great for a smaller device but for a person who uses a regular desktop everyday and does not own a advanced touchscreen device he/she won't even understand it. I've seen people in their 50's/60's who don't understand Android devices(client who owns his own landscaping company for example).
I'm currently running Windows 8 in a Virtual Machine for the time being to try it out and so far I'm not impressed. I'll try it out some more on another time to see if it can set in.
I'm currently running Windows 8 in a Virtual Machine for the time being to try it out and so far I'm not impressed. I'll try it out some more on another time to see if it can set in.
- 7,956
- BradleyH131
Or like from Win Xp to Vista??
This is exactly the same. Every single one I talk to is in one way or an other put off Win8. Win7 is finally a OS that works, and nearly just one year after they want to sell you now a cut back, simplifed version of an OS.
MS is losing massively on their phones that nobody wants, now the OS, well we going to see how long Ballmer can hold his place up there. Alot of people would be happy to see him go. First of all, mainly his investors.
On the touchscreen, it's not easier. I have a 23" screen and it's a pain to use it longer than 3 minutes as you have to pull out your arm in an uncomfortable way. It's just not as laied back as a mouse. And I don't think many people cut a hole in their table to fit in a screen
Sure MS will sell some Win8 with new Pc as they have always done, but remember Vista. Most PC resold with XP because nobody wanted Vista.
And the argument of change beeing inevitable, true, but history showed us that crap doesn't stick around (not my best analogy
I stick with Win7. Thanks. And Win8 will join the other failed 2000 products (Zune, Vista, ....)
XP to Vista is obviously different than the change from 3.1 to 95. If you're claiming people were turned off Vista because they didn't like the interface, then no one would use Windows 7 either, as they're fundamentally exactly the same.
Everything someone changes the interface people freak out. It's only natural. People did the same thing when Office 2007 came out. "Aghhh it's all different...argghhh what do I do....arghhhh blow up Microsoft". Did the MS Office Marketshare drop when Office 2007 came out? Not that I'm aware (They still had 95% Marketshare when 2010 was released). 5 years later everyone is now using 2007/2010 without a thought in the World.
I'd be interested to hear what you mean exactly by a 'simplifed version' of an OS. In what way is it simplified? Usablity? Features?
BobK
Premium
- 7,020
- Massachusetts, USA
Who said light pens are intuitive for casual users? I pointed out that light pens and touchscreens share a common defect, and the defect is one of the reasons why light pens never reached widespread use. This has nothing whatsoever to do with how intuitive its use may be (but note that a lot of users, myself included, often use a stylus with their tablet. That's a device that's very much like a light pen, except for the wire; light pens were introduced somewhat before bluetooth was).
On a laptop/notebook. My comment, if you care to reread it, was with regard to desktops.
- 12,026
- Australia
- I_Grayson_Fox_I
Release Preview
Now out.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso
Last lot of changes done before they release it.
Things I want changed or the option to change.
Ribbon GUI, I hate this thing, it is geared toward the computer illiterate.(I hope their is an option to change this back to the menu toolbar(but i doubt it).
Metro UI from what I read they were dropping this for desktops and making desktops more normal
Secure boot, This will make my job diagnosing issue hard since it will most likely prevent me loading linux on OEM machines.
Gnome 3 styled shutdown(you need to log out before you shut down)
Have same PC name as User Profile Name.
Now out.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso
Last lot of changes done before they release it.
Things I want changed or the option to change.
Ribbon GUI, I hate this thing, it is geared toward the computer illiterate.(I hope their is an option to change this back to the menu toolbar(but i doubt it).
Metro UI from what I read they were dropping this for desktops and making desktops more normal
Secure boot, This will make my job diagnosing issue hard since it will most likely prevent me loading linux on OEM machines.
Gnome 3 styled shutdown(you need to log out before you shut down)
Have same PC name as User Profile Name.
- 12,026
- Australia
- I_Grayson_Fox_I
You can now have the same PC Name and user name.
No start(no option to enable)
Ribbon UI(still their enabling always show menus doesn't do diddly squat)
To shut down you still to it Gnome 3 style(Log out then shut down)
Running on VMware so unable to test secure boot
Metro still their, this will make it a very bad thing for gamers
Aero is on this version but it is very square and makes it look like it is from the 70's where squares was best design.
Buttons look very flat and 2D, Yeah Microsoft way to use new iGPUs, make things look 2D.
Runs aero on a WinSAT score of 2.0
Runs smooth on 2GB RAM, 1 core 2.7Ghz CPU (5.6 winsat score and 6.8 if I add an extra core) and 20GB SSD.
- 2,073
- Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- mrvajj
- 2,587
Metro doesn't affect gaming performance. I have the Consumer preview on my laptop[I'll be installing the Release Preview once I back up all my games] and it doesn't affect anything whatsoever. There's an icon on the desktop for the game, and there's an app icon in Metro, doesn't matter which one I click, it still takes me to the game just the same.
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