The Windows 8 Thread - Surface Tablet Announced

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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 :ouch:

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!
 
So even if microsoft get rid of this "Metro UI" crap for the desktop, doesn't mean I will like nor get it if they use that stupid secure boot.
 
Just had to post this vid I found on youtube, MS is trying to make windows easier but its probably only easy if you have never used Windows ever :lol: Removing the start button.... worst decision they have ever made.

 
Lain
If you're thinking I'm wrong, just stop and think about it for a second. When I initially learned of Mac OS X Lion and its new features I had the same kind of reaction. But really, when you're using an application, do you really need to see other windows? In some cases, yes, such as dragging files from one place to another. And you can still do that with Windows 8 with its Blender-esuqe screen splitting, as demonstrated in the video. But in most cases you want your active application to take up as much screen space as possible. In fact, all of the screen would be ideal. And don't need windows or some persistent taskbar to be able to enjoy seamless and fluid multitasking, as demonstrated by mobile operating systems. So why not give all of the screen to the active application?
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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).
 
terminator363
The interface looks good for a tablet and nothing else.
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Well I also wonder if they are counting on touch screen monitors taking off?
 
CMvan46
Well I also wonder if they are counting on touch screen monitors taking off?
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I prefer my monitor to be smudge free and 1080p. Not full of smudges and at some crap resolution like 1024x768.
 
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?
 
terminator363
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?
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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.
 
bergauk
I prefer my monitor to be smudge free and 1080p. Not full of smudges and at some crap resolution like 1024x768.
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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.
 
terminator363
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?
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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.
 
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.
 
Casio
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.
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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, ....)
 
Touchscreen just isn't going to work on desktops. There's a reason why light pens never really caught on; arm fatigue. Sure it's fine for tablets, maybe some notebooks. But not on my desktop.
 
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.
 
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 going to download the Windows 8 Preview to try on an old computer of mine.

It has a 2.8GHz Pentium 4, 1.5GB of Ram and Intel Extreme Graphics 2. Do you buys think it will cope with it?
 
It meets all of the requirements. It's fine. The ISO downloads are here. Download the 32-bit version and you will have to burn it to a DVD disc.
 
*ibo* S3 Racer
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, ....)
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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?
 
nick09
It meets all of the requirements. It's fine. The ISO downloads are here. Download the 32-bit version and you will have to burn it to a DVD disc.
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My only worry is the graphics card. Windows 8 requires DirectX 9 and I'm not sure if it will support it.
 
It will be supported. I've looked it up and it supports DirectX 9.
 
Cool. Thanks for your help.
 
Azuremen
Thinking light pens are intuitive for casual users, oh okay.
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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).

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.
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On a laptop/notebook. My comment, if you care to reread it, was with regard to desktops.
 
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.
 


I do really like the Metro UI interface, looks great but I am horrified the MS has decided to remove the Aero glass effect in the normal desktop. What a stupid decision, now everything looks like Windows 7 Basic! :yuck:
 
Funny how they make it look so good and easy but in real life it is far from the truth.
 
Grayfox
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
Grayfox
To shut down you still to it Gnome 3 style(Log out then shut down)
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No you don't! Windows Key to bring up the metro menu, then over to the right and click the power icon and select shutdown. I've been using it at work for the last week and I'm getting used to it.
 
Grayfox
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
So apparently Microsoft is set to make a big announcement today and its widely believed they are going to enter the tablet market with an own brand device running Windows 8 RT. Better have a retina esque screen and plenty of horsepower either wise it might not even make a mark against the iPad.....or I guess they could go the Kindle Fire route.

I was pretty peeved when it turned out Windows 8 on tablets is only related to Windows 8 on PC's by name and looks meaning they flat out lied to everyone for years and its not going to be a truly unified OS. I wanted to run legacy windows games and software on a tablet out of the box but no dice.... Metro Start screen only :yuck:

Let's hope this goes better than Zune!
 
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