[MERGED] Windows 8 discussion

[peanut]

I'm not sure it's all down to people not liking change. What I'm finding more is that updates and updated versions doesn't mean it is any better.

At the moment Win7 seems to be very stable and does everything I need, maybe I'm just getting old because I just can't be bothered to go through the rigmarole of the change to Win8. If and when I get a new system I might opt for it then, but I've got no reason to change anything now.

It's the same with my iPad, it's still using 5.1.1 firmware because I'm totally happy with it and for what I need I can say any update seems pointless.

Saying that I do have Win 8 on a laptop, it's not bad, but at the same time I find it annoying at times. Probably because I just don't use the laptop enough to get used to it but it hasn't made me want to update my desktop.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by tizmeinnit

But Microsoft are not in trouble plenty of places have avoided windows 8 and chose to install 7 instead a lot of these who have been happy and not spending money on operating system because they were happy with XP. While M$ are still selling OS's then they are not in trouble. I do agree with the mobile side of things though and imo Windows 8 should be perfectly usable in the mobile market but people have stuck with what they know and guess what that does?? yes it bares out my point that people are afraid of change

Microsoft may be in more trouble than you realise.

OK, so they aren't going to go tits up anytime soon, if at all. But, unfortunately, people carrying on using old versions of windows *will* be affecting their bottom line. Microsoft don't make money if they aren't selling upgrades.

Those that are looking to upgrade *are* in a lot of causes looking at alternatives to Windows. Alternatives that often take the form of iPads or any one of a number of Android tablets. Microsoft really should not be looking to help persuade people to move off Windows.

As for people being afraid of change. I don't think they are. Look at how quickly the aforementioned DVD took off. Within a year of launch, it had effectively destroyed VHS as a distribution format for films. But, it offered users a very real advantage over VHS. Given a real advantage, people are happy to change.

I do not think the take up of DVD was that quick

My first player was 170 quid bought from Techtronics with a chip so it was proper region free. Took a long time to get into the mainstream same as big flat screen tvs took years before it became affordable for most

I do not think MS is to blame at all for the shift in mobile computing I think it is a fashionable thing and unfortunately for MS they have struggled to find their place in this fashion cost I think is a major thing those willing to pay a fortune will buy apple those who want cheap will buy droid MS tried to fit in at the top end which is a mistake imo they should have tried to slip in the middle

[Hom3r]

I went from XP to 8.1, and did struggle without the start bar.

But I adapted and overcame, I moved on I adjusted, now i don't even notice it, I just flip between the window screen & tiles as required.

[Hom3r]

What do I do with my XP netbook (Samsung NC-10) which doesn't meet the minimum requirements.

Its not used a main machine, so I don't see any really problems, I have avast running and don't plan on accessing any potentially dodgy sites so should be ok.

[Ben B]

Well looking at the specs for your netbook assuming they're the ones on this page http://www.samsung.com/ae/consumer/c...10-KA01AE-spec Windows 8.1 should work on it http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/w...m-requirements In the update which is due to be released in the next week it will make Windows 8.1 run better on machines with 1GB RAM

[Hom3r]

Yeah thats mine (I did upgrade it to 2GB RAM).

I ran the compatibility program, and it had issues.

[Dave42]

what to expect tomorrow after update

Default Behavior and Settings


Device Type

Before Windows 8.1 Update

Tablet
•Boots to Start Screen
•Closing App takes user back to Start Screen
•Pictures, Music and Video files open with Modern App

After Windows 8.1 Update
•Boots to Start Screen
•Closing App takes user to the previously used App.
•Pictures, Music and Video files open with Modern App

Before Windows 8.1 Update

Non-tablet
•Boots to Start Screen
•Closing App takes user back to Start Screen
•Pictures, Music and Video files open with Modern App

After Windows 8.1 Update
•Boots to Desktop
•Closing App takes user to the previously used App.
•After closing all Apps the user ends in the Desktop
•Pictures, Music and Video files open with Desktop applications

http://blogs.technet.com/b/askpfepla...ancements.aspx

a good read so people know what to expect after update I all ready got mine

[BenMcr]

As far as I know the default option for whether it boots to desktop or not won't change if you've already got Windows 8 installed.

[Russ]

Will this be available from the store like 8.1 or from the normal Windows Update?

[Dave42]

Originally Posted by Russ

Will this be available from the store like 8.1 or from the normal Windows Update?

normal windows update Russ mate

[Russ]

Thanks

[Pauls9]

Originally Posted by Hom3r

What do I do with my XP netbook (Samsung NC-10) which doesn't meet the minimum requirements.

Its not used a main machine, so I don't see any really problems, I have avast running and don't plan on accessing any potentially dodgy sites so should be ok.

The Win 8 compatibility checker wouldn't even run on my Dell XP machine, but I've now got Win 8.1 Media Center running fine on it.

You could try a full system backup with a boot disk (I used AOMEI backup), then install a free evaluation version (32 bit is supposed to be lighter on resources). If it fails, you've got a recovery path and you haven't spent anything. If it works, revert to XP and buy an upgrade.

Of course, the experience is likely to be different on a netbook.

EDIT: In the light of Ben B's post below, you could also try a Win 7 evaluation.

[Ben B]

Originally Posted by Hom3r

Yeah thats mine (I did upgrade it to 2GB RAM).

I ran the compatibility program, and it had issues.

I have a comparable Netbook running Windows 7 Home Premium with no problems, you should be fine. What issues did it say your computer had?

---------- Post added at 11:19 ---------- Previous post was at 11:18 ----------

With regards to the update, I checked for updates and it says there's none available, anyone know what time we're expected to be getting it?

[Pauls9]

Updates are published on the second Tuesday of the month (no idea what time), but bear in mind that it's Seattle time, so we don't get to see them till late Tuesday or Wednesday.