Windows 8
#16
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: UA, DL, AA, Sutherlands Lumber
Posts: 7,356
W8 downgradable. Sound familiar?
#17
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
Windows XP was released eleven years ago tomorrow
They stopped selling it in June of 2008
They will continue to upgrade it and support it until April of 2014
Last month, September, was the first time in ages it was not the operating system in use on the majority of windows based computers (just passed by windows 7 by one half of one percentage point)
So there's no huge rush for anybody with any current system to upgrade, however those purchasing something new may not have as many choices.
They stopped selling it in June of 2008
They will continue to upgrade it and support it until April of 2014
Last month, September, was the first time in ages it was not the operating system in use on the majority of windows based computers (just passed by windows 7 by one half of one percentage point)
So there's no huge rush for anybody with any current system to upgrade, however those purchasing something new may not have as many choices.
#18
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: most of them
Posts: 3,283
I have been skeptical too. But I am willing to give it a try. They are being smart about rolling it out at a pretty low price (for the upgrade version anyway). I have an old-ish laptop running Vista that has been nothing but pain. So it is a good test bed for Windows 8 I think. It's a Lenovo X301 with an SSD.
#19
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Florida
Programs: UA Premier Gold, TK Elite Card, AF Gold Medallion
Posts: 256
Played with Windows 8 on a VM a few weeks ago... I can't stand it.
I'm a huge champion of Zune and it's UI, but I can't deal with the similar interface being applied to my entire desktop. I opened some app and I couldn't instinctively figure out how to exit the app - I think I clicked on various things and entered some key combos. I still can't remember how I closed the app (Windows key I think?)
For a pure tablet experience, I think the OS could work... but I wouldn't consider putting it on my convertible laptop tablet that has a touchscreen.
I'm a huge champion of Zune and it's UI, but I can't deal with the similar interface being applied to my entire desktop. I opened some app and I couldn't instinctively figure out how to exit the app - I think I clicked on various things and entered some key combos. I still can't remember how I closed the app (Windows key I think?)
For a pure tablet experience, I think the OS could work... but I wouldn't consider putting it on my convertible laptop tablet that has a touchscreen.
#20
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
I have been skeptical too. But I am willing to give it a try. They are being smart about rolling it out at a pretty low price (for the upgrade version anyway). I have an old-ish laptop running Vista that has been nothing but pain. So it is a good test bed for Windows 8 I think. It's a Lenovo X301 with an SSD.
If you go to the Lenovo support site for drivers for the X301
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/rese...cID=MIGR-70496
and select windows 7 as the operating system you will find five or six dozen different drivers. Granted no machine will probably need all of them.
If you select Windows 8, they are currently listing four drivers.
They are saying, for that machine
In the interim, certain Windows 7 BIOS, drivers and software may work; however, the same functionality as under Windows 7 is not guaranteed.
Anybody who is upgrading a current machine to Windows 8 needs to be very careful that all the drivers they need for their basic things is available, or Windows 8 includes universal drivers that will work. I for one would not want to be the first person to be upgrading.
#21
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: most of them
Posts: 3,283
Well, it's a computer I am really not using anymore, so I am willing to take some risks with it. I ran the MS Windows 8 upgrade tool thing on it and the only thing that came up as a potential issue was the DVD drive. Which granted could be a pretty big issue since I'll be installing from the DVD. But we shall see.
#22
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: AA LT PLT (3.6+ MM), UA 1K LT Gold, Hilton LT Diamond, Bonvoy Gold.
Posts: 1,662
I know I'm turning into the resident Microsoft fan boy, but I can't stop myself...
Sounds like someone doesn't like change. It sounds like you are saying that Microsoft should stick with the status quo even though users defecting to Google and Android tablets and phones is clearly telling them that the status quo is broken. Those on Apple's and Google's OS, are you trying to tell me you never had any growing pains when learning their OS? I know I did on both. I believe change is good, and change is necessary for Microsoft/Windows, and now that I've embraced the change, it is easier to use Windows.
I've been using Windows 8 since the early consumer preview, and have to say, now that I've adjusted to it, its much easier to find things. I have been able to find everything I wanted by simply hitting the windows key and starting to type what I want (windows + control panel).
Sounds like someone doesn't like change. It sounds like you are saying that Microsoft should stick with the status quo even though users defecting to Google and Android tablets and phones is clearly telling them that the status quo is broken. Those on Apple's and Google's OS, are you trying to tell me you never had any growing pains when learning their OS? I know I did on both. I believe change is good, and change is necessary for Microsoft/Windows, and now that I've embraced the change, it is easier to use Windows.
I've been using Windows 8 since the early consumer preview, and have to say, now that I've adjusted to it, its much easier to find things. I have been able to find everything I wanted by simply hitting the windows key and starting to type what I want (windows + control panel).
I have also been using Windows 8 since preview 1 and I hate it. Yes there's change, but nothing I saw was change for the better, it was clunky, difficult to use and non-intuitive. Windows 7 represents the pinnacle of the Windows OS line IN MY OPINION, stable, fast, intuitive. This reminds me of the office 2007 to 2010 transition. No new features of any particular worth and a whole new IU to learn your way around. I am happy with W7 and have no plans to make the change. Likewise most corporations I have talked to also plan on skipping W8, so yes, it's Vista and Windows ME all over again.
#23
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,040
Change for no good reason is my main issue. Windows 7 works fine for a desktop/laptop and I use a tablet for completely different tasks. The windows desktop paradigm has been around for a long time and has worked well across multiple OS's in addition to Windows. Why change? IMHO the Windows 8 UI looks like it was developed by my 8 year old.
I have also been using Windows 8 since preview 1 and I hate it. Yes there's change, but nothing I saw was change for the better, it was clunky, difficult to use and non-intuitive. Windows 7 represents the pinnacle of the Windows OS line IN MY OPINION, stable, fast, intuitive. This reminds me of the office 2007 to 2010 transition. No new features of any particular worth and a whole new IU to learn your way around. I am happy with W7 and have no plans to make the change. Likewise most corporations I have talked to also plan on skipping W8, so yes, it's Vista and Windows ME all over again.
I have also been using Windows 8 since preview 1 and I hate it. Yes there's change, but nothing I saw was change for the better, it was clunky, difficult to use and non-intuitive. Windows 7 represents the pinnacle of the Windows OS line IN MY OPINION, stable, fast, intuitive. This reminds me of the office 2007 to 2010 transition. No new features of any particular worth and a whole new IU to learn your way around. I am happy with W7 and have no plans to make the change. Likewise most corporations I have talked to also plan on skipping W8, so yes, it's Vista and Windows ME all over again.
Here is an interesting article that I read today. Some non-technical folks may not be interested, but stick with it; the bottom third of the article is pretty to the point...
http://www.drdobbs.com/windows/windo...h-ev/240009572
Regards
#24
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,107
Even though I was thinking of getting a new laptop (lighter, more memory) you all have convinced me to hang in there w/ my Vista laptop for a while vs. getting a new one w/ W8. Vista at this point doesn't bother me (heck, I went from W95 to Vista!); I just wanted lighter & more memory. I don't need some a new operating system that even the techs have problems w/.
Cheers.
Cheers.
#25
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: UA, DL, AA, Sutherlands Lumber
Posts: 7,356
Reviews seem to say W8 is pretty good if you have a touch screen and a step backwards if you are using mouse and keyboard. Some describe it as two OS's which compete with each other.
It is a platform which breaks ground unifying smartphones, tablets, ultrabooks, laptops and desktops.
ATEOTD, I'm glad I got one of the last upgrades for 3 PC's to W7.
It is a platform which breaks ground unifying smartphones, tablets, ultrabooks, laptops and desktops.
ATEOTD, I'm glad I got one of the last upgrades for 3 PC's to W7.
#26
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: IAD
Programs: United MP
Posts: 7,822
Even though I was thinking of getting a new laptop (lighter, more memory) you all have convinced me to hang in there w/ my Vista laptop for a while vs. getting a new one w/ W8. Vista at this point doesn't bother me (heck, I went from W95 to Vista!); I just wanted lighter & more memory. I don't need some a new operating system that even the techs have problems w/.
Cheers.
Cheers.
#27
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,154
W8 downgradable. Sound familiar?
FWIW, Office also has downgrade rights. These days we have to buy office 2010 licenses, but I'd say the vast majority of my users are still preferring to use office 2007, largely to help prevent compatibility issues with people they work with. My guess is we'll still be having a large number of people using 2007 when 2013 rolls out.
Win 8 on a non-touchscreen device is an exercise in futility. I'd be curious to see if I'd be any happier with it if I could test it on a touch-screen computer, but I suspect I'd still be annoyed. (Among other things, I don't particularly want to constantly be having to reach up to my monitor to touch it to do things. Oh, and I get annoyed when people leave fingerprints on my monitor. On a brighter note, if I had to reach up to touch the screen all the time, that's a couple extra calories I'd have to burn to get work done.)
#28
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: UA, DL, AA, Sutherlands Lumber
Posts: 7,356
Microsoft's 'official' Windows 8 Survival Guide leaks - The Register
This is true in all cases, except where it is not.
#29
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: most of them
Posts: 3,283
I just got an Asus Ultrabook that I really like. Except for one major issue...it shuts itself off at random times. I returned the first one that did it. The second one has shutdown randomly 3x in a the week I have been using it. I really don't want to have to send it back too so I am waiting to see how things progress. But it is fast, weight less than 3 pounds, 13.3" screen, 4GB RAM, 128 GB SSD. Very travel friendly. 2 USB 3.0 ports, SD card reader...even comes with a USB-RJ45 network dongle. For $900 at the Microsoft web store. It comes with MS "Signature" service which means they clean off all the crap ware before you get it which is a big time saver. And you get 90 days of free tech support. Returning the first laptop was a painless process.
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
W8 downgradable. Sound familiar?
Windows 8 is the Windows Millennium of the new millennium. Or maybe it's just the new Windows Bob. Quick -- where's Clippy?