Opinions on Windows 8

Hello!

Have any of you used Windows 8? I recently bought a new laptop, so I'd love some thoughts. I've seen so many mixed reviews online and I'm confused.

Is it worth purchasing a cheap upgrade? (It's Rs.700; ~13US$, so I'm highly tempted.).

If any of use it; tell me what you love/hate about it? I've heard it's got some crazy navigation required to shutdown.

Anyway, thanks guys.

[No, don't tell me get a MAC, because some of my uni programs won't work on a mac. ]

I would avoid Windows 8 for a while. Despite it being a cheap upgrade there are a number of disadvantages that come with the new version. The first being a lack of compatibility with some programs, mainly games. If you're not a gamer than it won't be that big of an issue, although it's better to be safe than sorry. Another big thing is that depending on how much your college classes rely on programs it may be awkward to have. My reasoning behind this is that you may find minor changes between where programs store things/where to find things. I don't have first hand experience but these are general guidelines as far as upgrading to a new platform is concerned.

I've used Windows 8. It works fine for me.

It'll work, but there's no real point in getting it, and even if I had all the money in the world I wouldn't choose it. The simplest way to explain it is that it tries to give your computer a smartphone interface. The desktop becomes its own "app" that you have to open, rather than just being there by default. Then there's all sorts of other fun stuff that happens on account of this whole "smartphone aesthetic". Unless you're planning on controlling it with a touchscreen, I wouldn't advise it at all. I've heard that using it on a tablet still isn't that great.

This should give you a more in-depth idea: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0fsyb-ttcw

It's like Windows Vista in the notion that it's rather buggy and non-user friendly, especially because Windows is trying to force everyone onto the tablet market (own opinion). I'd recommend waiting for a would be Windows 9.

I didn't buy a computer to receive errors and failures, only because the programs and other stuff I use aren't compatible with the "almighty" windows 8. I'll stick to Win.XP, until death do us part.

I used Windows 8 for a little bit while it was in beta, and I kinda liked it. It takes some getting used to, but I really liked the start screen and the general aesthetic of it. You can still use the desktop on it, with the only difference being the missing start button.

But, it's only something I'd use regularly if I had a tablet. With a touchscreen, it's fantastic; particularly if you want to treat your tablet as a desktop computer on-the-go.

For a desktop or even a laptop, on the other hand, it's frequently frustrating, and in the oddest ways too. For example, internet browsers have two different varieties on Windows 8: the metro version and the regular version. That's confusing, and even worse, they don't always share information with one another.

Bottom line: Windows 8 for tablets, Windows 7 for everything else.

I haven't used Windows 8, but I dislike what I've seen, and I'm far too comfortable and satisfied with Windows 7 to even bother trying 8 out.

I got a new laptop which I am using right now, and it already had Windows 8 on it. I had mixed feelings at first, especially since the new Start Page takes some getting used to. Once I got the hang of it I guess I appreciate some of the new features it brings. Of course, like any other new laptop you have to download Office and some plug-ins and internet security. Downloading Office was a breeze, and if you need Java use version 6, yes, the oldest version of Java, because apparently that's the only version that works. Also, I don't know if it's my PC's issues or if it's Window's, but 8/10 times if I leave my laptop on and leave it alone for a while it will turn itself off. It is frustrating, but at least it saves all my tabs and all.

So I say if you are open-minded and can take the time to get used to the new features, you might actually like the new Windows. If not, don't get it.

I've got Windows 8 on my PC and I am a gamer *shudder*. I however have not noticed any compatibility issues with games yet (though that may be due to me using STEAM for most of my game library).

It takes some getting used to but you can pretty much spend most of your time using the desktop and not have to venture over to not-metro much of the time.

I find the fact that it shuts itself off (or rather goes into sleep mode) to be a huge boon as it really cuts down on your power usage. This has been a feature of windows since at least XP, and Macs do much the same.

If you must go Windows 8, I'd suggest you explore it for a few days to figure out what you will end up using and what you can safely ignore. Mooch off a friend if you must try before you buy.

As I said, if you stick to the desktop side of things and not the Metro side of things, and particularly if you use a third party browser that you *only* install on desktop, you won't run into many of the confusing issues Nate has mentioned.

Desktop operating systems should not try to look more like cellphone or tablet operating systems. End of.

I reverted to Windows 7 because I got annoyed at 8 dying on me at one point when I installed video drivers (it didn't happen when I did that before), but I liked it. I didn't mind that it looked slightly like a smartphone. Although, Red faction: Guerilla was really glitchy with the RP. But I enjoyed the new features.