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Thanks. I'm going to have to swing by Best Buy to see what it's all about. This laptop will be for my 13 year old, so I want it to see him through high school. He's a product of his generation- nothing fazes him technologically- so I'm sure he would be fine with it. I'm just a little wary that- after the Vista debacle- Windows 7 has filled the role that XP used to with regards to stability, and that 8 is the new Vista...
As long as you aren't using Windows RT, you can download and install software just like you're used to. I've only had to use Windows 7 compatibility mode for one app, and that's not one a general user is going to install.
I took our Windows 8 Surface home for the weekend a few weeks ago, and while I enjoyed it, it cemented my opinion that for me, I wouldn't spend $500+ on a Windows RT tablet (or iOS, FWIW.) I get frustrated by the things I can't do. That being said, I really do like the Surface, and if I WAS going to spend the money for a tablet, it would be right near the top of my list. As far as Windows 8 and what it will run on, I run it on my old 2006 laptop with an old AMD processor and 2GB RAM. It's a bit slow, but faster than XP was on the same machine. I have have Linux on the same machine, and it runs a bit faster, but not much. Was pretty impressed it's performance even on older hardware.
If you do everything in desktop mode then most or all of your programs will work and the learning curve will be small - just like Win7.The learning curve comes if you are using the new interface - usually on a tablet.
Good to know... can XP software be used on W8?
Obviously I can't guarantee everything you have will work, but in general it all works. In the desktop mode though, not in this mode.There's a version of Win8 called Windows RT you may see which runs on some new tablets and laptops. Nothing will work on that, but if you are getting another desktop it isn't an issue.
Got it... thanks!
I run a fair amount of XP software, occasionally I have to run the compatibility wizard and tell Windows 8 to run it as XP. I had to do that for a few programs in Windows 7 as well though. I think the main thing I'm running into (which I doubt you'll see with a new machine) is that some of my hardware components are old enough that drivers aren't being released that are Windows 8 compatible. But once they are installed, they work just fine.Btw, seeing a really nice deal on a Vizio Windows 8 Thin and Light laptop at the Microsoft Store, of all places. Might pull the trigger on this one, been looking for portability and willing to give up a little in the specs department to keep it under $1K.15.6" 1920x1080 screen, i7 (dual core, not quad), 4GB ram and a 256SSD. No optical drive, but my wife has an external floating around. Not crazy about the keyboard, but it's similar to my current laptop, so I can live with it. Priced at $799. - http://bit.ly/Wh43a3'Keerock said:
Agreed. I like that. I have the Win8 software to install on my wife's laptop, but still haven't done it. Will I basically need to reinstall every program that I currently have on the laptop if I'm coming from Vista?
Update: Old desktop issue was a bad video card. Removed and plugged monitor into on-board analog fixed the problem. I don't imagine it will be long before something else goes wrong, but until then, sticking with it.
It's true though. The hardware OEMs, fearing little uptake from enterprises, have pretty much all taken a cautious approach. When everybody is in a wait-and-see mode, then you get a lackluster launch. They haven't been going all-in like other Windows launches.That's MSFTs fault anyway though because it comes from the OEMs seeing this radical approach and people being very happy with Windows 7.
Got two guys with several decades of IT/Microsoft experience between them saying it runs great and that the whole brouhaha over the touch stuff is ridiculously overblown. Also we have shown the tablet to our first corporate customer and they have placed their order. So this idea of a lack of corporate uptake seems like it may be overblown to me as well. Once they see it and understand it, which takes about 15 minutes, they like it. So far. We have a meeting with a bunch of lawyers next we'll see what they think.'Mr. Pickles said:
Yup.'Ignoratio Elenchi said:Too early to call this thing a huge failure?
I think you are seriously mistaken. Companies don't like BYOD(Bring Your Own Device) but they know the pad is where the action is. They do like Microsoft. Well like is probably too much let's say they are used to it. And they would like to have one operating system to support. One they know. We are getting lots of interest from several corporate customers.
One of my blog feeds from an IT guy who works in Ireland. He's a Microsoft MVP, but he deals with enterprise stuff. He was constantly noting how Windows 8 devices were basically non-existent in stores. Kind of hard to sell things if they aren't made available.'Slapdash said:
This. The problem is that they decided there should just be one OS for each set of users. If they had just released 8 as a purely touchscreen OS there wouldn't really be any complaints. In fact, 8 probably would be a smashing success because it blows Apple and Android out of the water on tablets.
Yeah we ordered our tablets before Christmas. We didn't get them until last week. Supply is definitely lagging demand.One of my blog feeds from an IT guy who works in Ireland. He's a Microsoft MVP, but he deals with enterprise stuff. He was constantly noting how Windows 8 devices were basically non-existent in stores. Kind of hard to sell things if they aren't made available.'Slapdash said:
It's mostly about knowing that the tools we use to manage devices now will work.
How are any stores selling desktops and laptops without Windows 8?One of my blog feeds from an IT guy who works in Ireland. He's a Microsoft MVP, but he deals with enterprise stuff. He was constantly noting how Windows 8 devices were basically non-existent in stores. Kind of hard to sell things if they aren't made available.'Slapdash said:
True
The early scuttlebutt when 8 was announced was that it would be tablet only and you'd continue to use Windows 7 on the desktop. I think that is going to end up happening anyway. I've already told my director that's the path we should take. Keep Windows 7 on workstations/laptops but allow Windows 8 touch screen devices.
Yeah. That seems like way too much of a no-brainer for MSFT to have done it.
Sorry, they aren't selling Windows 8 touch devices. They are selling Windows 8 on laptops and desktops though. That was his main complaint. Everyone wants to buy tablets now and there's no Windows 8 tablets in the major stores he's seeing in the UK and Germany. Windows 8 touch devices are basically non existent in the channel.His other gripe was the selling experience. He compared it to Apple Stores where the product is laid out logically. Macbooks are in one place, iPads are in another. When you go into a store selling Windows devices, it's a hot mess. Windows 7 mixed with Windows 8. Ultrabooks mixed with tablets.How are any stores selling desktops and laptops without Windows 8?One of my blog feeds from an IT guy who works in Ireland. He's a Microsoft MVP, but he deals with enterprise stuff. He was constantly noting how Windows 8 devices were basically non-existent in stores. Kind of hard to sell things if they aren't made available.'Slapdash said:
I needed to get a cheapass laptop and ordered a Dell. Had to take Windows 8. Haven't spent a whole lot of time with it so right now I've been going to desktop mode because the W8 stuff annoys the piss out of me. I've got to spend more time with it obviously. Does it bother you when you want to surf that you default to Bing and then get blitzed with what is trending? Topics that my kids don't need to be reading about.I'm compooter stupit so maybe I can switch it to Google. I just want my plain old Google search engine to come up. Bing tries to bombard me with idiotic stories that they think I should be interested in.
i get the idyllic goal of "one OS to run them all". but why mash up two very different business models? Corporate and heavy home office users want stability, power, flexibility, security, and networking. The tablet and media consumer wants simplicity, communication tools, apps, and did i mention simplicity?Without knowing much about supply lines, upgrade schedules, and future OS plans, it just doesnt make any sense to me why MS is trying to force two biz models into the same product. All while destroying years of hard work on their core strength...MS = What you use in non-artsy office settings
Yeah, I added Google to the search menu. Further, I downloaded Firefox for my web browser, as a matter of preference (using it from the desktop and not UI once it is launched/opoened). The live tiles are interesting and may stream headlines that you don't want the kiddos to see. However, you can change the tiles around... or remove certain ones all together. The world news tile might be one you want to remove (and you can do that for just their log in and not yours, I do believe). No denying though, W8 takes some time to adjust to. I'm still learning some of the shortcuts and things.
Hit the windows key and start typing the app name. Don't look for a box
Yeah, the search is built in, but non-obvious. WIN-X and WIN-E are my two most used shortcuts.Always quit typing when it took me back to the tiles.
I have seen plenty of advertisement for OEM touch devices on TV, haven't really looked around in stores for them. I did see a Microsoft Store (kiosk) at the mall this weekend. Seems to me like if there is a shortage of Windows 8 tablets that falls on Microsoft's shoulders. You can't announce the Surface and advertise it clicking like crazy and not have them in the stores. It doesn't surprise me at all that OEMs didn't rush to put out touch tablets since they are probably concerned both about cannibalizing existing lines and supporting a new competitor in manufacturing. I also don't get the complaint that each retailer isn't creating an Apple experience for them. They need to do it themselves if that is what they want.As an aside, I don’t see how Ballmer survives this blunder. They have (finally) created a really great product yet they have mismanaged every aspect of it.Sorry, they aren't selling Windows 8 touch devices. They are selling Windows 8 on laptops and desktops though. That was his main complaint. Everyone wants to buy tablets now and there's no Windows 8 tablets in the major stores he's seeing in the UK and Germany. Windows 8 touch devices are basically non existent in the channel.His other gripe was the selling experience. He compared it to Apple Stores where the product is laid out logically. Macbooks are in one place, iPads are in another. When you go into a store selling Windows devices, it's a hot mess. Windows 7 mixed with Windows 8. Ultrabooks mixed with tablets.How are any stores selling desktops and laptops without Windows 8?One of my blog feeds from an IT guy who works in Ireland. He's a Microsoft MVP, but he deals with enterprise stuff. He was constantly noting how Windows 8 devices were basically non-existent in stores. Kind of hard to sell things if they aren't made available.'Slapdash said:
The first complaint (lack of supply) was directed at the OEMs.The second complaint (lack of good experience) was directed at Microsoft.I have seen plenty of advertisement for OEM touch devices on TV, haven't really looked around in stores for them. I did see a Microsoft Store (kiosk) at the mall this weekend. Seems to me like if there is a shortage of Windows 8 tablets that falls on Microsoft's shoulders. You can't announce the Surface and advertise it clicking like crazy and not have them in the stores. It doesn't surprise me at all that OEMs didn't rush to put out touch tablets since they are probably concerned both about cannibalizing existing lines and supporting a new competitor in manufacturing. I also don't get the complaint that each retailer isn't creating an Apple experience for them. They need to do it themselves if that is what they want.As an aside, I don’t see how Ballmer survives this blunder. They have (finally) created a really great product yet they have mismanaged every aspect of it.Sorry, they aren't selling Windows 8 touch devices. They are selling Windows 8 on laptops and desktops though. That was his main complaint. Everyone wants to buy tablets now and there's no Windows 8 tablets in the major stores he's seeing in the UK and Germany. Windows 8 touch devices are basically non existent in the channel.His other gripe was the selling experience. He compared it to Apple Stores where the product is laid out logically. Macbooks are in one place, iPads are in another. When you go into a store selling Windows devices, it's a hot mess. Windows 7 mixed with Windows 8. Ultrabooks mixed with tablets.How are any stores selling desktops and laptops without Windows 8?One of my blog feeds from an IT guy who works in Ireland. He's a Microsoft MVP, but he deals with enterprise stuff. He was constantly noting how Windows 8 devices were basically non-existent in stores. Kind of hard to sell things if they aren't made available.'Slapdash said:
WIN-D (to go to desktop) and WIN to go to searchYeah, the search is built in, but non-obvious. WIN-X and WIN-E are my two most used shortcuts.
This is my experience as well. Replaced my wife's kitchen PC with a new desktop with Win8 back in November. Been rock solid. I've been in a Windows admin role in one way or another since 1994. I wouldn't put it on enterprise desktops because the learning curve for users would hit the help desk, but all of my home apps run solid and perform well on it. If/when it ever hits enterprise computing depends on how long it takes people to get used to it on their personal devices.
you want to open multiple file explorers but cant? If so WIN-X and then select File Explorer. Rinse and repeat.
