Who will update to Win8?

[Goonfella]

With MS`s new OS now released I was wondering how many people intend to upgrade. Also would there be any benefits to PDN by upgrading as it is basically a Windows program ?

Personally I have been thinking about buying a newer laptop for some months now but so far have not found one I want. Also I want to wait and see how Win8 turns out . The one I have is 4 yrs old now and there are features like GPU Graphics Hardware Acceleration which I cannot use. I know there are plugins made for PDN which make use of this. Also Blender`s new Cycles rendering engine benefits greatly from it and even Firefox and IE make use of this feature. But my graphics card is too old to use it now.

So I think it`s time for an upgrade to a newer laptop with a better graphics card. Of course I have my Win7 laptop all set up the way I like and am very comforable with it. One other thing I am not sure about is whether you will be able to use 3rd party themes in Win8. I have one called Elune which I am using at the moment which adds some nice subtle touches to 7 which make it look even nicer. I would like to be able to use it on the desktop in Win8 as well.

So what are your thoughts on the subject?

[Ego Eram Reputo]

No plans to upgrade my desktop PC from Win7. I use another desktop with XP (testing purposes) and an ancient laptop also with XP. I doubt either will even load Win8

[pyrochild]

I've been using Windows 8 for months.

The only Metro apps I use are Music and Weather. Otherwise, I use it exactly as I did Windows 7.

I have had a couple driver issues. One is switchable graphics. I have to use a 3rd party driver for graphics, since neither Intel nor AMD releases the combined drivers, and HP hasn't released one for my setup yet.

My Arduino also needs a 3rd party driver.

The only real consequence of using these drivers is that you have to disable driver signing enforcement, so my desktop has "Test Mode" plastered in the corner where you'd see "Safe Mode" or "Evaluation Copy" in those respective modes. There are tools to remove this but they don't seem to last across reboots or wallpaper rotations.

I don't miss the Start menu at all. The Start screen works exactly the same way I used the menu (type to search) and is actually better because it's PURPLE.

PURPLE PURPLE PURPLE.

[Kemaru]

I want to, but I don't have the money. :---( A hybrid ultrabook would be great.

[nitenurse79]

I upgraded to Win8 last month and so far have had no issues with it, The metro apps I use are the same as pyrochild, music and weather. I like the start screen too instead of the start orb. And after a few days I got used to the Metro style skinning to all my software, it also starts up far quicker than Win7 that I upgraded from.

[yellowman]

I want to upgrade, but I am confused, there are two versions, Windows 8 Professional Upgrade & Windows 8 Pro Pack Upgrade, and both are on sale $ 69.99, the latter one is to upgrade from W8, so how many W8 versions are there ?

Also, I checked the programs compatibility of my PC using Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant, and some are not compatible with W8.

[AGJM]

With MS`s new OS now released I was wondering how many people intend to upgrade. Also would there be any benefits to PDN by upgrading as it is basically a Windows program ?

Personally I have been thinking about buying a newer laptop for some months now but so far have not found one I want.

So what are your thoughts on the subject?

You want this:

http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Laptops/HP-ENVY/C4X08AV?HP-ENVY-TouchSmart-Ultrabook-4t-1100

You definitely want that thing. Watch the price, though - it shoots up once you actually add the basics to it in that "Customize & Buy" thing.

I, myself, will upgrade if I still have money after buying a car.

[HyReZ]

I was able to get a copy for $39 on the October 26th release date, but have not installed it yet. I do tech support in addition to graphic design and I need to be able to help others.

I own a copy of every version of MS Windows since Windows 386 for DOS. I guess that I am a collector of operating systems including several flavors of Linux.

[Zagna]

Dreamspark Premium

Got Windows 8 Pro already running on my Intel Atom N270 netbook and as soon as I get some time, I'll install it on my desktop too

Gotta do it before the free Media Center upgrade expires

[Goonfella]

You want this:

http://www.shopping....trabook-4t-1100

Thanks for info AGJM, but it`s not really what I`m after. That one uses integrated graphics which might be fine for PDN and such but when it comes to 3D rendering I definitely will need dedicated graphics. Actually I was quite surprised at the number of people who are already using it and liking it. Just goes to show that the best person to judge an OS is yourself.

[nitenurse79]

January 31st In the UK I believe.

One thing missing in Win8 is DVD maker, something I liked in Win7, ideal for migrating movie maker vids to make a compilation of family footage, the only option now is to buy some DVD authoring software, just a good job Win8 is not really expensive (for now)

[Goonfella]

I think that`s why it`s not so expensive. They have stripped out Media Centre, Movie Maker etc. This makes is easier on older software and faster on new. There are plenty freebie alternatives around or I`m sure you can still just go to the MS website and download them if you want. They probably figure on these programs ending up as Apps in the Windows Store in the future.

That`s another thing. I know it`s far too soon to expect there to be the same amount of apps as with Android or Apple, but what are your thoughts on the Windows Store?

[Sozo]

I used the preview for a good while. One thing I appreciated was the speed. It booted and ran noticeably faster than my Vista or 7 OS's on the same system. Perhaps there were advances in how it handles SSD's. On the other hand, I ran into driver problems similar to David's. My near ancient Radeon 4850 has apparently been written off by AMD, meaning it gets no Win8 drivers at all aside from what came with the OS. No OpenGL support (so no Minecraft), constant crashing while gaming, and my other issue with it eventually drove me back to Win7.

That other issue is that start menu. To me, it seems exceptionally ignorant to remove one of the best upgrades to come out of Vista and 7. Granted, I'm something of a power user. For one thing, I am working on a XP -> 7 rollout at work, and I'm used to using the start menu to delve into the innards of my computer systems. Win8 neuters the ease with which I use my OS. To top it all off, it seems like a sucky search system as well. It proved incapable of finding shortcuts I had sitting on my desktop, or programs I had installed.

All in all, it seems like 2 steps forward, and one step back. I'd use in on a tablet, but not my desktop.

[Goonfella]

I have a Mobility Radeon 4670 graphics card in this Dell XPS16 so I would imagine I would run into the same driver issues as you. Not that it bothers me because I don`t intend to upgrade this laptop to Win8 anyway. I would rather buy one with the system ready installed.

As for the start menu , I know there are programs out there that put the desktop start menu back so it works like before. I would probably try out Win8 `s new start menu first before using it though just to see how I get on. I really think it`s down to personal preferences , as Pyro and Nitenurse prove.So all these articles slagging it off are being a bit unfair.

One of the reasons I would like to get Win8 is the new Reset and Refresh feature. I think that`s a great idea. Sounds much easier than having to re-install the OS , then all the drivers , then all your programs and files etc like with the present system. So far I have not needed to do anything so drastic but doing that would scare the hell out of me in case I screwed up so Win8`s new feature is a really welcome improvement.

[HELEN]

What's the difference between Windows 7 and Windows 8? I mean like the biggest difference? Apparently, I haven't updated and not planning either (as of right now).

[Goonfella]

The biggest difference ? The user interface. Plus a lot more besides. Too much to tell you here really Helen. Your best bet is to go onto YouTube and search for Win8 vids and you will find everything you need. Or just plain old Google it! Only don`t believe all you see or read about the lack of the start menu . Go to a shop, try a new PC on display with Win8 and make your own mind up. I have tried a few and rather like the new system.

I nearly bought a new Win8 laptop today. An Acer Timeline with touchscreen. Ticked all the boxes, i7, 4Mb RAM, dedicated graphics etc. Just one major thing spoiling it all - the monitor. They had obviously spent the budget for this PC on the specs with the monitor left until last because it was not even full HD and the colours seemed all washed out . There were others next to it with full 1920x1080 HD screens and the difference was startling. The graphics on those were crisp , clean and pin sharp whereas the Acer was like my old Dell Inspiron . Not very impressive and a big disappointment , especially as it has an Nvidia GT640M graphics card and the others were just using integrated graphics.

But having tried the touchsceen with Win8 I am more than convinced that this is the way to go. You might still be able to use mouse & keyboard but touch takes things to a new level. It is so much easier to use. I guess I will just have to wait for something else. There is bound to be a better choice of touchscreen laptops available in the near future so I`ll hang on for a bit.

There was also one of the new Samsung Series 7 Gamer laptops there for £1300 . No touchscreen though. Probably more than I need anyway.

Edited November 28, 2012 by Goonfella

[Zagna]

My near ancient Radeon 4850 has apparently been written off by AMD, meaning it gets no Win8 drivers at all aside from what came with the OS. No OpenGL support (so no Minecraft), constant crashing while gaming, and my other issue with it eventually drove me back to Win7.

AMD Catalyst 12.6 Legacy Driver for Windows 8?

[Sozo]

AMD Catalyst 12.6 Legacy Driver for Windows 8?

That's essentially the driver that Windows 8 includes, note the lack of OpenGL, or WDDM 1.2. I was eventually able to hack something together with bits and pieces of driver releases from AMD, but while it let me play Minecraft, it didn't help the crashing situation any. Eventually it wasn't worth my while.

[Visual]

No plans to upgrade my desktop PC from Win7. I use another desktop with XP (testing purposes) and an ancient laptop also with XP. I doubt either will even load Win8

I'm set up in the same way ER. All on 3 separate drives, and a flavor of linux.

Thanks for info AGJM, but it`s not really what I`m after. That one uses integrated graphics which might be fine for PDN and such but when it comes to 3D rendering I definitely will need dedicated graphics. Actually I was quite surprised at the number of people who are already using it and liking it. Just goes to show that the best person to judge an OS is yourself.

You need a separate card with ram on it for graphics rendering, at least the good stuff. I will also upgrade my tower with a 2 or 3 gig card as prices fall at christmas. They seem to drop every day now.

January 31st In the UK I believe.

One thing missing in Win8 is DVD maker, something I liked in Win7, ideal for migrating movie maker vids to make a compilation of family footage, the only option now is to buy some DVD authoring software, just a good job Win8 is not really expensive (for now)

Use IMGburn as your default burning program. Freeware. Never burned a coaster.

For my taste, I'm sticking with windows 7 until I see something that can pull me away from it. I just love it.

Edited December 1, 2012 by Visual

[skullbonz]

My son just bought a laptop with windows 8 on it and I did the start up and updating for him. The new Metro is a nightmare in my opinion. I also had to google how to do things like find the control panel,program files or turn the damn thing off,lol. And just as everything else has gone by way of capitalism in our world,windows 8 is now app heaven to some and can become quite costly. To me windows 8 is like having a giant cell phone,something I have never owned,nor will. It is a whole new way of using a computer that will take some getting used to and as history with past MS OS's have proved ,we all will have to someday. I am not looking forward to that day. 

 

When windows 7 came out I never thought I would like it but now I can say that I do,not as much as I liked XP,but I do like it. I suppose that someday I will be saying this about 8 also,lol.  

[Rubrica]

The thing is, things like finding the control panel are things that you look up once, and learn for life - and, as more operating systems go the way of the touchscreen, these things will become more natural and intuitive to new users. As for the Metro - I have found it entirely possible to get by without using a single Metro app since I first upgraded, so, even though I agree they are a bit cumbersome, they haven't caused me any problems thus far. Finally, the App Store is only a danger through a lack of self-restraint; like all other Metro apps (we're not supposed to call them that any more, are we?) it can be ignored.

[barbieq25]

I loved XP & have now got the hang of Win 7. No plans to upgrade at the moment. Not much positive feedback on here about it which makes me feel even more disinclined to upgrade. 

 

Then there could be driver issues. I do not want to have to mess about getting this & that. All day I spend helping people to use a pc & fix archaic computers that Noah should have thrown out, teaching others which is a brain drain (but I do love my job!) so when I come home to mine, I just want to play.

[RFX]

I XP and that's all I ever want to use. I have a computer with Windows 7 and it's not that bad. It can run just about any x32/x86 based application in XP SP3 compatibility mode along with x64 programs. I've tried Windows 8 which had Windows 7 as an additional OS I could use. After the first 3 minutes of seeing Windows 8, I didn't like it at all. Everything was accessible by huge 1-2 inch thumbnail tiles like it was a giant mobile phone with apps. Everything was rather hard to find as well.

The reason why I XP is the same reason I Paint.net... because it's powerful and it's relatively small in size and uses far less resources than newer versions of Windows. Sure XP is basic in appearance and is limited to 4GB of RAM, however it also doesn't use that much RAM so 4GB is more than enough. My Windows 7 machine is always locking up for a few moments anytime it has to process multiple things whereas my XP machine is purely for programming, web design, and some simple graphic design, which it handles perfectly.

I was really disappointed with Windows 8 though as I was expecting an improved version of Windows 7 but it's more like a hybrid version of Windows & Mobile Phone operating systems...

Edited January 7, 2013 by RFX

[HELEN]

My older sister has Windows 8 installed on her new notebook. I had to help her out with installing new software and deleting some of the bloatware. Windows 8 is quite distasteful, if you ask me. My first impression of it wasn't good--a lot of getting used to. The Start button, closing the programs (had to take several minutes to figure that out), etc. were are quite confusing for a first time user.

 

It took me an hour or so to understand where everything was and how it worked. 

[yellowman]

Haven't tried W8 yet, but I heard the search feature ( search for files, folders...) in it is unbelievably fast and handy, much better than W7.