Happy with windows 8?

babyoh · March 10, 2014, 12:26:41 AM

i've been a big fan of XP and win7. i've heard mixed, mostly negative, on win8 though (no start menu, navigation is difficult, etc).

i was curious if others are happy with it.
(i'm in the market for a new computer and wondered if win8 is something to avoid).

Thanks.

pastywhitegurl · March 10, 2014, 01:32:22 AM

My honey just got a Windows 8 laptop, non-touch screen version. If you get yours with the Windows 8.1 update, you'll have a start button again. I'm sure he'll pop on and tell you about his learning curve. (He is also an XP and Windows 7 user).

PastyWhiteGuy · March 10, 2014, 06:30:41 AM

Yup, I am an XP and 7 user. I was leery at first. Most of the reviews I'd heard were also very negative. VERY negative. Even the sales rep admitted that the reviews were bad, but she explained that in her experience the reviews were bad because no one took the time to learn the product. It has a totally different mentality about itself. The interface is very different. What stuck for me was when the rep explained that you want to use the search function in the interface and type in what you want where possible. That's worked well for my few files and programs on this new computer. There is also a task bar button that brings up "Files Explorer". That works a lot like the Win7 version of Windows Explorer.

I've not gone there yet, but there is evidently a significant tutorial library on YouTube. It was highly recommended by the sales rep.

Digerati · March 10, 2014, 02:23:06 PM

Quotebut she explained that in her experience the reviews were bad because no one took the time to learn the product.

I agree 100% with that. It is human nature to like the status quo, and dislike change.

BUT Windows 8/8.1 is more secure, more stable, and much faster than any previous version. Security alone is reason enough to upgrade. Remember, W7 is already pushing 5 years old.

The vast majority of complaints are about the new W8 Start Screen (previously called the "metro UI"). If the complaint with Windows 8 is primarily Windows 8 new "metro" style Start Page and UI, then I recommend you check out Start8. Start8 brings back the familiar W7 Start Orb and Start Menu and lets you boot directly to the Windows Desktop instead of the new Windows 8 "Start Screen" that so many people don't like. Then W8 works and looks and feels almost exactly like the familiar W7. It cost $5 (after a 30-day trial period), but is well worth it, IMO.

See also Classic Shell. This product also brings back the Start Orb and menu, is free and very popular too. However, it has extra features and goodies that many (including myself) feel is unneeded "fluff". And perhaps because it is a free product it does not "appear" to have the "polished feel" of Start8. That said, it works very well so a few rough edges can easily be overlooked.

StartIsBack and Pokki are two more popular start screen alternatives. StartIsBack is not free, but pretty close at $3. However, like Classic Shell, StartIsBack has many features and user options that many users don't need.

winchester73 · March 10, 2014, 02:38:16 PM

Some new things in the April release: http://www.zdnet.com/a-new-windows-8-1-update-tries-to-win-back-desktop-diehards-7000027123/

Digerati · March 10, 2014, 02:53:22 PM

Good point.

BTW, I have already seen some helpers refer to that "Windows 8.1 Update 1" as "Windows 8.2". It is NOT 8.2! So I quickly interject on those threads to ensure users are not being misinformed.

Jasper The Rasper · March 10, 2014, 05:42:50 PM

I love W7 but was forced into (downgrading I thought at the time) W8 last November and the 8.1 when it came out.
I have got used to W8.1 and don't mind it at all however I prefer W7 by quite a wide margin. I will be interested to find out just how much of a difference the April update will make.

babyoh · March 10, 2014, 11:25:49 PM

thanks much for the comments on this! i'm ready for my win8 now.

i've been putting off getting a new computer, trying to hold out for win9.

i *adore* Ubuntu/Linux but need that Windows fix.

you guys gave me some useful info in the posts!

P.S. Digerati : when you say Classic Shell/StartIsBack have features " users don't need"... they don't "get in the way" do they? -- eat up memory, etc. The settings etc on each of those are pretty straight-forward?

Digerati · March 11, 2014, 02:15:25 PM

QuoteP.S. Digerati : when you say Classic Shell/StartIsBack have features " users don't need"... they don't "get in the way" do they? -- eat up memory, etc. The settings etc on each of those are pretty straight-forward?

Well, these are tiny programs so while these extra features do consume some system resources, not sure "getting in the way" is the problem - unless running on a computer with very limited resources (less than 4Gb of RAM, for example, or when running critically low on free disk space).

My problem with unneeded features and "fluff" is a cluttered UI/menu and "more moving parts". More parts means more potential points of failure.

Sometimes, a "basic" no-frills tool is all we need.