Hewlett Packard Promotes Windows 7 On New PCs
- Thread starter Andy Chalk
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I like many (I think/hope) tried Windows 8, but in the end I just didn't like it. I really tried to approach it with an open mind. No dice. 8 works to be sure yet I'm one of the many that never upgraded. The interface just isn't for me. It feels like it was made for phones (which I've seen it work well on) and touch screen comps. Been awhile since I tried it, but I heard they updated 8 and are already working on 9. Here's hoping it's something sensible and easy to get into.
Unification vs fragmentation.blackrave said:
Two versions means two versions to develop and maintain from now, for both Microsoft itself and 3rd party developers who would like to provide their product as both a mobile app and a desktop one.
And of course, users have to use two different sets of programs and systems for much of the same stuff.
One version of windows means one version to develop and maintain, while allowing desktop users not only access to traditional programs, but also gives both desktop and mobile users access to mobile apps.
Personally, while Windows 8 has some flaws that I hope not see resolved in 9, overall I rather enjoy it.
While the lack of a start button required some adjusting to, I rather like having the entire 'mobile interface' thing as an alternative. it's plenty quick and you can still access everything just the same.
Plus, I rather like having access to apps outside of actually using a mobile device, ideally I'd prefer an android overlay, but what can you do...
What I do not like is when I am using the traditional desktop interface and attempt to open a file, and it defaults to one of the 'windows apps' to open it. Sure, it can be changed, but as a default it's bloody annoying when it happens. Nor do I like the screwy little side panel menus designed for side swiping on mobile devices. Pain in the ass on a desktop.
What I always hear is that Win 8 is good IF your device uses a touchscreen. Otherwise it's better internals but a complete clusterfcuk trying to use any other input device.Grabehn said:
My university program gives me the pro versions of every (3.1 anyone?) Windows OS, so I installed it. After installing classic shell to bring back the start menu and banish the metro screen and hot corners for eternity windows 8 is ALMOST good enough to use.
It´s good. It´s fast and stable and just in general an improved version of windows 7. Some people might have trouble with the start screen but you can start to the desktop by flipping a switch in the settings, I do.Grabehn said:
Really, how often do you even use the start menu? Because I´ve found I only ever actually enter the start screen to quickly get to my mail. Otherwise most complaints really seem quite petty to me. "What? I need to click settings to shut down?! Next you´ll be telling I need to press the power button on my phone to mute it."
Now the major complaint I could see is that there simply is no real reason to upgrade from 7. It´s an improvement but not a vast one. I got it when it went for like spare change for a while there and I`m happy with that purchase but I doubt I would upgrade from 7 at full price.
The problem with Windows 8 is that they didn't go far enough, they just added a tablet/phone OS layer of paint but didn't take any of the better features of mobile OS. Like easy and convenient backing up of apps/programs, you still install software the bog standard windows way.Jadak said:
With OS like Android and iOS all your apps and data are backed up as standard, no need for any other action. Lose your data? Buy a new or second device? Easy as pie to get everything setup and once given permission it will essentially take care of it by itself, with windows 8 you have to migrate the old way which takes more time and more user input.
A desktop OS should never be like a mobile OS but Microsoft could use a lot of the clean and simple utility of certain mobile OS with the ability to switch to more advanced modes with ease, the future will blend the operating systems more and more. Mobile devices are becoming really powerful now and for most purposes they match PCs in function for most tasks apart from core gaming and productive tasks like video editing, they handle browsing, media and office tasks just fine now and storage is about to go through the roof as we are now seeing 128GB tablets sparking a storage arms race.
With smart TV/monitor/display functionality in the future it will be possible to only own one device for everything apart from gaming and heavy duty tasks, screencasting is a little primitive at the moment but it shows potential. With wireless screencasting and input devices like keyboards a tablet can easily be a PC with all the large screen and HID options we have with PCs, as this tech improves it wont make PCs obsolete or give tablets a supremacy it will be a steady blending of the two.
I agree with this, at first I was a bit mystified at the Win8 start menu but once I got used to it I saw that it's actually a vast improvement on the original start menu. It's a lot more intuitive even with a mouse and keyboard, and after I figured out how to get custom shortcuts on there it lost a lot of its awkwardness.Megacherv said:
There are some things I think they could do better, though. They really need to find a better place for the Search/Run text box, it's a critical part of starting various programs easily and was better where I could reach it in one click, instead of moving the mouse to the top corner and waiting patiently for the appropriate menu to saunter over for the OPTION to click it.
Can see why they would do that,
Windows 8 really requires a bit of technical expertise to reconfigure so that it acts as if the metro thing never happened.
Just don't use any first-party programs, preferably even get open-source alternatives, and Windows 8 is completely usable and even faster than 7.
Which is really as damning as this article, but I'll say it again: Windows 8, perfectly fine as long as you don't use Microsoft programs on it.
Windows 8 really requires a bit of technical expertise to reconfigure so that it acts as if the metro thing never happened.
Just don't use any first-party programs, preferably even get open-source alternatives, and Windows 8 is completely usable and even faster than 7.
Which is really as damning as this article, but I'll say it again: Windows 8, perfectly fine as long as you don't use Microsoft programs on it.
They could do what they always did and drop a fat check in someone's wallet, which would miraculously make this Win 7 offer disappear.008Zulu said:
But at this point Win 9 is only moments away so they are probably saving that check for seasons and deals to come.
I really don't see why people hate Windows 8. I use it in a traditional desktop computer, and it works fine. You don't have to use the Metro interface and can easily hide it. And it boots much faster than Windows 7, so there's that.
Haters gonna hate, I guess.
Haters gonna hate, I guess.
Smart idea. Avoid problems with the product by bypassing problematic/undesirable software.
Now if only HP were able to figure a way that they can avoid problems with the product by bypassing customers having to use their hardware, they would be raking in the cas... errr.. uhm.. waitaminute.
Now if only HP were able to figure a way that they can avoid problems with the product by bypassing customers having to use their hardware, they would be raking in the cas... errr.. uhm.. waitaminute.
What I'd consider to be a decent compromise would be the idea of designing Windows 9 so that it detects hardware on installation and also offers an option to opt out of the touchscreen-esque controls.
"We've detected Generic Touchscreen Monitor during the install process. Do you want to use Metro as your default layout? Declining will activate icon and context-based features similar to those found in Windows 7. Should you wish to switch to Metro or back to Win7 features at a later date, you'll find the associated option in the Operating System Layout item of the Control Panel."
See? Something like that would be nice and fair. No touchscreen? You still get the option to try it out if you want, but the dialog box would be altered to prioritize the use of Windows 7's feature list instead of Metro's.
"We've detected Generic Touchscreen Monitor during the install process. Do you want to use Metro as your default layout? Declining will activate icon and context-based features similar to those found in Windows 7. Should you wish to switch to Metro or back to Win7 features at a later date, you'll find the associated option in the Operating System Layout item of the Control Panel."
See? Something like that would be nice and fair. No touchscreen? You still get the option to try it out if you want, but the dialog box would be altered to prioritize the use of Windows 7's feature list instead of Metro's.
I've worked with Windows 8 from other computers and I have to admit I am not impressed with it. I find its interface unintuitive and irritating. My dad got Windows 8 for his laptop and there are moments he calls me to help figure out why he can't access certain things. One example is trying to download a file from Gmail using the Windows 8 interface. I couldn't tell what percentage of the file was done downloading, I couldn't tell if there was a strong Internet connection (he lives out in the boonies), and I couldn't tell where to access it after it downloaded. I had to go to the desktop, open a browser, and access the Gmail account that way to get the email file. Perhaps I'm too use to the older versions but Windows 8 just doesn't fit for me. It's catering way too much to the tablet market that has top notch net speed and not everyone has jumped onto that band wagon for certain reasons. There may be a way to customize Windows 8 to one's specifications but I just don't see it. I also heard that, in order to get Microsoft Office, you have to place either a monthly or yearly subscription. Is this true?
Either way, my next PC or laptop purchase will not have Windows 8. I've worked with a Dell computer for many years but if they won't customize it to my specifications, I'll be signing up with HP for now on.
Either way, my next PC or laptop purchase will not have Windows 8. I've worked with a Dell computer for many years but if they won't customize it to my specifications, I'll be signing up with HP for now on.