Windows 8. Do desktop users need it?

[Dahaka27]

After having a bit of a read of the comments attached to Notch's article stating that windows 8 is terrible last night; I proposed a small question that wasn't really picked up on: (rephrased slightly) As a desktop user / PC gamer, is windows 8 worth upgrading to?

I have paid little attention to windows 8 so far and have not really bothered to try and test it since I can't be bothered testing an OS that may or may not work at all (end of beta or not).

I have gleaned some things that seem to be different but they don't really seem important.

As a person who likes to sit down after work, boot up my PC and figure out what I want to play that night after scanning my desktop icons looking for that game I bought in the Steam summer sale and figuring out if it was worth it or not, is Windows 8 worth bothering about if yes/no why?

 

[Hoplon]

Sort answer, No.

Long answer, it's a reskin of win 7 for tablets and ARM architecture which frankly has nothing to do with desktop users.

 

[Zoe Castillo]

--

 

[KoudelkaMorgan]

All good to know. Also, I clicked Kendarik's spinning button...

 

[ohnoitsabear]

Unless you really need the minor perfrmance boost that will come with upgrading (one of the few positives of Microsoft developing an operating system for tablets), then no, there is very little, if any, reason for you to upgrade. Plus, even if Windows 8 was looking good (which it isn't), it's probably not a good idea to upgrade until the operating system has been out for a few months.

 

[Prime_Hunter_H01]

I would wait for Windows 9. Starting Windows 98 they seem to be having a good, crap, good pattern. Windows XP lasted untill now and its service will stop in 2014. And games are still supporting it, upgrade now while you can get Windows 7 Since it will last a long time.

 

[Phlakes]

I stuck with XP for eight or so years, so I think I can stick with 7 until something decent comes out. I'm starting to wonder if there'll be a pattern where every second release is good.

Also holy shit, XP is almost 11 years old.

 

[evilneko]

I don't know about upgrading from 7. But if you're still clinging to XP (hi) then it's definitely a worthy upgrade--especially since the upgrade is only 40 bucks. I tried 7 and didn't much care for it, saw no benefit over XP. I had it on my desktop for maybe a few days, tried it on my laptop for a couple weeks. Neither benefited from it and it annoyed the fuck out of me. (literally, I couldn't find my fuck anywhere)

I slapped 8 on my laptop a 4-5 weeks ago and it has been an almost entirely positive experience. Metro does NOT get in the way at all, is easily and quickly dismissed and overall Win 8 performs as well or better on my laptop than XP or 7.

BTW, Notch is worried about nothing. Desktop apps will not be forced to go through Windows Store. Phones and upcoming Windows Tablets may or may not be locked to the store, but hey--it's fucking Windows. It's gonna get rooted.

 

[Desaari]

Let me put it this way: I'm still using Windows XP.

 

[Ed130 The Vanguard]

Sort answer, No.

Long answer, it's a reskin of win 7 for tablets and ARM architecture which frankly has nothing to do with desktop users.

That and Microsoft's apparent attempts to close the OS is why neither myself or any of my family are going to get it.

Put it this way, I'm one of the guys who tests OS for the University I work for, I've tested XP, Vista and Windows 7. I'm NOT going to be testing Windows 8, As in it isn't even being considered.

Captcha: tuna fish

 

[kouriichi]

Psh, no. Im keeping my vista. Its got me by this long, i see no reason to change it.

 

[viranimus]

I really dont see why. There are large format touch screen monitors but so few it would not be justified. Take away the metrosexual GUI, and it literally is windows 7. I do not even see where there is a proven benchmark that indicates there is any performance improvement either. (granted its hard to compare previews to fully functional software, but still)

Basically same kernel and compatibility, Same GUI, Same functionality (minus gadgets /lament) So why bother?

 

[GigaHz]

If closed OS becomes the standard for Windows, I'm jumping ship and adopting Linux.

For now, Windows 7 is just fine.

 

[darth.pixie]

Nope. It's worse than Vista. Way...way worse. I dissected the system files just to check. 7 is probably the best one so far for x64 users.

 

[Hoplon]

I don't know about upgrading from 7. But if you're still clinging to XP (hi) then it's definitely a worthy upgrade--especially since the upgrade is only 40 bucks. I tried 7 and didn't much care for it, saw no benefit over XP. I had it on my desktop for maybe a few days, tried it on my laptop for a couple weeks. Neither benefited from it and it annoyed the fuck out of me. (literally, I couldn't find my fuck anywhere)

I slapped 8 on my laptop a 4-5 weeks ago and it has been an almost entirely positive experience. Metro does NOT get in the way at all, is easily and quickly dismissed and overall Win 8 performs as well or better on my laptop than XP or 7.

BTW, Notch is worried about nothing. Desktop apps will not be forced to go through Windows Store. Phones and upcoming Windows Tablets may or may not be locked to the store, but hey--it's fucking Windows. It's gonna get rooted.

Thing is without the metro UI it is windows 7. Though win 7 was notorious for hiding fucks... (I have no idea)

 

[SnowyGamester]

It's basically Windows 7 but a bit quicker, with a new start menu and a few new features (useful ones, too). Unless the few new features seem interesting though, it probably isn't worth the upgrade. That being said, I've been using the release preview and things are going great, and while I haven't gotten around to mounting any ISOs or testing how cloud settings or USB booting works I'll definitely be glad they're there when I need them.

Also, for anyone reading this that still hasn't worked it out - WINDOWS 8 ISN'T RESTRICTIVE OR CLOSED DOWN IN ANY WAY THAT PREVIOUS VERSIONS WEREN'T. The settings, functionality, and desktop are still there, for the desktop/laptop releases the Metro interface is just a start menu replacement that can also have gadgets on it (though I can't speak for the version for ARM processors in tablets which may be more like a mobile OS).

 

[Hoplon]

It's basically Windows 7 but a bit quicker, with a new start menu and a few new features (useful ones, too). Unless the few new features seem interesting though, it probably isn't worth the upgrade. That being said, I've been using the release preview and things are going great, and while I haven't gotten around to mounting any ISOs or testing how cloud settings or USB booting works I'll definitely be glad they're there when I need them.

Also, for anyone reading this that still hasn't worked it out - WINDOWS 8 ISN'T RESTRICTIVE OR CLOSED DOWN IN ANY WAY THAT PREVIOUS VERSIONS WEREN'T. The settings, functionality, and desktop are still there, for the desktop/laptop releases the Metro interface is just a start menu replacement that can also have gadgets on it (though I can't speak for the version for ARM processors in tablets which may be more like a mobile OS).

I think what most dev's are worried about is having to sell though the "app store" the way apple seem to be pushing too.

 

[Lukeje]

I'd wait for the first couple of service packs regardless. After that it should at least be usable...

 

[loc978]

Actually, I think this is just what we've needed for a long time. A Windows OS so bad that it causes enough companies to jump ship to Unix-based OSes that we actually have a viable alternative with native gaming support. I fully support Windows 8 being released on the track it's on, and the OS monopoly ending as a result.

Wishful thinking, I know.

Also, yeah... I dual-boot XP and kubuntu. I'd like to stop needing XP.

 

[Rack]

It's a very slightly improved version of 7, absolutely no reason to upgrade over that, but if you're still on Vista definitely go for it as it's a cheap upgrade and massively better than that. If you're on XP then maybe not, it's a lot of new stuff to get used to and a fair performance drop but it will be supported longer.

Oh and if you're complaining about the lack of a start menu then why the hell are you using the start menu?