My quick take on windows 8

Science & Technology Information Technology, Gaming, Machines, Gadgets
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I did a 30 mins test drive of Surface and a Windows 8 Laptop at a Microsoft Kiosk in a mall. Here is my take.

Its an average OS for tablet, pathetic and and amazingly immature looking OS for laptops/desktops.

I predict a failure more colossal than windows Vista.

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

how did you like surface?

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

^ Surface was good. Very fast, very nice display. I love the size. the smart cover keyboard is amazing. I was thinking that back hinge would look ugly but its beautifully done, and you can actually hold the tablet and keyboard on your lap like a netbook.

I am quite impressed with the pricing. $499 for 32 GB tablet and then you can add SD card also, plus it has a USB port. If you add Smart cover than its $599.

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

the irony is - the smart cover which was being portrayed as the USP for surface - comes optional. without smartcover surface loses big chunk of usability

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

That was the RT. Wait till the Pro comes out.

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

^ are you sure PRO is coming out in Tablet? I could not confirm that news on internet.

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

Yes I am sure. The Surface with Windows RT was released first. The Surface with Windows Pro comes out later, release date unknown but probably a couple months. This is where the meat and potatoes will be. It's supposed to be like a laptop in terms of functionality but the size of what you saw.

How do I know? Well.

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

And oh:
Surface is powerful with Windows 8 Pro

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

The biggest issue with Windows 8 is that you cannot switch it to 'classic windows' mode. You have to deal with it in mosaic mode. For tablet, its ok, but for a full fledged laptop, it feels very awkward

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

This was my initial feelings too, when i started using the Windows 8 Alpha's and Beta's on my laptop. But you get used to it, i spend most of my time on the desktop and desktop apps, so the new start menu doesn't bothers me much, still its a big usability mistake on a 15 inch laptop or bigger desktop screen. Anyways, there is no other choice for a new laptop /desktop buyer than getting used with windows 8, so it will be a success (a forced success) for microsoft in what they really wants. They want people to get familiar with their mobile OS, and they are forcing people to start using it. Its a great UI for a Tablet/ Mobile phone, but on a larger screen it wastes so much space, and there is no windowing for the metro apps (modern apps), so the basic concept of windows is not anymore.

Yes, windows 8 Pro will be running on x86 (Intel / AMD chips) and will be compatible with all windows apps (unlike Windows RT).

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

^ I agree. Basically its a brand new learning for an average user. Its a huge drawback. Windows 95, as much as they toot, was not so different and easy to learn. With windows 8, i felt like that I hit a wall.

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

You can use the windows button to toggle between tile mode and classic mode

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

^ No there is no such thing like that. There is a setting or app that makes your screen looks closer to what windows used to be, but that screen is more like opening a browser window, its not a proper 'mode'

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

Why does it need to be a proper classic mode. It looks and does everything similar with added features like universal search. If you mean you can't find the start menu, then you can use the search feature instead. It is very fast and accurate.

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

Its a very steep learning for a regular user and the look is so unprofessional that forget about corporations adopting windows 8.

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

Windows 7 search was better, i just have to press the start button and start typing, it will find me the apps/files/documents am looking for, but on windows 8, i have to press Windows + F, then select what i was looking for, apps or files or music, it looks like we are going backwards with universal search.

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

I don't how these corporations decide on these things. I hear they usually take an year or two switch any software. Anyway, in my case my old Win7 laptop has become faster and doesn't seem to heat up as much.

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

Man, why the big change? :( I haven't looked into it in detail but I know some people with windows phones and they find it annoying. Every time I use their phones i get annoyed too. I don't think I want my laptop to be annoying.

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

I am also surprised. I am not sure what was going through the mind of MS executives other than the Apple Phobia and an effort to jump ahead of them in the game. I know that they wanted to have a similar looking OS for all platforms (Phones, Tablets and PC) but things dont work like that in real life. They have tried that earlier with Mobile PC and failed. I dont know why they think that its going to fly this time.

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Re: My quick take on windows 8

I like the way windows 7 is...and I don't mind change either as long as its gradual where it doesn't feel like I am working with a whole different system. I don't get the need to have the same OS for all the gadgets.