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).