Windows 8 Opinions

[jesmu84]

Need to purchase a new laptop and wanted to know anyone's opinion of Windows 8. I can get either 7 or 8 installed on the new laptop, so I'm trying to get a feel of which one would be better. I'd declare myself an "advanced" computer user who picks up new technology quickly, so a learning curve doesn't bother me.

[NavinRJohnson]

Don't bother with 8. It's an unmitigated failure, and will be replaced soon.

[mr.MUskie]

I have 7 on one computer and 8 on another.  My personal opinion, unless you have a touchscreen, there are no real advantages to 8.  The computer with 8 starts on the live tile screen, but I exit it and then you have a screen that looks just like 7.  One benefit 8 is supposed to have is saving to the cloud.  I haven't used it, but I guess it could be helpful.  If you have the choice, and all other things are equal, like cost, go with 8.  It's the latest and greatest, and once you get past the tile screen, not all that different than 7.

[jesmu84]

I have 7 on one computer and 8 on another.  My personal opinion, unless you have a touchscreen, there are no real advantages to 8.  The computer with 8 starts on the live tile screen, but I exit it and then you have a screen that looks just like 7.  One benefit 8 is supposed to have is saving to the cloud.  I haven't used it, but I guess it could be helpful.  If you have the choice, and all other things are equal, like cost, go with 8.  It's the latest and greatest, and once you get past the tile screen, not all that different than 7.

Those are my thoughts as well. The laptop is a touch screen because to me getting a new laptop right now it only makes sense to have the option of touch going forward, even if I don't end up using it all that much. I played around with 8 at Best Buy ("amazon's showroom") and thought the live tiles were fine if you had a touch screen. Otherwise jump to the old desktop and go with mouse/keyboard.

[mu_hilltopper]

I got a laptop with 8 on it a few months ago.

Go with Win8.

Basically, Windows 8 is Windows 7 with this stupid app tile screen thing.

If you ignore the app stuff, Win8 behaves pretty much exactly like Win7.

You do need to install a "Start" button program because Win8 has (stupidly) removed it from the OS.  I tried 4-5 of them, and ended up with Classic Shell (http://www.classicshell.net) .. free.

There's a slim chance you'll like some of the Win8 apps, so that's why I'd recommend it, since you can basically make it work like Win7 without too much effort.

[Coleman]

Just got a Mac....

Its the greatest purchase I've ever made. I'm a convert

[🏀]

Just got a Mac....

Its the greatest purchase I've ever made. I'm a convert

I picked up a Macbook 9-10 months ago. I like it, but it's not a world beater like fanboys like it to be. Especially when it comes to Windows programs and trying to mount to run something like Pepakura.

If Mac could have the Windows 'window' snapping to split the screen, I'd be happier.

[Coleman]

I believe there is a way to run both simultaneously.

I got an iMac. I love the screen size.

[PBRme]

Don't bother with 8. It's an unmitigated failure, and will be replaced soon.

Probably in 3-4 years by Windows 9.