Computers & Networking

[brentgag]

Do you happen to know when MS is going to release Windows 8.  

If I buy a computer from you now, do you offer a free upgrade to Windows 8 when it comes out?

You have a Toshiba that is calling my name....

[xl]

• There is not a release date announced.  Many speculate it will be in the Fall.  However, that date can be earlier or later depending on how the testing goes.
• Some releases have been delayed by months or years to maximize quality
• After a date is announced, you will hear of a grace period where you can purchase a machine with a free update.  Some find it a hassle to go this route because you need to spend time reinstalling software and risk problems if the installation goes funny.
• No, you will not get a free Windows 8 if you purchase a machine now.  You can get Beta versions of Windows 8 if you don't mind having an unstable machine.

[ncoclub]

I really don't think its a good idea to buy a new OS when it first comes out. I have used MS OS's since the first release (and i'm talking right after DOS)and have gone thru at least 4 versions that stank. Remember all the hype surrounding VISTA?...just saying.

[joea64]

I agree with ncoclub. I never even attempted to adopt Vista, sticking with Windows XP Pro SP 2 all the way through from 2005 to 2012 (prior to that I'd been running Windows 98 SE). As a matter of fact, my employer's computers in the production area almost all still run XP Pro. I'm just getting really started with Win 7 Home Premium SP 1 and I doubt Windows 8 will be really ready for prime time, as the saying goes, for at least a year or so after its release. (Actually, I could cite the old saw about how every other release of Windows seems to have significant problems... )

[seekrtz · Accepted solution]

Microsoft is shooting for an October release most likely, but it could be pushed back into November.  I see no reason why Windows 8 would not make its release before the holiday season of 2012 based on the consumer preview.

The Windows 7 beta was very stable and in a way marked a big change in the way Microsoft is approaching the development of Windows.  WIndows 8 is fully transparent with 7 and will run any and all compatible software.  It uses less RAM and has slightly lower hardware requirements than Windows 7; which is a nice deviation from the Vista release disaster.

The legacy Start Button is no longer visible and has been replaced with a very streamlined menu list (right-click in the bottom left corner where the Start Button used to be).  The new Start Screen (Metro-UI) is the default shell.  Toggling between the Desktop and Start Screen is extremely fast, fluid, and simple (just press the Windows key or use the metro tile labeled desktop).  All the old Windows shortcuts and command prompt commands are still viable and the mentioned Start Menu list above is a power users dream; no more sifting through laborious dynamic menus of suck to get to options such as "Programs and Features" is a welcomed change IMHO.  I see many complaints over the new Start screen, but I do not miss the old Start Menu in the least; good riddance

[joea64]

Well, I'm a grouchy old fellow and set in my ways (back in the 1990's, I was a stubborn user of OS/2 Warp for over 5 years while Windows 95 and 98 ran their course), and I see no particular need to change over to a new operating system (Windows 8) when I'm just really starting to learn how to use this one (Windows 7). Plus which, I probably really couldn't afford it anyway. I'm a firm believer in using OS'es for as long as they can possibly work, or maybe even longer - I was using Windows 98 SE until 2005 on my desktops and 2007 on my laptop and stuck with Windows XP for a cool seven years after I first adopted it in 2005. At this rate, I might still be using Windows 7 on at least one machine in 2019.

[RealGeorgeW Emerging Expert · Accepted solution]

This is coming from someone who works for an upper level network operations center.

We're just in the past year or two pushed out 7 to almost every computer. It works, it works well. So far, I've had fewer problems with 7 than any other OS I've ever tried.

I've personally played with both the Dev and Consumer Preview builds, and, to put it simply, I cannot see the office(military in general really), but mostly professional/business operations adopting 8 any time soon. The Metro interface is, to be frank, aggravating without a touch input device. Change IS good. The changes from XP > Vista > 7 were good.

I know I'll sound like an old stubborn fart, but the changes, to me, are simply entirely too radical, and I really think MS is going to alienate a lot of customers with the drastic changes.

[xl]

How does $15 sound if you purchase a machine after June 2nd.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404427,00.asp

[Neihn Valued Contributor]

I personally wish windows 8 would go back to where it came from. It absolutly sucks as a desktop OS. Decent for tablets or touch screens but beyond horrible for a standard desktop.

Unless you have a touchscreen computer I suggest to everyone I know to stick with 7.

[Rrrrrrr]

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Neihn wrote:

I personally wish windows 8 would go back to where it came from. It absolutly sucks as a desktop OS. Decent for tablets or touch screens but beyond horrible for a standard desktop.

Unless you have a touchscreen computer I suggest to everyone I know to stick with 7.

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Kinda where I'm thinking. I HATE touchscreens on laptops and desktops. Although a friend is Windows 8 this and Windows 8 that. He is however a fanboy for whatever flavour he is in. A while ago it was Asus this, Asus that until he had an issue with Asus laptop then went and bought all new HP stuff. Now its HP this and HP that.