We had to buy a new laptop (well, we thought we had to but maybe not after all!) and of course it came with Windows 8. Oh boy. Why do they make it so different to Windows 7? Has anyone else struggled with it like I am?
If you would prefer that older windows 7 desktop, then download and install "Classic shell" which is freeware, or you can pay a pittance for "start8" and you will have the best of both worlds.
I use Classic shell and it is great, but I have been told that Start8 is even better.
Yes, I prefer Windows 7 but Windows 8 is already installed and I guess I'll get it used to it eventually. At least I can still use 'desktop' which looks like the old one.
Yes for sure download classic shell if you prefer windows 7. 8 and 8.1 are designed to bridge the gap between the Android style of operating system and the PC. More and more of the stuff you can buy now runs an App style operating system, Phones ,Tablets TV's and very soon with Smart TV's you will be running everything through your TV.
Whatever Microsoft do with the next operating system it will probably be App based for sheer economic reasons. Too many phones and tablets running android/App based software. Just too big a slice of the market to ignore.
I was talking to a salesman in HN yesterday and he watches all his free to air TV through a smart TV. He doesn't watch the programs he likes when they are broadcast, with the smart TV he watches them when he wants whatever the time.
I used to love my '68 Jaguar S type but a modern Diesel Holden Cruise has better acceleration speed and fuel economy than my Jag.
I took delivery of a new PC running Windows 8.1 recently, have spent the past week running my old and new PC's side by side, experiencing the joys of configuring a new puter, i.e, setting up email, data transfer, loading programs, transferring bookmarks etc.
After all of the negative opinions (mostly from people who have never used the OS) must admit I was a little concerned that I may have been in for torrid time, nothing is further from the truth, it really has been a straight forward operation, most of what was there in XP is certainly still there, some things are accessed a little differently, no big deal, just takes a little getting used to.
Sure, like everything there is room for improvement, however a lot of this will come down to personal preferences and how we choose to set the machine up for our own use.
For them that's interested, it's a custom built PC.
Intel i7-4770 CPU
Gigabyte G1 B5 full size mother board
16GB DDR3 1600MHz RAM
1TB WD black HDD
LG BlueRay rewriter.
2 x 22 inch monitors (dual screen setup)
So, in answer to the question, what do people think of Windows 8? I'm impressed, setup was easy, and the OS while different is easy enough to come to terms with, not sure what all the fuss is about.
-- Edited by Santa on Thursday 13th of February 2014 10:27:36 AM
I am constantly amazed at those who want new stuff to work just like the old one did.
That was one of the major problems that MS had in the early days, trying to make their new stuff work with the old.
Imagine if they made cars and aeroplanes where all of the old parts were still compatible with the new models.
The DC3 Dakota from WW2 is still flying while it's contemporaries are sitting in plane parks rotting away. Nothing wrong inn liking something, be it computers or other hardware that's old, working and your comfortable with. Just my opinion. Old is beautiful.
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Cheers Peter and Sue
"If I agree with you we'll both be wrong"
No, I'm not busy, I did it right the first time.
Self-powered wheelie walker, soon a power chair (ex. Nomad)
Running older software is fine provided the OS supports it, however much of the older stuff is way past its use by date and will only cause you grief if you try to run it.
Some times you just have to bite the bullet and use the rubbish bin.
Hi all. My opinion of Windows 8 is on par with my opinion of tow balls on surf boards. Anyone looking to replace a computer and, like me and others, is more comfortable with Windows 7 should have a look at the Dell site. Dell have a refurbishment facility and offer these units with the 'good old' systems installed, warranty and, best of all, 1800 customer support. Well worth a look IMHO. Cheers.
Have just bought a new laptop, my second machine running Windows 8.1, have not changed my opinion, like any new operating system it takes a little getting used to.
Windows 8.1 runs well on both my machines and is no more difficult to use than XP once you learn to find you way around, not a difficult task.