Wednesday, December 7th 2011

Windows 8 'Irrelevant' For PC Users

Well, it looks like the Windows 8 flagship feature, the Metro interface, isn't going down too well with PC users, according to leading market research firm International Data Corp. On top of that, there aren't really any killer improvements in the operating system that make shelling out for a new version compelling. The Metro interface, while suited to a smartphone or tablet, really doesn't do anything for a desktop PC, because it's operation is very restrictive compared to the standard desktop that's been around for over 15 years on Windows and is now a very refined and sophisticated user interface. Also, the fact that many organizations have only recently migrated to Windows 7 and are not looking to spend money in the current economic climate and go through the pains of another upgrade cycle again isn't helping. The poor economy looks like it will hamper sales of Windows 8 on its target devices, tablets, too. Finally, IDC said: "(T)here will be intense scrutiny on Microsoft's ability to deliver a successful tablet experience aboard both x86-based tablets and on devices running ARM processors. This is a tall order for Microsoft, and while the x86 tablet strategy makes sense as a transitional solution for today's PC users, it will be the ARM-based devices that need to shine and clear a high bar already set by Apple."
Sources: xbit labs, zdnet
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150 Comments on Windows 8 'Irrelevant' For PC Users

#1
kciaccio
Agreed. I have been using the developers version in a virtual machine and it sucks so far.
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#2
pantherx12
kciaccioAgreed. I have been using the developers version in a virtual machine and it sucks so far.
You tried it non virtual?

I hear it's quite nice to use from other folk.
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#3
Delta6326
.......Why would anyone want a OS that looks likes the Xbox 360's or a windows phone on a computer?
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#4
qubit
Overclocked quantum bit
kciaccioAgreed. I have been using the developers version in a virtual machine and it sucks so far.
I tried using it without referring to any documentation and it drove me spare, as I couldn't get back to a proper desktop. Then I read up on how Metro is supposed to work and couldn't believe that it brings back full-screen single tasking apps to the PC. WTF Microsoft! I didn't bother with it after that.
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#5
LAN_deRf_HA
Ok, hating on this OS is just idiotic. All the shit everyone complains about can be disabled. You know what you're left with after that? A very efficient and full featured OS. Largely in part because of trying to work on arm based systems. This will be the first windows OS where I won't have to tweak the services for every scrap of performance on a netbook or when running benchmarks. Efficiency not your thing? Fine, can it and wait for windows 15 or w/e
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#6
pantherx12
LAN_deRf_HAOk, hating on this OS is just idiotic. All the shit everyone complains about can be disabled. You know what you're left with after that? A very efficient and full featured OS. Largely in part because of trying to work on arm based systems. This will be the first windows OS where I won't have to tweak the services for every scrap of performance on a netbook or when running benchmarks. Efficiency not your thing? Fine, can it and wait for windows 15 or w/e
Yeah this why I've been hearing good stuff, uses less ram, boots faster new UI stuff can be disabled.

I like the idea of dynamic icons like the tiles though, shame you can't mix and match UI elements, maybe in the retail version though.
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#7
qubit
Overclocked quantum bit
LAN_deRf_HAOk, hating on this OS is just idiotic. All the shit everyone complains about can be disabled. You know what you're left with after that? A very efficient and full featured OS. Largely in part because of trying to work on arm based systems. This will be the first windows OS where I won't have to tweak the services for every scrap of performance on a netbook or when running benchmarks. Efficiency not your thing? Fine, can it and wait for windows 15 or w/e
I know about the registry hack to turn Metro off and then indeed it works nicely. However, it looks like Microsoft doesn't intend the Metro interface to be turned off in the retail version, so we'll be stuck with it. Seriously, single tasking full screen apps only? Are they mad?
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#8
kciaccio
pantherx12You tried it non virtual?

I hear it's quite nice to use from other folk.
It won't make a difference. Running it in a VM is exactly the same as using it as my main OS.
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#9
20mmrain
Duh .... Microsoft it took marketing to tell you this??? You have something good in Windows 7 if you wanna do something come out with Windows 7.5 or something exapnded on windows 7(like more service packs). Windows 8 with its metro style is great for people with All in One's, Tablets, Touch screen Net books, and phones.... but not for serious PC users. Not to mention its horrible real world features..... (i.e) closing down all applications with Task Manager or letting them run in the back ground until Win 8 deems it has been idle long enough to close.... This type of stuff is okay when you are surfing the web/Facebook or tweeting but not when you are curing cancer or gaming. I could also go one with it's bad features but I will spare you.
Finally I understand what Microsoft is trying to do.... Get the mobile market and Home PC's all on one big OS so everything can be universal.... But think about it.... if people really really wanted their PC to be like a Phone.... why wouldn't they just by a phone. You don't have to change the OS in order to make it compatible with everything.
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#10
bostonbuddy
windows 8 was designed so you could have one operating system spanning your computer, consul, phone, tablet, car, brain implant, whatever.
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#11
AsRock
TPU addict
Delta6326.......Why would anyone want a OS that looks likes the Xbox 360's or a windows phone on a computer?
Yeah pretty much deceiving the idea of having a computer lol. At least for now you can just turn that BS off :-).
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#12
n-ster
I have to agree that Windows 7 is the next Windows XP in that it will stay for more than 1-2 years for sure. However many businesses haven't bothered with windows 7 either :/

It is time to stop making programs that can supported by Windows XP and LOWER and start making them Vista and higher or Windows 7 and higher.

Logically Windows 8 is better than 7 and people who are still on XP can upgrade to 8, but I bet more will be going XP --> 7. Businesses have no real reason to go from 7 to 8 as that would cost them a lot of money and time for basically nothing
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#13
swaaye
n-sterIt is time to stop making programs that can supported by Windows XP and LOWER and start making them Vista and higher or Windows 7 and higher.
Not a good call when 80 gazillion people are using Windows XP. I don't mean gamer people, I mean non savvy people who buy software too.

Microsoft will continue to make sure the latest Windows has exceptional backward compatibility anyway.
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#14
TRWOV
I've been using the W8 Developer Preview for nearly two months. You can turn off the Metro interface and work on a desktop.

Apart from a few non-vital apps, everything I've installed has worked right away. The start-up time is ridiculous small, almost like coming up from C3. I'm thoroughly impressed with it so far.
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#15
..'Ant'..
Looks exactly like the new Xbox update.
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#16
Smilez
LAN_deRf_HAOk, hating on this OS is just idiotic. All the shit everyone complains about can be disabled. You know what you're left with after that? A very efficient and full featured OS. Largely in part because of trying to work on arm based systems. This will be the first windows OS where I won't have to tweak the services for every scrap of performance on a netbook or when running benchmarks. Efficiency not your thing? Fine, can it and wait for windows 15 or w/e
agreed. working fast and stable for me.
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#17
swaaye
Yeah I get the feeling that there are many angry ignorants who think the Metro interface is going to be jammed down their throat. Metro is for tablets, people. It's not going to touch the desktop interface that everybody uses for real, productive work.
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#18
n-ster
swaayeThe reason Windows dominates the desktop world is its backwards compatibility. That is why MS goes to such great effort to make sure Win 7 can run apps from Windows 98. If they change that stance they will kill themselves.
thing is that many programs work on XP don't on Vista or 7. I want programs to work on 7 god damn it!

I have to make a dual boot for my work so I can view the security cameras on Windows XP for example. I have to use Office 2003 so that my Accounting programs work... I want to use Windows 7 and Office 2010!

And for Microsoft's own good, it is time to kill Windows XP because it is hindering their sales, and it makes everyone program to make sure it works with XP too. By Windows 8 I really want XP dead so that the world can advance. By Windows "9" I want Vista dead too. That way everyone can be on Windows 7 and move the a new era

It will be 11 years in 2012 that XP exists... An OS shouldn't survive for more than a decade
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#19
kciaccio
swaayeYeah I get the feeling that there are many angry ignorants who think the Metro interface is going to be jammed down their throat. Metro is for tablets, people. It's not going to touch the desktop interface that everybody uses for real, productive work.
Then what is the huge benefit over win 7?

My computer is on 24/7 so I could care less about boot up.

Memory is cheap so using slightly less is not a motivator to invest money in a new OS.

I won't be using metro, so what would make a win7 desktop guy want to spend money on 8?
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#20
AphexDreamer
And this is the story of how Apple finally took the lead.
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#21
Steevo
Lol, wut?


You can go back to your desktop, its one of the icons on the homepage, you CAN multitask, just like windows 7.




What they have added is app integration, and more common look and feel for idiots who think their Iphone is the greatest shit since shit on crackers came forth from the asshole os Steve Jobs. And the ability for more streamlined media use. Perhaps once the DRM cockblocks get out of the way they will have a fully featured way to access all your media as part of your personal space that extends beyond most peoples jerkoff station.


Sounds more like a crybaby journalist couldn't figure out a new Beta toy and got frustrated so they wrote a hate piece.
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#22
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
The first pre-release Windows 7 builds were just as 'irrelevant' to anyone who used Vista. It's only after beta and RCs that people started seeing the performance improvements.
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#23
kciaccio
btarunrThe first pre-release Windows 7 builds were just as 'irrelevant' to anyone who used Vista. It's only after beta and RCs that people started seeing the performance improvements.
I can see that being the case I guess.
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#25
kciaccio
mediasorcererNobody forces us to upgrade.

There are choices.
Ya they do...it's called not supporting the older version anymore.
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