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
150 Comments on Windows 8 'Irrelevant' For PC Users
:)
Mint's a pretty good flavor.
Liquid Cool
The Apple mouse is touch sensitive, so it allows all sorts of gestures to be used. Implementing that in OS X is brilliant. But OS X is still very different from the iOS. There are no restrictions as you mentioned. I've been using using OS X Lion, Windows 7 and Ubuntu 10.04 on my PCs. Sort of. But I think the OS X and Linux platforms are still good for the traditional desktop. What Microsoft should do is release different versions for different purposes. Tablet edition for Tablets, Desktop version for Desktops and Server editions for Servers.
if Upper Govt Officials- President, Congress, HORs would take a 5-10% cut in pay or have part of what they make put to lower pay brackets n certain pensions they have removed after they are promoted etc n not a separate pension for every promotion. Get rid of the universal healthcare system (had no money to begin with) Stop worrying about supporting other nations and help ourselves first before helping anyone else. Its odd- there used to be a Working Class, those who could afford Cost of living but without excess and not worry too much about making ends meet. now there is just Rich and Poverty. Very sad Govt and Free Enterprise.
The better resource management alone makes it worth the upgrade I know a few engineers at work who would probably love to have a faster system without having to buy new hardware...
Any one who works in the corporate world now will understand the demand from the user base for mobile devices. Some organisations have gone out and purchased such devices as iPad's, however we all know that an iPad is not designed for business and provides a challenge for Systems Administrators to integrate. Windows 8 is a solution for the customers demands for tablet and mobile devices, while still being easily managed, without having to spend significant dollars on upgrading the back end. From a business perspective Windows 8 makes alot of sense. Instead of laptops mobile users could have the choice of a tablet running Windows 8 with a dock at work and a 4G SIM in the back connected into a corporate APN. A tablet on the go with everything you need a touch away and a fully functional PC when docked.
Windows 8 will likely herald an explosion of integrated tablet devices and phones to the corporate world. Combine this with a seamless home integration of Microsoft products and Microsoft market share increases.
Even better, the UI could be selected depending on the device used. By default, tablets should use Metro and PCs should use the Windows UI. After all, for tablets, Metro does seem quite nice.
One could argue that if a user is bothered enough by Metro, he/she will probably know that it can be deactivated, but that's not really something you want for an OS. By default, it should be optimal, and though that's subjective, as some people will probably be quite content with Metro, I just don't see it being a step forward in terms of productivity, and management for admins. Also, if we consider that a lot of people that use Windows products are employees that are given a computer at work, that's not really people you want to piss off. People that see the product at work and find it annoying to work on will not be tempted to buy it for their home use, even though it could probably be better for a home computer than a work computer. That said, I'll grant that it's rather unlikely that a company computer would get the upgrade to Windows 8 before a home computer.
its new memory management will allow it to do the same with less memory for better multi tasking as well.
i've already seen lots of improvements to the mobile features, such as the ability to tell windows to go 'low bandwidth' on certain internet connections and not others - so you can tell it to update away while at home, but use minimal data on your 3G/work internet, for example.
people need to realise that software updates (and new versions of windows) rarely have anything to do with performance. its features, or improvements to existing features.
I use my pc mostly for gaming...got a good rig for excellent gaming on a 1680x1050@120Hz monitor (no 3D, just over 60fps gaming :cool:). Upgrading to Win7 bit64 from xp 32bit was most definattly worth it and I know I'm not talking smack when I say I'm more expert than the average pc user...though I still can't find a reasonable motivation to upgrade. I guess I'll leave that to entusiasts... those guys who jerk off in front of bench numbers and the wizzards of the liquid nitrogen to which I humbly bow in respect :respect:
ive had win8 as a second boot a while and while initially anoying it ends up being win 7.5ish without metro ,i liked all the slight changes to copying files and what not, so id say it wouldnt offend a vista or win7 user to much, but damn xp owners are Not gona like it theyll spend 3 days trying to find the control panel:D
i look forward to their attempts to get us all to buy win 8 tho:) bit much poss
give up with the xp no way is that shit still doin anyone using it any favours:)
Everyone that wants to complain about the registry needs to talk the software developers that are creating the programs.
I actually bought my own copy of 7 as I didn't like the new partner terms and conditions, specifically the part where any and all software you get through partner channels they can force you to remove, or revoke the keys for at any time. I have been getting other hard copy software that I sell, or uhh trade...... since it is NFR.
Windows 8 will be like Vista in the aspect that people will need to get used to it, it is poised to be the next vista if MS pulls the same stunts they did by throwing out features in order to get it finished on time. The difference between Vista SP1 and 7 RTM was enough to make most people move, and even have MS give away free upgrades. really the issues that plagued Vista were due to lazy manufacturers that didn't bother writing drivers, or writing good drivers and software for it. I had my copy for at least 16 months before it hit the market, and if a company can't get off their ass and write a few MB of good code to at least get started in that timeframe they have issues unto themselves.
Metro is just one of Windows 8's features...