Lenovo First Major PC OEM to Bundle Third-Party Windows 8 Start Menu

btarunr · Aug 23, 2013

It's been a long time coming, sensing market resistance to the Start menu-devoid Windows 8, Lenovo became the first major PC OEM to bundle a third-party Start menu emulation software with its PCs. The company is bundling SweetLabs Pokki custom UI suite, which adds a Start menu to the Windows 8 taskbar, and lets you boot the operating system straight to desktop, pole-vaulting the Start screen. Pokki may come pre-installed, or the bloatware disc might have its installers. Lenovo plans to give away Pokki with most of its ThinkPad, IdeaPad, and IdeaCenter products. As the single largest PC OEM, Lenovo's move to bundle such software could force Microsoft to sit up and take notice of what the market wants.

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Shou Miko · Aug 23, 2013

hmm it looks a little too Lenovo and less useful :laugh:

MT Alex · Aug 23, 2013

Too bad they didn't bundle a Stardock product.

buggalugs · Aug 23, 2013

Its pretty serious when a computer does something like this. Windows 8 is affecting sales because people just don't like it. People want their traditional desktop.

I don't know why Microsoft cant have an option for traditional or modern UI.

remixedcat · Aug 23, 2013

That is so gawdy and too android looking for windows 8.

At least bundle Classic Shell and use the Windows 8 theme for it. This doesn't even look that much like the windows 7 start menu and nearer to XP or KDE.

craigo · Aug 23, 2013

It reminds me alot more of unity than android or K desktop. I do like it though.

Prima.Vera · Aug 23, 2013

buggalugs said:
I don't know why Microsoft cant have an option for traditional or modern UI.

Because Ballmer is just plain idiot, or he is intentionally on a crashing course with Microsoft. He is doing huge "mistakes" one after the other, just like the other idiot who took Apple leadership. The world needs some new great visionaries like Bill Gates or Steve Jobs...

Solidstate89 · Aug 23, 2013

It's glorified ad-ware. Look at all those "apps" it wants you to install. This is the same OEM shitware they always bundle, just in the guise of a Start Menu replacement.

Sasqui · Aug 23, 2013

LOL, I *still* don't see the "Run..." command.

And when are they going to re-instate the windows explorer search options that were in XP, so you don't have to look up help online everytime. :shadedshu

jboydgolfer · Aug 23, 2013

Windows 8 is a TRULY poor release. FanboY's be damned, U know it's true, it is disliked across the MAJORITY of PC users, and takes either a blind follower to like it, or a total yuppie to get it, SIMPLY because it's new.

Wake Me when they bundle it with a Copy of a PROPER follow up to 7.

Octavean · Aug 23, 2013

The first OEM provided / included Start Menu replacement I recall hearing about came from HP and that was a while ago,........

So this is a bit confusing IMO. Who did it first?

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&docname=c03557078

The Arstechnica artical is claiming some issues with it:

“Start menu” on Lenovo Windows 8 PCs will nag you to install apps
It looks kind of like a Start menu, but it's really an App Store

Rhyseh · Aug 24, 2013

Under the hood win 8 is a good OS. However there is a very good reason why we downgrade every new pc from win8 to win7. No one likes the confusing interface and unclosable "apps" it directs you to...

remixedcat · Aug 24, 2013

Sasqui said:
LOL, I *still* don't see the "Run..." command.

And when are they going to re-instate the windows explorer search options that were in XP, so you don't have to look up help online everytime. :shadedshu

Deadlyraver · Aug 24, 2013

Well, they are ahead of the other partners when it comes to forecasting the amount of W8 haters XD.

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Lenovo First Major PC OEM to Bundle Third-Party Windows 8 Start Menu

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