Windows 8

[WoobieZarz]

So anyone got it/using it, or looking to get it?

I've just recently gotten a new notebook for work (Dell XPS 12 - touch screen which converts to notebook and tablet), and have installed win8 on it, which has been fun.
Only just installing MS Office today, and trying to get it configured to replace my currnet machine, but should have it up and running end of this week.

Googling my arse off trying to find solutions to things tho, like my notebook actually starts up on the Desktop instead of Metro now! And I'm in need of a file browser App, as opposed to the desktop variation.

Interested to see if anyone else is using it.

Side note, Win8 is EXTREMELY CHEAP! Around $50 buckets!

 

[Lazlow]

Haven't used it but can't say I'm overly enthusiastic about it.

I understand they're trying to create a cross platform OS that transitions seemelessly between Mouse and Touchscreen, but its a square peg into a rectangle hole.

Just as a desktop UI is cumbersome on a tablet, the Metro UI tiled interface is a needlessly cumbersome layer over a perfectly functioning desktop.

 

[WoobieZarz]

Yeah at first, I was against it, and from a business perspective, I'm against rolling it out in the masses here in the office. I needed it to test, and we also needed to make sure our clients can use Win8 if they wish. Compared to the previous Vista and Win7 touch devices, I must say it's a lot better. I even installed Win8 on a 7 tablet here, and it's functioning a lot faster, and smoother. Boots up like a treat too!

But, at the end of the day, it's not an iPad, and a PC will always be best used with a mouse, etc.

In saying that though, I've used my XPS via the tablet set up, and even my normal Windows desktop seems to function better (than Vista & 7 versions). It's very direct and responsive and I don't need to tap more than once or twice to get it to work. I havent tried the handwriting to text yet.

The Metro UI is pretty boring, IMO, and I'm not much of a fan for the "square" app tiles, hopefully there's a way to give them some rounded corners, etc. Folders would be very hand too, but hopefully if I can find a propery file explorer "app", I might be able to achieve what I want to do there. One of the down sides, is that the Metro UI is simply a portal to all the Windows Programs (say Word 2010, etc). Whereby, even if you're in Metro, and you tap the app tile, it takes you to the Windows Desktop, then launches the program. I believe Office 2013 will have app based support, as well as desktop programs.

 

[Lazlow]

Its funny, despite my criticisms I'm actually planning on switching from Android to Windows Phone 8.

 

[WoobieZarz]

Yeah?? I used to have a Windows phone (original Sony Ericsson Xperia), then went to Android, and now iOS, and I've always said I'd never try a new Windows phone. Just feel they're a bit crutty.

 

[Lazlow]

Heh I went the other way, iOS > Android > WP8

Read a lot of positive things about WP8, it's by no means an android or ios killer, merely an alternative, but I'm partially bored with android, tired of weak manufacturer support, and sick of it's instability.