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
So as a network administrator I have to shut off the the features of Win8 (if I choose to upgrade) because I don't need app integration, media use or social networking on my domain? how does that benefit me at all? Why would I even consider this OS for my work networks over XP or 7?
Given everything I've read on the OS and what I do on my own computer I don't see any real reason to embrace this OS at all.
While the OP does not cover all potential usage of the OS, I hardly see it as a hate/hit piece.
If you do use any of the new metro apps the whole tombstone (suspend) thing takes a bit of getting used to, but the windows+tab task switching between them is kind of cool (or hold the mouse on the left side of your screen to get a preview of what you're switching to). Doesn't work with legacy applications though.
A lot of the new metro style menus look great, and you can tell they would look great on any screen too, whether a 7" or a 70", fonts seem to be really well done. If you use the metro control panel to change your desktop wallpaper the new image browser is pretty nice.
I'll admit I prefer a start menu over the "start screen", but start search still works just as before (looks different but same keystrokes), the only thing really bothering me right now is it seems like you need a mouse to shut down (the only way I've figured out how is by mousing to the bottom left, click settings, then shut down on the menu on the right.
Also a note to anyone trying it out on an AMD graphics card - the Win7 catalyst driver + CCC seems to work fine, the Win8 one does not come with CCC (or whatever it's called now) and if you manually install the Win7 CCC it does not work with the Win8 driver.
I guess this what I'd term as idiotic. Spending on something that doesn't offer anything new to the users is plain nonsense.
Metro should have been on the Win8 Tablet edition or whatever they wanna call it. There should have been better improvements on the Windows 8 like an integrated App Launcher(QuickSilver for Mac), a newer UI(a usable one at that), a lighter WMP, an integrated download manager, a built in dictionary, a hardware monitor, etc etc etc.
Only good thing about Windows 8 is its Memory usage as of now.
If it's easy to network all of your devices in your home, say stream from your PC to your TV over the Xbox, keep your phone up to date and synced while at home and even integrate better with Ford's Sync (Microsoft!) it could be a really, really cool thing. I'm sure the RC of Win8 will have options to disable Metro during installation. Relax, kick back and see what the future holds, people.
but this is actually good news to me because i feel like windows 7 with stable enough to stick to for a long time like i did with XP
Its a step in the right direction.
[On a seperate note, I think Win7 will be a favorite for enthusiasts for a long time to come]
-A couple of days ago, a friend asked me to send him a text message. Seconds later, a very natural voice, reads out the written message. No robot or virtual nuances, just a voice with perfect diction.
-On another meeting I witness how several adolescents take turns to compete on a Kinect dance game. The interesting part is how their moves are remotely tracked and how they remotely select options to navigate menus with simple hands/arm movements.
I certainly expect Windows 8 to allow for physical remote controlling most of the programs I use, and to integrate that with voice recognition/control (the way parrot nowadays does in cars). I'd like to walk around my office while dictating whatever I'd like to write and also permitting fast internet navigation... freed from a mouse or a keyboard.
Team those long promised advances with already ubiquitous touch commands... and then customers will have the URGE to move to Windows 8 for use at the office, homes and most everywhere really.
If Microsoft and Intel are not already heavily investing their best techs and big money in this, they'll soon be losing the race.
Those three new controlling ways (remote, voice, touch) are defining big advances already coming out... and are going to drive those firms who want to be part of the enormous technological and scientific change taking place in most any area.
(Did anyone saw the remote controlling teamed with holograms recently shown?)
Ok, possibly at 2012 Windows 8 wont provide all these functions, but I hope it lays the needed basis, so I am able to later buy Kinect 2 plus install the able GUI upgrade, all into an OS that does it efficiently from start.
I already run on W7 64 bits and if Microsoft don't deliver this time. Apple or Android surely soon will... Everyone really, the only real remaining question is time, When?
W8 sales and adoption rates will depend much on the answer to this question.
NOt bashing anyone here, but the traditionnal "workstation" desktop for powerusers is a declining trend, including games.
I usually wait about 1 years when a new windows comes out in the market before i buy one , i always wait for the patch/SP1 or bugs to get fix which take M$ about 6 months to a year to get it right or more stable & all...
So for me no windows 8 until 2013
One thing that bugs me is... why still make a stupid 32bit OS , WHY???
If we want to have real progress in 64bit software & games it would be time to "enforce" that buy making 32bit OS obsolete , time to move on.. IMO
NFD, and further integration into making your life easier doesn't sound good?
Many other companies are looking for the integration solution. Google search maps to a new restaurant and have it appear in your phone as you leave, and it automatically starts playing the music where you left off at home by streaming it across the net over your car stereo, while getting traffic and weather updates for your route, while the baby sitter watching your kids gets shut down from watching more adult oriented content?
Or how about you shutoff the Xbox as your kids try to play games and are up too late as it links to the desktop across the network and their home profile has enforced media and time restrictions?
Memory is getting larger on phones and other mobile devices, but data is getting larger too. 32GB doesn't go as far as it used ti with 1080 video, and 8MP cameras, but auto sync across the net or wireless or any access point to your home computer and not only do you have a backup, but also access, and now add the cloud as a smart most frequently used item backup/storage/personal share point?
All the things that are going to happen, and almost everyone wants it to happen, but its just who gets there first, and who does it best.
Is there a way to shift my C drive programs to my E drive and then automatically transfer them back to C when I have windows 8 installed?
"Notebook makers plan to employ touch panels for ultrabooks to accommodate new features in Windows 8"
www.digitimes.com/news/a20111207PD204.html
"Although Microsoft has not yet fully released its plans for image formats in Windows 8, the company's recent acquisition of Skype is expected to become an important part of the new ecosystem as the company might expand the connection from smartphone to living room televisions through the new operating system
www.digitimes.com/news/a20111207PD220.html
We even had access to MS engineers for the install and during install and testing for 3 days. Almost all windows drivers work, except a few for me like CCC drivers didn't want to play nice with my custom BIOS and afterburner. I didn't spend alot of time with it, just enough to learn it and give feedback, then a bit of testing some apps they were working with.
Hell I'm more than tempted now! One more thing, is the windows 8 dev preview anything like the windows seven leaks and I need to download new versions or will it update it's self?
As I downloaded the preview as soon as it came out I just never got round to doing it :laugh:
Much like the Windows 7 betas there will probably be some hacks so you can get your stuff off, but there isn't the possibility to upgrade from the BETA to RTM or retail versions planned. So a clean install will have to be done later.
I finally moved away from Vista X64 as my primary OS when I upgraded to my SSD drives and I moved all my steam games and many other programs to the 6TB drive and simply double clicked the exe and if they were missing stuff they either downloaded it from the net or used the existing files to correct their installation, and even a quick copy of my personal folders resulted in all my savegames being present (almost). Steam and Origin should backup your savegames dammit.
Love it when fiddling/haxoring but hate it for having to install stuff over and over.