Another reason NOT to switch to Win 8

[Marc57]

It's easy to criticize something you're not willing to learn and stick too.
Eventually, there isn't going to be any choice.
Windows XP is going to fade out since it will no longer be supported or updated.

I'm still working with it bob,I've been using it off and on since the first release. I just can't get use to it. (and I've been using Windows since 3.1) I really think this is the biggest mistake Microsoft has made since M.E. But, That's just my opinion.

[AdrianH]

It's easy to criticize something you're not willing to learn and stick too.
Eventually, there isn't going to be any choice.
Windows XP is going to fade out since it will no longer be supported or updated.

If a new OS is not suited to your needs and features you want/need are removed then where is the problem criticizing it ? Microsoft are making much of the "we have listened to what users want" routine but clearly they have not , you only need to look around the net to see the amount of comment.  Win8 may well be great for mobile devices but work place desktops?

Why is it so many businesses are still not moving from Win 2000 or XP Pro ?  Large scale change costs time and money, if it works why fix what ain't bust?

"Eventually there will be no choice" ......... sorry but that blinkered view is very inaccurate, there are plenty of other choices out there and more people change over to those other OS's every day. Mac and Linux are growing all the time, I dual boot PCLINUXOS and it has got to the point now where I really no longer need Windows for anything, indeed many of the apps are now far and away superior to those on Windows.

If/when Win7 stops being useable I won't be buying Windows again.

[MAG]

I dual boot PCLINUXOS and it has got to the point now where I really no longer need Windows for anything

Same here. My two machines are dual booted with w7/Bun2 and xp/PCLOS. The linux distros provide all the software I need in the repositories - free, and always updated. I now rarely use windows.

It is unlikely I will ever upgrade windows on my machines.

[Dch48]

I have even less use for Linux than Win 8 and given the choice between those two, Win 8 would win every time. Having said that, I'm still sticking with Win 7. Also, XP may stop getting updates but that doesn't mean it will stop working.

[kls490]

Just my two cents worth here...

This topic has certainly generated a lot of lively and diverse opinions!

In my opinion, it's all about the "almighty dollar" with Microsoft...and quite frankly...many other major businesses as well!  It is also concerning that Microsoft apparently fails to adequately consider the diversity of all its product users.

Many users (like myself) are "up in years", so-to-speak.  In addition, in my own case, (due to serious medical issues), I had to leave the workforce earlier than I would have planned.  Now, having to subsist upon a very limited, fixed, disability income month-to-month, most certainly doesn't lend itself to my being able to just go out and acquire the latest "gadgetry"...like another computer, new OS, or some fancy new touchscreen.

For me...(barring Divine intervention)...I just have to hope the Win XP Pro I've used for several years now will keep going, even when MS support for it ends.

Regards,

[groze]

I have Windows xp sp3.
Windows 8,  what is exactly wrong with it?
Will Windows 8 be only available on mobile devices, another words not laptops or desktops?


Xplite may be working on 8lite. 

Windows xp will still work if Microsoft provides a download patch for not needing activation anymore like they promised.   

I am looking at a MAC in the future.   

[Dch48]

Windows 8 will be available for all hardware capable of running it. It just doesn't seem to be that friendly for a lot of desktop and even full laptop users. It certainly doesn't look friendly for PC gamers. It's interface is optimized for touch screens and tablets and smaller laptops. It can be made more mouse and keyboard friendly but that is not the default setup.

I just read a pretty good article on the difficulties Win 8 will face in being widely adopted.

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10things/10-hurdles-windows-8-must-clear-to-succeed/3269?tag=nl.e101

[bob3160]

I just read a pretty good article on the difficulties Win 8 will face in being widely adopted.

I don't have tyo go anywhere else, I just have to read some of the replies in here.
What I primarily read is that most people are afraid of change, even when it's for the better.
Good thing I was never considered as someone who needed to be lost in the crowd. 

[DavidR]

Change has nothing to do with it, I was actually looking forward to windows8, but the more reviews I read, the less impressed I was. I saw nothing worth paying for, no killer, must have functionality, just the same hype when MS bring out a new OS.

It is about what does it bring to the party that will benefit how people use 'their' systems. Trying to force things on people without any consideration of how people will use their system will meet with resistance.

I really am still waiting for MS to bring in functions that A) will improve how I use my system and B) are these new functions even going to be used. So I'm still waiting for what is better and do I need it.

[Coolmario88]

When windows 8 comes out I have have a new laptop computer would i like it? maybe   I am thinking windows 8 will be ok.

[DavidR]

When windows 8 comes out I have have a new laptop computer would i like it? maybe   I am thinking windows 8 will be ok.

If you have a laptop/tablet with a touch screen, I imaging the interface would be acceptable as it is on most smart phones, but on a desktop with a large (26" TFT) non-touch screen, totally different ball game.

[Coolmario88]

When windows 8 comes out I have have a new laptop computer would i like it? maybe   I am thinking windows 8 will be ok.

If you have a laptop/tablet with a touch screen, I imaging the interface would be acceptable as it is on most smart phones, but on a desktop with a large (26" TFT) non-touch screen, totally different ball game.

I have my old laptop still but i don't have a new one.. I meant to say "When windows 8 comes out I might have a new laptop" but i bet it will be awesome if i do get one next year. also i like touch screen computers but i could care less for them.

[groze]

After looking at the Metro screen shots it look likes an old redhat linux.   I don't think I would mine it.  Windows 8 uses two partitions it would be harder (Not impossible) to use dual booting to older or other operating systems.  I do wonder if you could delete metro ui partition & still use W8 Desktop UI.   From my understanding W8 Desktop UI, you can use it like you did with W7.   My main concern,  I want to be able to customize my system (Sounds, themes, etc).  I have tone almost everything down to dark or gray background fonts do to eye issues on my xp sp3 system.

[bob3160]

it would be harder (Not impossible) to use dual booting to older or other operating systems.

It's actually very easy - you choose a default which starts after a selected time frame or, select any of the others you've installed.
It's also easy to change the default OS.

I do wonder if you could delete metro ui partition & still use W8 Desktop UI.

No but one click on the "Desktop" app gets you back to the regular desktop that you're used too in a hurry.


@David,
On my 22 inch monitor, there isn't any problem using the mouse once I'm on the desktop.
The Metro UI is only used if you need quick access to any of the apps they represent. 
I don't have a touch screen and don't see any problems with using the mouse as I always have.

[Dch48]

If you read the article at the link I posted, I think the first and the last reasons given are the biggest problems for Win 8. The first one is the Metro interface which a lot of people dislike but the last point is I think the major one. It states that the biggest problem facing Win 8 is Win 7 because it is so good of an OS itself and everybody who has it likes it. Win 7 didn't face that obstacle since almost everybody had either skipped Vista or was looking for a way to get rid of it.

I don't like the way Microsoft is deleting features in order to make Win 8 run better on lower powered systems. I understand why they're doing it though. They don't want to get left behind in the perceived shift away from PC's to tablets and mobile devices. They don't want to be left with an OS that needs a full fledged PC to run it. I intend to always use a full power PC however so I feel Win  7 fills that need perfectly. I'm fully aware that Win 8 will be very robust and powerful on a PC but it will take too many workarounds and possibly third party utilities to make it look and work like I would prefer.  I have to say that I do like the recovery options given in Win 8 but that's the only thing.