Windows 8 Consumer Preview

[BoringSupreez]

Everytime I hear more info on Windows 8, the less I want to ever use it. Seems like MS wants to blur the line between PCs and tablets/smartphones.

[Pulsar_t]

Insert Windows 8 vs AOL 1995 pic.
Still using XP (32 & 64) succesfully and a couple computers have 98 Lite and KernelEX.
Linux may be the best bet soon.

Two problems with XP
A) Lack of DirectX 11 runtimes.
B) Potential security issues.

[MrPopo]

The desktop is treated as an app and doesnt support a full blown taskbar either.

Taskbar seems pretty full featured to me.

I did a full install of microsoft office 2007 just to try it out and all components were spread out having their own tile. I found that pretty anoyying considering I wish they were group together to conserve some space.

That's mostly an issue between Windows 8 trying to do a best attempt at translating the old "install this directory structure to the start menu" to the folderless start screen. I suspect that will be much less of an issue once Windows 8 has been out for some time and people update their install scripts to detect for Windows 8 and proceed appropriately.

[Metal Jesus]

I'm glad Microsoft is willing to take chances with their OS. If they are going to compete with Apple's momentum, they need to be willing to change things up a bit. I wouldn't be surprised if in 5 years, most of the "computers" being sold to the average consumer... are tablets. And right now, that means iPad, so Microsoft is smart to make steps in that direction.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

I'm glad Microsoft is willing to take chances with their OS. If they are going to compete with Apple's momentum, they need to be willing to change things up a bit. I wouldn't be surprised if in 5 years, most of the "computers" being sold to the average consumer... are tablets. And right now, that means iPad, so Microsoft is smart to make steps in that direction.

Never said it wasn't smart. Personally I think Microsoft actually has a grasp of where the market is going and is actually being smart about it.

An OS that has an interface optimized for tablets but is also usable on the desktop, and can run all your old Windows software? I know loads of people that will love it.

Me though, I'll probably be sticking to traditional desktop environments as long as I can.

Though if I'm in the market for a tablet a Windows 8 one will be high up on the list.

[fastbilly1]

I finally downloaded and burned it, but due to family in town I have not had a chance to play with it yet. Ive heard mixed from my coworkers who have used it, but I am interested. Ive got a little 2.6ghz dual core with a express200 and 4 gigs of ram that is going to give it a run. If it doesnt work out, back to xp on that computer.

[casterofdreams]

I finally downloaded and burned it, but due to family in town I have not had a chance to play with it yet. Ive heard mixed from my coworkers who have used it, but I am interested. Ive got a little 2.6ghz dual core with a express200 and 4 gigs of ram that is going to give it a run. If it doesnt work out, back to xp on that computer.

I think your fine. This isn't Vista we're talking about here. I had Windows 7 Professional on a netbook with 1 gig of ram and the Intel Atom processor going at 1.6 GHz. I think they've learned their lesson.

[MrPopo]

I finally downloaded and burned it, but due to family in town I have not had a chance to play with it yet. Ive heard mixed from my coworkers who have used it, but I am interested. Ive got a little 2.6ghz dual core with a express200 and 4 gigs of ram that is going to give it a run. If it doesnt work out, back to xp on that computer.

I think your fine. This isn't Vista we're talking about here. I had Windows 7 Professional on a netbook with 1 gig of ram and the Intel Atom processor going at 1.6 GHz. I think they've learned their lesson.

It's designed to be able to run on ARM tablets, so you'll be just fine.

[Xeogred]

Insert Windows 8 vs AOL 1995 pic.
Still using XP (32 & 64) succesfully and a couple computers have 98 Lite and KernelEX.
Linux may be the best bet soon.

Two problems with XP
A) Lack of DirectX 11 runtimes.
B) Potential security issues.

Yeah, XP is terribad with B there.

I've been very happy with Win7. 8 looks straight up terrible to me, not touching it... literally?

[fastbilly1]

I finally downloaded and burned it, but due to family in town I have not had a chance to play with it yet. Ive heard mixed from my coworkers who have used it, but I am interested. Ive got a little 2.6ghz dual core with a express200 and 4 gigs of ram that is going to give it a run. If it doesnt work out, back to xp on that computer.

I think your fine. This isn't Vista we're talking about here. I had Windows 7 Professional on a netbook with 1 gig of ram and the Intel Atom processor going at 1.6 GHz. I think they've learned their lesson.

It's designed to be able to run on ARM tablets, so you'll be just fine.

Sorry for the confusion, I knew the hardware would run it decently, I was talking about how the "betaish" OS would run.