Will You Upgrade to Windows 8?

Without a doubt on my desktop, it's the perfect PC for Windows 8. It's been for all intents & purposes my default OS since installing it. When I'm running Windows 7 on it, my CPU usage is averaging around 80% at all times (usually higher), RAM at 60%. If I run XP Mode, the PC is practically screaming. Note that it has an anemic 1.5GHz dual core CPU & 4GB DDR2 RAM.

Since I installed Win 8 CP, it's on cruise, even with whatever necessary Windows services are running, and Avast Internet Security 7 as my security solution, with a trial of the active MBAM running. Windows Defender has been turned off. I chose Avast over ESET Smart Security 5, which is on my other Windows installs for one reason: It's SafeZone browser. Being that it's a beta, I need the protection of a sandboxed browser to make transactions. Better to be safe than sorry.

And even more, I have a usable desktop in half the time vs Windows 7 or XP. Windows 8 CP is producing Linux desktop ready times. Not bad, for a week old OS.

Check this screenshot out of the CPU/RAM performance:

Screenshot (4).jpg

Windows 7, not even close to conserving resources. Windows 8 will be the perfect OS for many of the low powered PC's, notebooks & tablets on the market. Note that this is an all-in-one PC. These PC's are now on a roll.

More than likely, after the OS becomes RC, I'll probably install it on my notebook (my main computer) also, as a dual boot. I'll just have to get rid of that 100MB partition, and format the space prior to the install, so that 8 CP won't create that 350MB system partition. Being that I have a recovery partition installed, I would have 4 primaries, so I need to address that issue.

And just think, if this runs this fast on an old, wore out WD 400 40GB HDD that I bought used on eBay for $10, what would it do on a SSD? The thought just sends shivers down my spine. These are the specs of the HDD that it's running on now, a HDD designed for Windows XP/2000:

Link Removed due to 404 Error

I knew that it ran at 7200rpm, but a 2MB cache? Most of my other HDD's have a 32MB cache.

EDIT: I just checked, it was built in January 2006, it's been powered up 3663 times & has ran for 248.3 days. Still running good, just a bit of vibration, that's to be expected of a 6 year old HDD that's been booted that many times.

Cat
 
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I've already started using win 8 as my default os.. In short I love it.. Ok it still needs work but to me the metro section is just like a huge start menu or all programs section. After a few days of messing I got stuff to where I wanted it and I love how you can track back and forth without having to close stuff down. Don't get me wrong I love win 7 too but a few more tweaks here and there and win 8 will be simply awesome. Oh and I just love the way the visuals, games and GUI seem to have a real zing to them. I'm not sure if this down to the WDM 1.2 driver that comes with win 8 and the later cards (AMD -5000/6000 series and onwards) but it simply looks gorgeous... Boot up times are freakishly fast too.. Keepers for me. :) Oh I forgot to mention Task manager.. Wow it's now even more useful! :)
 
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I've installed it on my notebook (the computer listed in my specs), it's running quite well. There are a couple of issues that needs to be resolved, mainly the lack of DYNAUDIO not working. Probably any fix will come from MSI, as it's an OEM installed feature.

Windows 8 CP, for it's young age, is more than what I expected.

Cat
 
I must admit that at first I hated the new Start menu and resulting apps page. Now I've had time to play with it and understand it I love it. I know one can download a mod to return the start orb but I prefer the new system. I just find it easier to use with less clicks to get to where I want to..
 
I ran the DP from mid-September 2011. Messed w/ it sporadically. Since 29/2/12 have been solidly w/ Windows8. To little time to learn it, personalise it. I'm running dual-boot w/ Windows7, both x64. The Start is of little concern... I boot to the Desktop... have customized start but visit it rately. The lack of old start menu & windows orb is meaningless. Navigating Win8 is smooth, easy, convenient & quick. Moussing, rather than Touch, goes just fine. There are some ok Features, particularly like Ribbon in Windows Explorer windows, what is in FILE & that access to Event viewer, cmd, cmd as Admin, is all over the place. Search is very cool, especially typing to open real estate on Start to search. I will say, emphatically, Keyboard shortcuts & Quick Launch make life w/ Windows8 much nicer than otherwise.

As for performance, it is stunning!! RAM usage is low. CPU usage is low. Speed & snappiness impressive. So far, I have hit not snags or glitches, except for once the screen saver got stuck. I have discovered any software or hardware issues. No 'installation' of any devices was needed, Windows8 took care of everything all by itself w/ immediacy @ the onset. It does do some neat & helpful things. I'll end this diatribe by using some unexpected adjectives... I have been using various Windows OSs for a long time. I'm actually in IT & have worked on many machines & done many installs. I beta-tested Vista & Windows7... they were not as refined, @ the beginning of the Betas as Windows8 Beta is. The APPs are another story...seem noticeably unfinished. The install time on Windows8 is the fastest I've ever seen @ about 10-15 mins. But, back to the adjectives... the point was, after other OSs to compare & in mind, Windows8 just has this calm, relaxed, quiet, happy feel about it. You are welcome to try to figure out what I mean... techno jargon doesn't express it.

Because of all of the above & more, I find Windows8 fun, enjoyable & technically impressive. How it will be received is hard to say. The design goal were ominous & probably have been achieved. The compatibility base is huge. The resource requirements are tiny, resource usage is low. The under-the-covers Features for enterprise are outstanding. It's the most secure & fastest booting OS, ever. I either see extreme balking or marked excitement. Getting End Users past the learning curve will be the challenge. Once you found a comfort zone, some understanding, a degree of competency, it is/can be a very pleasant, pleasing & interesting experience. It is different but, @ least, equally dynamic.

Drew
 
I must admit that at first I hated the new Start menu and resulting apps page. Now I've had time to play with it and understand it I love it. I know one can download a mod to return the start orb but I prefer the new system. I just find it easier to use with less clicks to get to where I want to..
I didn't like it at first either. What I at first done was looked for software that would give me a "classic" Windows Desktop. I found a couple, but they only worked with Windows 8 DP.

After reading an article on AnandTech, it helped me to understand the Windows 8 CP better, and I became more comfortable with it.

AnandTech - Windows 8 Consumer Preview: The Four Corners

This is where, after reading all of the posts, I discovered that Windows 8 CP does have a Start Menu (many users feels that there isn't one), and how to use it. Google & Bing can be your friends when searching for answers on most any subject, that's where I normally look before requesting assistance on forums. Usually, many users questions/concerns are already answered. The user just has to look.

Cat
 
I won't (@ this point in time, almost refuse to) address the Start debate... there's really no need nor really any subject matter. I will suggest that much as I agree, navigating Win8 can be easy & nice... the addition of Quick Launch helps immensely!!

Drew
 
Agreed on the Start debate.. :)

I've also found Windows Explorer has become far more of a friend now than it ever was in previous incarnations of windows.
 
The article Cat posted showed mini headings in the Start:

Capture.JPG

I thought wow.. Even better so then spent a few minutes fumbling around until I discovered how to do it.. Awesome, this means the Start menu can be refined even further.. Here's my quick go:

headings.jpg
 
There are so many ways. This one has little on Start but heaps of fingertip access on Desktop

Screenshot (3).png

Capture.PNG & WinX, of course :)

Drew
 

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What's the rush?!

My machines have ran like beasts for several years now. So when the demand hasn't changed, the supply shouldn't either.
 
The demand will change, when users see that Windows 8 can do what Windows 7 can do with much less power. Right now, on Windows 8 CP, as I'm typing this post, my CPU meter is setting on 8%. That's with a full security suite running, Firefox running, plus whatever other processes Windows has going on. It fluctuates between 5 & 35% CPU usage.

Using Windows 7, I was lucky if it idled at 60%, much less be typing a forum post. Usually, it ran at 80% or more, & XP Mode made both the CPU & RAM peg to it's max. Not to mention the fan screaming all of the time. On lower spec PC's, Windows 7 is a resource hog, just as Vista is. I know, because both are on my Caviar Black (I have 3 HDD's for this PC), side to side, neither one runs faster or better than the other. Windows 7 looks a bit better, but that's it.

However, on my higher powered gaming notebook, there's not much difference between the two, as far as resource consumption goes. But Windows 8 CP boots faster, and runs faster.

Come later this fall, the demand will change, because Windows 8 computers will be the only ones available, once the leftovers of Windows 7 ones are gone. Probably sometime this summer, production of Windows 7 computers (except custom orders) will cease. So the customer will have no say in the matter, unless he/she wants to buy a Windows 7 install disk from Newegg or other eTailer. And even then, that will only be an option for so long, just as it was for XP users.

Cat
 
So when the demand hasn't changed, the supply shouldn't either.

Well IMO demand has changed. Small form factors are now in vogue and MS needed an os to fill the void. The truth is Windows 7 just doesn't run that well on these new machines with tiny CPU's...
 
Well IMO demand has changed. Small form factors are now in vogue and MS needed an os to fill the void. The truth is Windows 7 just doesn't run that well on these new machines with tiny CPU's...
Which exactly describes my situation with my desktop PC. The AMD Athlon X2 3250e is a microprocessor, not a powerhouse, nor even a mid-level CPU. Mine is the 1st one listed with the "energy efficient" processors.

List of AMD Athlon X2 microprocessors - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Windows 8 CP makes far better use of this CPU than Windows 7 does, by far.

Cat
 
"Windows 8 CP makes far better use of this CPU than Windows 7 does, by far."


Cus it's hardware requirements & resource demands are low.
 
"Windows 8 CP makes far better use of this CPU than Windows 7 does, by far."


Cus it's hardware requirements & resource demands are low.
I hope that it remains that way. If it does, that's one reason for many users to upgrade. Many of those really small PC's were sold, about the size of a large router with an antenna sticking up from them. These type of computers can benefit from Windows 8, as their CPU's are similar to mine, or in the same family, microprocessors.

Cat
 
The demand will change
Well IMO demand has changed. Small form factors are now in vogue and MS needed an os to fill the void. The truth is Windows 7 just doesn't run that well on these new machines with tiny CPU's...
I was referring to my own situation. Mainly why I can't see the need in chasing the "OMG Teh Latest Eva" style bandwagons.

I'm not sure what "truth" you refer to. Win7 is viagra for old/low-powered machines. I could FINALLY ditch a decade-old OS, and enjoy all the latest eye-candy, while keeping/gaining performance. Ability to do much more than ever thought-of on that hardware.
 
Win7 is viagra for old/low-powered machines. I could FINALLY ditch a decade-old OS, and enjoy all the latest eye-candy, while keeping/gaining performance. Ability to do much more than ever thought-of on that hardware.

I couldn't agree more but as Cat pointed out I meant the very small CPU's such as ARM and the like..
 
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