Windows 8 is here, but will it be a success like XP or a Vista-style flop? Rather than entirely stick my head on the block let me say that I think Windows 8 will be at least a partial success - but it all depends on the hardware.
Windows 8 is fast and stable, but will it be a success?
Predicting the success or failure of a technology product is a tricky business. Trying to second guess the reaction to a new version of Windows is more difficult still.
Plenty of reviewers liked Windows Vista when first exposed to it. On a powerfully specified PC the updated design and new features seemed like worthwhile upgrades, UAC a sensible precaution.
Of course, Vista was a dog. But it took lots of users being forced to rely on it to pin-point the flaws. UAC was an irritant, not fit for purpose. The system requirements were ambitious, meaning Vista hobbled lower-specced PC s and laptops. And compatibility issues? How long have you got...
If Windows 7 was Vista done right, Windows 8 is only the second genuinely new Windows OS in 13 years. How will it fare?
PC Advisor editors have been using Windows 8 for months now in an attempt to get a true picture of its strengths and weaknesses. The response is mostly positive. Windows 8 is not without quirks and irritations, but for PC and laptop use the migration is smooth. Most people will spend most of their time in the Desktop mode, and may struggle to notice the difference. You get a little more zip as you browse, and there's no Start menu. And Windows 8 is stable. See also: Using Windows 8 on a PC: 10 things we've learnt.
Whether this means Windows 8 will succeed depends on the PCs, laptops and tablets on which it will run. Unlike Apple, which launches platforms on its own hardware, Microsoft has to trust Intel to make great components and then PC makers to use them and create interesting products.
Will Windows 8 be a success?
Windows 8 an OS of two halves. It is designed to be comfortable on desktop and laptop PCs that utilise mouse and keyboard, but also work well on touchscreen laptops, tablets and all-in-ones. As our feature 'What is 4G? A complete guide to 4G' shows we all now want to be able to access everything, everywhere. But even before the launch of the iPad mini relatively few Windows PC users utilised Microsoft software when they were on the move – Windows 8 is an attempt to redress that.
Microsoft needs PC makers to build products of various sizes and input devices. Get ready for thin and fast touchscreen laptops and tablets ranging in screen size from 5in to 25in and beyond. And expect to see slick living room all-in-one PCs gunning for the space occupied by your TV.
The Windows 8 laptops and PCs we have reviewed of late are a snapshot of those available as Windows 8 launches. They are not radically different to Windows 7 PCs, but already the signs are that computer makers are eager to embrace a platform that allows them to fight back against the smartphones and tablets that are eating away at PC sales.
Will Windows 8 succeed? It just might, although Microsoft will never dominate computing as it did when the desktop was king. The personal computing world is diversifying at pace, a process to which Windows 8 will only add. And if hardware manufacturers can stretch the platform to find the perfect products for sufficient numbers of PC, laptop and tablet users, Windows can be a big part of the computing world for a long time to come.
Comments
Matt Egan said: Im just not sure this is the piece on which to complain about Microsoft bashing And for the record lets lose once and for all the idea of journalists being on Apples payroll - Apple makes mostly great products that are loved be huge numbers of people The press it gets reflects that It doesnt even advertise in the tech press let alone pay journalists
Greg said: I find all the ongoing Microsoft Windows shredding rather entertaining It is obvious that many writers on the web are on the Apple payroll and many others just brainwashed Apple diehards Microsoft Windows has and still is the dominant Operating System in the computer world If you dont believe me check the stats To call Windows 8 a flop when it hasnt even been on the market is premature Maybe Windows Vista was a flop but many obviously still believe in Microsofts OSs otherwise Apple or Linux would dominate the market Microsoft is dominant in the software world and thats not going to change Apple fanatics can go on on about Apple but facts are the facts Just like those who think iPhone is the best smart phone If it was why does Android have 60 of the Smart Phone market By the way I have Windows 8 installed on one of my desktops and 1 of my laptops I love it I run two monitors on my desktop and no they are not touch screen However I find have the Metro amp Desktop very powerful and great for multitasking I also have over 80 programs installed on my Windows 8 desktop and do not have any software compatibility issues I had many more issues with Windows 7 The world of computing has changed greatly in the past few years Windows 8 is the operating system of the future For those who dont believe in Microsoft I beg you to check what is the dominate Operating System now in 6 months 12 months and so on It will be Microsoft as it has been for many years and MS is not going anywhere
Paul said: Computers should get easier to set up and use I hope we would all accept that I recently purchased a Windows 8 laptop for a family member The user interface is very confusing - I have to advise to use the start screen to start apps but to use the desktop to run them on Why should anyone need to understand this or have to be inflicted with it If you use IE 10 from the Start Screen - try printing from it OK - you can print from it but again confusing and quite a task but when you finally do print how do you select which pages to print - I cant see how off hand The email client - a noddy interface with no advanced options to set up the email comms so you can be unlucky if you cant easily set up your email but then in the contacts email groups are not supported Because my family member cannot use the IE 10 user interfaceand the email client doesnt do what she wants we have installed Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird but on a supposed state-of-the-art OS why shouldwe have to I support Windows systems for a living and on my first look at Windows 8 it appears to be inconsistent with settings still available in Control Panel but others in the settings off the charms bar As Ive read elsewhere this feels to me not ideal for either traditional laptopdesktop users or tablet usersIt makes me angry that Microsoft have come up with a product which from a usabilty point of view is so broken and I really fear for high street shops who are selling this I recently went into a well known high street store and the shop assistants didnt know much about Windows 8 so when customers come back to them what hope do they haveAnyhow in my job Im definately recommending to my employer that we skip Windows 8 just like we did Vista and I really hope that Microsoft can sort out this mess by Windows 9
Tommy ToXen said: Windows 8 sucks Telephones are used for making telephone calls I need a computer OS I dont want a stupid mobile phone OS like Winblows 8 on my PC I want a PC OS on my PCI formatted my harddrive yesterday wiping my Windows 7 disk clean Since Microsoft is no longer providing a PC OS I no longer have any need to use MicrosoftInstalled Linux Ultimate Edition and perfectly happy with itI use my telephone to make telephone calls and my desktop computer as a computerI do not wish to use my telephone as a computer I do not wish to use my desktop computer as a telephone I do not wish to use my toaster as a television and I do not wish to use my toilet as an electronic storage deviceWhile these big greedy fat cat corporations are going after little childish fads such as people using telephones as computers people like me who prefer a proper computer with proper power proper sound proper gaming are being pushed out of the marketWell I will NOT be forced onto sub-standard devicesYou CANNOT fit an Asustek Xonar Essence STX sound card into your mobile phone You CANNOT put an Ati Radeon HD7870 GDDR5 into a mobile phone Nor can you put in an Intel i5 3570k 35ghz Turbo Boost processor into a mobile phoneSo dont tell me having this Windows 8 on a tiny little touchpad screen is better than having a proper computerSub-standard sound sub-standard graphics sub-standard gaming sub-standard computingThe market is going BACKWARDS in technology not forwardsDont fix whats not brokeIll stick to my desktop thanks keep your stupid mobile phone OS Winblows 8People will just move onto a PC OS like Linux instead like I did
Tanzanos Eleytheros said: Windows 8 look like it was designed by FISHER PRICE
guest said: I got windows 8 and I like it You still get your desktop as normal before so no complaint Glad I upgraded
Matt Egan said: My answer would be the Desktop screen isnt like a mobile phone The Desktop environment is exactly like the Windows 7 desktop Windows 8 is not a touchscreen operating system - its an operating system that can be operated by touch but is also perfectly easy to operate with keyboard and mouse and touchpad touchmouse and all points inbetween I am writing this on a Windows 8 desktop PC and I dont expect Ill see the Modern UI at all today unless I need the Start menu which is now replaced by the easy to use Start screen Dont get me wrong Im no apologist for Microsoft or Windows 8 but we have to correct the misconception that the Modern UI is the principal interface for desktop and laptop users or that Windows 8 is a touchscreen OS Neither is true And with respect you may not use Facebook or play media via your PC and that is find But those are exactly the sort of things for which most people now use computers which is exactly why Microsoft had to change Windows
Matt Egan said: To be fair the vibe I get from Microsoft is that they arent pushing people to upgrade existing hardware But they didnt with Windows 7 particularly As I say its about new hardware
Bensam65 said: Windows 8 is not going to be a success like Windows 7 nor flop like Vista It will be average Windows 7 is fast and nothing to complain about it Windows 8 is also fast and increased the capabilities but from my view ther is no need to upgrade Windows Server 2012 is really awesome when compared to Server 2008 R2 and we are using it now So I guess most home users will stick on Windows 7