Windows 8

[Scrib]

I'm still waiting to get my new pc (hopefully suppliers open this week) but it just occurred to me that I know nothing about Windows 8.

Are there any major reasons I shouldn't go with Windows 8?
I'm still using XP and didn't ever try Vista or 7.

I plan to play mostly Guild Wars 2 and The Secret World, so hopefully there aren't any compatibility issues.

[Rumze]

I would stick with Xp or win7 . I hear windows 8 is really unpopular but not because of any issues , its just not that big an upgrade from 7 , and most of the upgrades is to give it that tablet interface look i believe.

A real techy guy/gal can tell you way more.

[Alirrin]

Actually there are many improvements from 7 to 8, but nearly all of them fall into two categories:  first, the UI changes for touch devices (which can be a bit jarring on a desktop with a large monitor, but can be ignored for the most part if you don't like them), and second, back end stuff that you won't really see but will notice in things like boot up speed, recovery from errors, and general performance.  I do recommend Windows 8 on a new PC, and even upgrading older ones. 

And GW2 runs just fine under it. ;-)

[Scrib]

Great! Thank you both for the replies.

[Namae Nai]

*sneaks in*

I would be really remiss if I didn't post this rebuttal. 

It's not really as bad as all that, but the touch screen enhancements can be jarring if you are used to a mouse. He has a big point about the broken continuity, though. Being forced to arbitrarily switch gears on the Metro screen versus the desktop folders is kind of a dumb idea that Microsoft was forced to do because they want to make this OS work for so many different interfaces.

Anyway...

*sneaks out to lurk*

[PinkRose]

Namae, I <3 you!

[Talon]

I was not planning to post to this thread as I look at Operating Systems from a different perspective but I'll add my thoughts now, anyway.

Windows 8 is too specialised a product to interest me. It may work fine once you get used to it but without significant updates (such as making that touch-screen interface completely optional, never to be seen again if so desired) it is trying to be trendy but just feels clumsy. It is likely fantastic for a tablet but even a touch-screen PC the touch-screen is an option. A touch interfact is a nightmare from an ergonomic perspective.

Windows 8 also has no place in a professional market. It is for home users only. While it may support the ability to join a Windows domain and so on, it is clearly not designed with a professional workstation environment in mind.

That being said, we're talking about use for home and gaming. I have no experience with Windows 8 in that regard but my impression of a clumsy interface remains and the idea of using it, even at home, puts a sour taste in my mouth.

[Alirrin]

Obviously, everyone has their own experience and taste, but I don't find the interface as clunky as you seem to.  Yes, you do have to click the "desktop" icon after logging in, but once you do that, you never have to look at the Win 8 interface* again if you don't want to. I personally like the Live Tiles for at-a-glace view of number of new emails, unread articles in my RSS reader, current weather, and so on.  I also love the synchronization between devices, so that I have a very consistent experience between my PC and my tablet.


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* formerly known as "Metro", but no longer due to trademark issues in Europe