Consumer Reports: Just Stick with Windows 7 For Now

[ben850]

Besides a 2 minute tweak I did to get my start menu back, My win8 experience has been seamless coming from 7. All my old programs work, and all of the core system options are in the same locations.

This was also the first time I didn't have to install any drivers to make all my components work. Something win7 never was able to do..

 

[killerb255]

Having said all of this, here are some possible ways to resolve these issues:
1) Windows 7 succession: not much they can do about this--similar to going from XP to Vista, they did TOO good of a job with the predecessor.
2) Not intuitive: earlier versions of Windows 8 had a Start button, but went to the Start screen. That may be a start. People are visual--they want to SEE their options.
3) Schizophrenic: Having the tiled interface on the Desktop would have helped a lot, instead of having Windows 8 as "Windows 7 with a different Start screen"
4) Cluster****: Simple--make the "All apps" menu less of a clusterfuck and more accessible (like a right arrow or a down arrow to click on, much like WP7 or WP8), and just let users pin what they want to the main Start Screen.
5) Walled garden: Let's face it: Apple is successful. We don't have to like it, but it is reality. Microsoft's simply trying what works. As long as they don't totally abandon support for the traditional "application," we're fine.
6) Touchscreens: This is similar to when Vista was released and RAM wasn't as dirt cheap as it is now. There seems to be a correlation between Vista and the price of RAM plummeting like it did. Maybe the same will happen with touchscreens, and Windows 9 will probably reap the benefits.
7) RT vs 8: They should have stuck with the strategy that worked with x86 vs x64. There is no "Windows QW" or something that looks and acts like Windows 7, but only for 64-bit CPUs and has no 32-bit compatibility! They did it RIGHT with x86/x64. Why couldn't they have done something similar with ARM? Again, it may not be technically feasible, as emulating x86 or x64 on ARM could result in something horrendous...

 

[Wamphryi]

Windows 8 has run very well for me after a bit of tweaking but Win 7 required tweaking to when it first came out. It seems a shame that anyone who takes the time to sit down and writes a considered view that is supportive of Win 8 receives the thumbs down treatment. The thumbs down option is for comments that are pointless and ill considered. Win 8 supporters that write considered opinions are entitled to their view.

 

[LordConrad]

[citation][nom]bdcrlsn[/nom]There's a free program out there called ClassicShell that restores all Win7 functionality to Win8.[/citation]
The point is that you shouldn't have to fix something that you just bought.

 

[MarioJP]

deleted

 

[MarioJP]

Yes it's about progress, but progress from who's perspective? MS would have had a MUCH easier sell here if, instead of trying to force their userbase to use an unfamiliar GUI, they kept the interface everyone has grown used to and instead tried to better educate consumers about why the "under-the-hood" improvements matter to them. It should be no different from how the auto industry has educated consumers about even basic concepts of performance and efficiency alongside aesthetics. Where Microsoft screwed themselves here is that the Metro / Modern / Whatever-they-call-it-next UI is something they pushed out primarily for their OWN benefit, not that of their consumers. The mentality was essentially, "We have plans for a new ecosystem that will span across multiple device types, including our own touch-based hardware that we want to sell. Customers will eventually adjust around us whether they like it or not; we know better than they do." This is evident in their specific removal of the registy "hack" that allowed users to default to the original interface. They have actively taken steps to prevent consumers from using their computers in the way to which they've grown accustomed since Windows 95. Basically, instead of looking at what the market is demanding, Microsoft is trying to tell the market what Microsoft believes they should be demanding.

You could say the same thing about Google and Apple. In fact Apple can get away with a lot of things and people still would buy. Apple can do radical changes and people will still buy. MS barely touches this notion of trying something different and all hell breaks loose. The reality of any business is their bottom line. Truth of the matter i see more people with tablets and phones then people using their laptops and computers. Some claim to say that don't even need a PC anymore. MS is just trying to fit in with this crowd and they probably did thought about leaving Metro "optional" but then it would not sell one copy. If windows 8 was just another traditional OS what is the excuse now. Its Windows of the same 7 does what want it to do. I have run across people still clinging on to XP and giving them valid reason to jump to Windows 7 while Apple and google can do radical things with ease. This does sucks for MS. Its going to become the next RIM while google can change UI like one changes socks. Android has different version of the UI. Not one is the same and it is downright annoying. As for Win8. The desktop is still there just click the desktop tile and you there is really not hard. Linux is freaking hard but Linux can change its UI the way it pleases. What about the Ubuntu Unity. Yet people like it.

 

[mt2e]

You can tell Microsoft has been officially defeated on the win8 front because this articles comments are pretty much devoid of the usual Microsoft astroturf shills....lunch break?

 

[greenrider02]

I played with Win8... talked to my IT guy about it, etc.

I'm not sure what the criticism is for. Who upgrades right when a product comes out anyways? Lemmings, that's who, just like with Apple.

If you have Win7 already, of course you shouldn't waste money getting a new operating system.

If you're getting a new computer, there's not a good reason to not have Windows 8. If you have a touch based device, you should definitely have it. The touchscreen laptops are so smooth and easy to use now. Type on the keyboard, select things on the screen with your finger.


Is it so bad that they're keeping up with where technology is going?

 

[MarioJP]

Ever since i made the switch some of the windows Apps are very addicting and realized that the desktop applications are a lackluster. Sure good triple A games but not as addicting as these good mobile games in the store. I really hope this portion of it really takes off. Metro or modern UI does not bother me i find it more interactive. This is a change that most don't like but in this case change is good.

 

[bigdragon]

I had to buy a new laptop for my mom for Christmas. Her old one is failing. Unfortunately, I had a lot of trouble finding a Windows 7 one with decent specs. There seems to be a ridiculous price premium on Windows 7 machines. The new one is loaded with 8, but I'm going to have a driver disc and 7 install disc just in case. Way to give me more work, Microsoft. Thanks a lot ya jerks! Consumer Reports is spot on.

[citation][nom]mt2e[/nom]You can tell Microsoft has been officially defeated on the win8 front because this articles comments are pretty much devoid of the usual Microsoft astroturf shills....lunch break?[/citation]
Yep, haven't seen the usual shill posts for a couple weeks now. I'm so glad that stopped. They were really hitting this site hard. It was painful to read that stuff. Microsoft clearly knew they had a huge problem on their hands prior to launch.

 

[SirGCal]

[citation][nom]killerclick[/nom]This was by design. There was a simple registry hack in the first version that restored the Start Menu completely, but Microsoft actually made an effort to remove it. What they tried to do is force Windows users to use Metro, hoping that would lead them to other Windows devices with the Metro UI (phones, tablets, etc). Plus, Microsoft gets a nice 30% cut from all Metro app sales, so no wonder they were trying to kill the desktop as soon as possible.So happy they failed.I've tried every such program I could find, bought Start8 as well, and none of them work properly, all have various annoying issues. Besides, why do that at all? The only thing Windows 8 has over Windows 7 is faster boot time, and that's only noticeable if you use a spinning disk as a boot drive.[/citation]

And that's the whole problem.. it's all hype and forced opinions... no choices... And as long as they force the full-screen situations with the horrible desktop clutterish system of the UI, I don't care if it made my system 2x faster, I have no interest. I do software over three monitors with 30+ windows open at any given time. I think desktop icons are the dumbest thing ever done save the very few (recycle, computer, etc.) Honestly, I'd be more interested in multiple desktops as Linux/Unix does. And gimme back my line commands... Both are horribly useful!!! but no... But all that is another issue...

And ya, my W7 64-bit system boots in 6.8 seconds last time I put a stopwatch to it... Even if W8 was faster... uhh... so what?!? We're not talking going from 5 minutes to 10 seconds... If you're lucky, W8 will shave a few seconds off, if that. And if you're running magnetic storage and complaining about bootup times, you need to learn your prioritizes... AND, most importantly, if all we did was go "Wow, see how fast that boots!?!", then sure W8 is great... but we use our computers for other things... And in most cases, my rig never is turned off so really who gives a crap about the startup time anyhow? All of those heat cycles are actually bad for the hardware really. They do not consume that much power that you'd see a big difference with it on or off. I have 5 on all the time and 3 on demand. Now if I had them crunching SETI or something, that would be a different story but...

 

[Bloob]

Running Win 8 atm.

I still don't understand all the negativity. The worst thing I can say about it is that it is not considerably better than Win 7. Metro or Modern UI or whatever it is now, has its uses even on desktop, although they are few. I'd call it a good upgrade for anyone running Vista or XP, if their setup can handle it, though.

 

[Guest]

Anyone for Windows Xp 2nd edition?

 

[aceofpacific]

I can understand it may not be worth upgrading if you are running Win 7, but the $40 price tag and the performance gain compared to my 9 yrs old XP.....I am glad I made the switch. That being said, if I could have had Win 7 for the same price, likely I would stick with Win 7 (like most people here, I prefer the old UI with Start button/menu).

 

[belardo]

Microsoft owns only 20% of the total OS market share. (Desktops / tablets / phones)

Windows itself *IS* becoming irrelevant, hence this new business model of their app store and crappy metro interface. Their goal is to replace the Windows desktop interface with the Metro one... but somehow call it "windows" (There are no Windows in metro, just full screens)

 

[szalkerous]

Consumer Reports just gained points in my eyes.

 

[cookoy]

Based on this news article, CR throws in a lot of conditionals: if this or that, then either stick with win7 or go with win8. It's all about the hw, drivers issues, user preferences. And it doesn't totally rule out upgrading, just to hold off, like what most would recommend with a new version of windows: wait until sp1 is out.

 

[twelve25]

And I'd probably be able to intuitively figure out how to use the car, much like how you can figure out how to use windows 8.

That's the problem, you CAN"T intuitively figure out how to use windows 8. Who would geuss that to close a metro app that you move your mouse to the top of the screen, wait for it to turn into a hand cursor and then drag the app off the bottom of the screen? Who would just know that to shutdown the computer you have to move your mouse to the top corner, wait for a menu to pop out, slide the mouse down the side of the screen until the menu sticks, click settings and then there's the shutdown option. And say you launch an app, now how do you get back to that fancy "start" full screen page? Oh yeah, I have to find a secret pop up by holding the mouse in the very bottom left corner. Didn't they do ANY user testing? I mean you should have an interface where any idiot can figure out how to launch and close programs, Start was just there. Click on start, there's everything. Now it's hide and seek just for basic crap.

In the car analogy, it's like having a steering wheel that only appears when you stick your hand under the dash for 5 seconds and then the brake pedal requires waving your foot three times in a circle.

 

[Non-Euclidean]

[citation][nom]MarioJP[/nom]deleted[/citation]

Its a MS product, of course it needs to be fixed after its bought.

 

[Fokissed]

[citation][nom]belardo[/nom]Microsoft owns only 20% of the total OS market share. (Desktops / tablets / phones)Windows itself *IS* becoming irrelevant, hence this new business model of their app store and crappy metro interface. Their goal is to replace the Windows desktop interface with the Metro one... but somehow call it "windows" (There are no Windows in metro, just full screens)[/citation]
Phones and tablets can't be compared to Desktop PCs. No one pays for a phone or tablet OS. They are different markets.

 

[dimar]

[citation][nom]LordConrad[/nom]The point is that you shouldn't have to fix something that you just bought.[/citation]
If that was true, everyone would be using Internet Explorer

 

[richarduk]

Darkpriest667, if Windows 8 is so secure then how come the store apps have already been cracked wide open allowing you to unlock trial games?

Windows 8 will only sell because MS will not ship anything else and we have no viable alternative. Apple costs too much and Linux is not for noobs.

 

[apache_lives]

loving windows 8 along with everyone around me

haters can hate it wont make any difference

windows 8 is here to stay, its superior

live with it c:

 

[firstonevorlon]

It's impressive how much people can talk without knowing squat. I have a WP7.5 Handset and Windows 8 running on my rig and it's just simple and great to use. Windows 8 is fast, sleek, just install Classic Shell first thing right after you finish Windows Installation. Don't know where the start screen is??? Come on...... HIT the Windows Key + E and Explorer will pop up as you're used to in Windows 7, Vista or XP. You don't have to do anything else from that screen. On the same field where you see your C: drive, just type www.sourceforge.net and search for Classic Shell there. Download and install. Voilà, your glorious start menu is back and you can customize it quite a bit!!!!!!!!
Switching between both desktop and ModernUI is very simple and you have the added feature of the Microsoft Store where you'll find a truckload of FREE software in all categories.
If you are UNCAPABLE of switching between both desktop modes after that you seriously should have your brain checked or maybe get back to kindergarten.........
In case you have some weird app that won't run on anything but XP, great, you have FULL HYPER-V in Windows 8, which means you can install your XP virtual machine and do as you please with it. So here you go, almost 3 operating systems in a simple and easy way to manage.
As for those wishing for the death of Microsoft, ModernUI and so forth, good luck, have fun with your fruit hardware or malware prone Scroogle gadgets. I love to see people bashing Microsoft because of their security flaws and so forth...... And now they have a Scroogle gadget, with tons of extremely powerful malware lurking around.........

 

[2smart4u]

@Learn_w_Graffix you really shouldn't be helping anyone if you have no experience with a PC.. Move your mouse to the bottom left of desktop.. the Start screen flag will appear.. right click it and you find a menu more powerful then the start menu.
Honestly if you are going to be that stupid.. Google it.. cause clearly you lack the skill required to go it alone.

Honestly guy's read one article on windows 8 and you will be up and running in no time.. there are a whole list of keyboard shortcuts and easy tips out there.
I can't believe that all these so called computer experts can't figure out something so simple.. Just because it's new doesn't make it bad.. just because you are either to stupid, to lazy or to ignorant to figure something out doesn't mean it's bad.. and if you don't like the new version.. the solution is simple.. 1) stay with windows 7/XP/ME/VISTA/98/95/DOS.. or what ever you are into.. 2) switch to MAC and be a hipster douche like the rest of them. 3) switch to what ever flavor of Linux.. see how that works out for you.. 4) Just STFU and take it.. just like your Mom did..
Thumbs down away.. cause you don't want to hear the truth you just want to bi@tch and moan..