Windows 8 Beta (Consumer Preview) first impressions

[Sunius]

The Consumer Preview can be installed on an MBR partition. I have 2 laptops and a virtual machine that confirm it. How big was the drive you were trying to install the Beta on?

The drive itself is 1 TB, and the partition I tried to install it to was 100 GB. When I plugged in additional hard drive, I had to delete all the partitions so it would let me install windows on it.

Most of this has to do with the Metro apps (think about how Facebook and other social networking sites operate, and how they get their data. You get asked this stuff all the time) and how they will work once the OS hits RTM and everyone gets their hands on it. Microsoft already asks these types of questions in the CEIP (Customer Experience Improvement Program) in Windows 7 and prior, they just don't word the questions this way. If you're really that concerned, just opt out of it and move on.

What concerns me is that there are things to that running on my computer, even if I opt out of it. It means more memory and processor usage, which, isn't good thing at all. Also, the default setting should be off, because, most (read: not all) users will just ignore those messages and press next next next so they finish the installation faster.

These are Metro apps that were included as part of the Customer Preview. On the desktop, you do NOT have to use them (nor would I recommend using them for any length of time. They don't work very well unless you're using a tablet or other touch oriented device).

I liked PDF viewer. Though, still, the programs are installed on the computer, and it feels like I just have to log in to confirm who I am? It's like DRM on some steam game, just on much much bigger scale.

It's the new buzz word. Apple uses it everywhere and no one seems to be complaining. But when Microsoft does it, suddenly it's a problem?

Sure, apple might have used it (I don't know that, never had an apple device), but I think it doesn't fit at all for windows.

No idea what you're talking about here. The X is still present in everything except the Metro apps. Metro apps don't get closed though. To back out of a Metro app, click and hold on the top of the screen and drag the window to the bottom of the screen. Release the mouse button and the app will move into the background. Windows 8 will automatically close the app after a period of inactivity, or when the resources it is using are needed for other programs.

Weren't 'metro apps' the only programs that were installed in the OS apart from IE10? Then, if I am not supposed to use them, shouldn't OS give us basic applications for everyday tasks without the need for installing them from third party vendors?

Microsoft is tying all of these services together. It started with Windows Phone 7, and now all of their major platforms are being updated to tie into each other. It's not advertising per se, but if you don't like it, unpin the Xbox stuff from the Start menu.

Cool, I didn't know I could unpin them. Yet, they expect their customers to use their other services, like windows phone or XBOX, but let's be honest, how much percentage of windows users use that? 2%? maybe 5%?

After using this in a VM and 2 laptops over the last 24 hours, I can assure you that this will work quite well on a desktop or laptop. This is not being developed purely for touch devices, where desktops / laptops are being ignored. Microsoft wants people to get used to this type of interface, so they all but removed the desktop / laptop elements of the UI in the Dev Preview. Now they will gradually add everything back in so that we get a completely functional OS that works on both platforms (although I would like to see an option for the system not to throw up the Metro Start menu when I am booting up a desktop or laptop. Going straight to the desktop would be much more preferable).

Let's hope so!

 

[alexpalka23]

so far im loving windows 8... i have to admit, at first i thought i would hate it from what i saw, but i must say, im a bit taken aback and totally had to eat my words. i love it and i cant wait for the final release.

Only thing im somewhat nervous about is trying it on the gaming pc i have. ill probably try it on a second hard drive or something and see how it goes, and will definitely wait for the final release until i make it my main pc's main o.s.

 

[gmaster456]

Still doesn't make much sense from a business standpoint. I don't care if I'm beating a dead horse, give us an option to disable metro in the professional and enterprise editions. And yes, I have used Windows 8 extensively and am not basing my opinion off of 5 minutes of use. Business users and employes aren't going to want, or even be able to memorize a bunch of keyboard shortcuts in order to use the OS efficiently with a mouse and keyboard. The desktop mode is Ok but I hate how they try and get you to a have to go back to the metro interface as much and as often as possible.

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

Ok, so I'm typing from the Consumer Preview now. As an IT pro, initial thoughts were that I hated the metro interface. I think now after making myself use it, Metro is great for tablets. However, I've honestly spent a good deal of my time trying to get the traditional Start Menu back. Which is possible using an application called ViStart. That said, it makes Windows 8 feel more natural.

What I would like to see in the final release is for Microsoft to allow desktop and laptop users to have an install that is basically a clone of Windows 7 if they choose. While I understand that metro is cool, let's be real, the metro interface is not really condusive to those with a keyboard and mouse. If you are using a tablet, GREAT IDEA. If you are using a desktop with a touch screen, that's cool no problem. But the thing is in a work environment, people need to simply be able to get things done, not play with metro. I think even if a user chooses to have a Windows 7 style experience on Windows 8, they could put a shortcut for metro out there to where you can still access those apps and work with it, I think the two can coexist, but I do not think users should be forced into the new interface. Also a lot of older people buy computers maybe not knowing any better, and I can see metro being VERY confusing. The first time I actually messed with metro I was not sure what to think either. I'm not an old pro, but I could probably manage.

Likes....

Install was smooth-no worries there
The fact that they did at least include a desktop environment

Dislikes
Metro--Not that metro is bad but that they are forcing Metro on a user
Think new interface will be confusing for some at first, particularly users who will be migrating from Windows XP machines will have a wakeup call.

Wants...
Give me a way to have my traditional start menu and desktop if I desire
Give users an option to disable the Hot corners and charms if they wish

Other thoughts.......
I feel like after I used the ViStart app to enable a traditional Start Menu, the PC became a lot more familiar to me...I think that people were just forgiving Microsoft for Vista and that for desktop/laptop users they hit the nail on the head with Windows 7. While I agree that Metro can be a good idea, I think users should have more choice to customize their experience. If you are a desktop PC user and want to have a Windows 7 look a feel, there needs to be a classic interface that allows for that. But if you use a tablet and want to use metro, include that also.

Just kinda thinking I don't know how Windows 8 will go. I think if Microsoft is smart maybe give the user a choice during install as to what interface they want(or the first time they start the PC for those who buy a prebuilt), and then have controls in control panel to allow the user to customize their own experience, but still leave shortcuts for people to use in case they want to check out and ease into new OS features, but do not force them into changes. Just 2 cents from a guy who's been working on and with Windows PC's since Windows 95(Though my first computer was a commodore 64 at age 5). How about that lol.

 

[ejb222]

I dont get it. People download a new version of Windows, then try to make it like the old version. Why don't people give it an actual shot. Leave it alone and just adapt to the changes. Then you will see the flaws with the OS for what it is, not for what you are used to.

I can see if it was a viable concern. But all the complaining of no start button is really rediculous. I for one have no issues without a start button. I find it hard to believe that it's that large of an issue. Especially since the start button is basically exploded on the desktop for you.
I rather believe that people just like to whine and complain and have no sense of good change. You start the computer and there is your start button. All your apps in front of you. One click and you are where you need to be. Not only that, but alot of the apps are live fed and updated so you can plainly see them. The OS doesn't run slow because of it. It's not hard to read. Its' not hard to get around from one thing to the next. A 5 year old could do it. But grown men whine...give me a break.

Every time someone complains about the no start button, I think of someone on a horse looking at a car saying "those things are a joke".

 

[thently]

The issue is "We" the IT pros have to deal with users that are still complaining about the fact that new computers cannot be purchased with Windows XP and just have a fit trying to figure out Windows 7 which is basicly identicle to XP from the user stand point just imagine Joe Boss man that just loves his XP computer then you throw Windows 8 at him and i can see it already please remove this and put Windows 7 back on... ect. I am still downgrading to XP in some i5 systems for heavens sake... i have used Windows 8 a fair bit and it is zippy i see a good use for the start screen for dumb people aka granny and non computer people... I just want a destop so do 90% of the users out there. i get the idea of a unification of OS's i just dont think it can be done in a way to make everyone happy.

Thent

 

[ejb222]

I get you...but imagine if they stopped making DVD players and VCRs because adults at the time needed their kid to instruct them how to use it?

And you said it yourself..."i see a good use for the start screen for dumb people aka granny and non computer people"...but the dumb guy who is asking for XP on his i5 machine cant seem to get it? It's not a matter of intellect, it's a matter of effort. And I think we both agree that Win8 is easy enough for a granny, so it boils down to just plain old effort. I refuse to be Dad who gives up and asks his 12 year old son "how do I work this thing." If someone can't handle Win8 tell them to go buy Apple

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

Not how it works in IT my friend. If you are an IT pro, can't be that way. Users want things their way and they want it yesterday.

Also, metro may be cool, but as I said, metro is great for tablets, not a desktop in my opinion. If something is not broken, don't fix it. I used to be Mac certified btw, put linux or a Mac system in front of someone who's only ever used Windows. They are going bug you with a question every few minutes.

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

Lol one of the best things you could do for your mac. I'm allowed to say that bc I was Mac certified for a couple of years lol.

 

[das_stig]

I tested the x86 version on a average spec laptop and it was painful to use and clumsy compared to Win7.

Intel Pentium Dual-Core T2310 (1.46GHz)
Intel 965GM Video
120GB Seagate 7200rpm
3GB DDR2-4200
Realtek 8169/8168/8101 PCI/PCIe
RaLink RT73 Wireless G Network Card
Realtek ALC883 High Definition Audio

Only good thing, it found and installed all the drivers during install.

 

[colragland]

Whers the start menu button? What are they thinking by takeing it out they have lost there minds...

 

[tlmck]

They lost me with Metro and the "kill switch".

 

[psugrad1999]

But if you disable it you won't be able to enjoy the new immersive and content rich programs that are designed for windows 8... you know.... like that finger painting thing...

Jokes aside, I knew something was up when the metro interface popped up and the desktop tile was nowhere to be seen. My first thought was 'Oh, you have got to be kidding me... wait, there it is!" and I promptly moved it to the front of the list. After organizing it (Into Home which has control panel, desktop, e-mail, weather, and other 'useful' tiles, People, Games, Applications) then it started being a little more useful. I still think I will mostly use the desktop, but I find the new start screen at least a slight improvement over the old start menu that I hated for all these years.

I totally agree. After I organized the metro tiles a bit I find it much easier to get to the programs I need and want. I only wish we had a top level of tiles at the top of the screen for groups like we have in xBox.

 

[Wamphryi]

I believe that people are looking at Win 8 from the wrong angle. The metro interface is actually the Start Button. The way one goes back to the "Start Button" is to move the mouse cursor to the right hand edge of the screen and there is a Start option that takes the user back to the Metro interface. So simply move the mouse to the top right hand edge of the screen instead of clicking bottom left and you have a Start Menu. Instead of it being the finicky Start Menu we are all used to we now have another one that uses the whole screen and that is very easy to configure. You can change tile sizes and group them in a way you simply cant on the traditional desktop. Now add the fact that your customised interface will work well on the wide range of devices you may likely own such as tablet and smartphone. This setup is vastly superior to what we have worked with since 1995. Add the fact you can carry this OS on a USB stick and fire it on any modern PC and we are entering a whole new world of computing. MS have it right. I had my doubts but this time they have really taken us into a new world of computing.

 

[Draclvr]

I installed on a spare 500 GB hard drive with nary a problem. After doing a little research on how to make it look and act like I want, it's really growing on me. I am strictly a desktop user. but am not only getting used to the Metro interface, but finding I prefer it to the desktop.

I agree with you, Wamphyri... I was never a big fan of the old Start button to begin with. Toss in the speed of the OS and my #1 favorite thing - NO RESTARTS FOR UPDATES!!! - and I'm finding I also agree with your last statement. I can definitely sympathize with the IT guys though - I did a bit of that at one time too. They speak true.

 

[Martha39]

I personally kinda like the idea of Metro. I don't like having to flip between UIs.

 

[Draclvr]

Yes, there is definitely a schizophrenic feel to it right now. I'm hoping as the OS matures and they issue more updates, that will all be resolved.