Windows 8

[haven]

Microsoft has released a "consumer preview" of Windows 8. It's available for free, and can be installed on just about any machine that can run Windows 7. You can install this test version of Windows 8 in a partition, and choose to boot Windows 7 or 8. Details here: http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/...9/introducing-windows-8-consumer-preview.aspx

Windows 8 gives you access to the Windows store. During the consumer preview, you can download programs from the Windows store without charge. Windows 8 will run older applications such as Microsoft Office, so you can use Windows 8 as part of your current workflow.

Microsoft wants to create a common user experience that can extend from smart phones through tablet computers and touch-enabled laptops and on to desktop computers. The Metro interface, used in Windows 8 and in the new Windows phones, is the first step in that direction. That makes Windows 8 a big deal.

I haven't used a Windows machine in years. Now where did I put that old laptop?

Here are some initial reports about the Windows 8 experience
http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/microsoft-windows-8-consumer-preview-detailed-impressions/
http://gizmodo.com/5889122/the-five-best-new-features-in-windows-8-consumer-preview
http://gizmodo.com/5889001/windows-8-consumer-preview-hands-on-no-going-back
http://techcrunch.com/2012/02/29/windows-8-the-road-ahead/
http://www.theverge.com/2012/2/10/2788927/windows-8-consumer-preview
http://www.theverge.com/2012/2/29/2832640/windows-8-consumer-preview-pictures-video
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2392889,00.asp

 

[nwoods]

Here is a short (1:07min) video preview of Windows 8. I think my brain just cramped
http://youtu.be/aebfjzdLxJA

 

[haven]

Several reviewers have commented that the Windows 8 Metro interface is great, but the old Windows interface is not well integrated into it. My favorite quote on the subject is by Andy Ihnatko, tech blogger and columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times

"The Metro app interface is so free of white noise that when I launch a conventional Windows app and return to the world of menus and icons and overlapping windows, it's jarring. I feel like I've switched the channel and landed in an episode of 'Hoarders.'"

http://www.suntimes.com/technology/...metro-show-true-multiplatform-os-promise.html

Microsoft and all Windows developers have a major challenge ahead, making the legacy world of Windows work in the icons-and-gestures environment of modern (some would say Post-PC) computing.

 

[haven]

Microsoft is getting ready to introduce Windows 8. But hardware manufacturers don't want people waiting for the new OS before buying a PC. So starting in June, Microsoft will offer a program called the "Windows Step Up Offer. " People who purchase a new Windows 7 PC are eligible to buy Windows 8 Pro for $15.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/5/28/3...ade-offer-gift-card-microsoft-store-workshops

No word on how much a Windows 8 upgrade will cost if you already own a Windows 7 machine.

 

[lqdchkn]

Do you work for MS?

You seem to be selling it quite well for some one who isn't using it.

Take it from someone who has, it's not that freakin' fantastic. In fact IE10 crashes all the time on this website and even did once as I tried to post this, LOL. In fact aside from the bugs, it's actually kinda annoying and I'm hoping the next release next week offers some much needed improvements.

 

[haven]

Download the Windows 8 Release Preview (the third iteration, after the Developer and Customer previews) here
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/download

It seems to me that Microsoft is running a big risk with Windows 8. It's very different from previous versions of Windows. Customers might well decide that if they have to learn a bunch of new stuff about their OS, they might as well switch to MacOS.

 

[haven]

At the CES show 5 months ago, the PC talk centered around the "ultrabook," Intel's trademarked descriptor for a very thin laptop with solid state drive and high resolution LCD screen. Intel says there are more than 100 Ultrabook models coming from all major vendors.

Fast forward to the Computex show in Taipei. Ultrabooks are still news. But Windows 8's Metro touchscreen interface has spawned a new type of Windows computer: The Windows Tablet.

There are three types of tablets: Tablets (no keyboard), sliders (tablets with keyboards that slide under the screen when not needed), and hybrids or convertibles (tablets with a separate detatchable keyboard dock). All have touchscreen capability. To add to the buyer's confusion, a few Ultrabooks now have touchscreens, too.

The basic specs for the Windows Tablet appears to be the following
-- low power Intel processor
-- 10.1 or 11.6 inch color LCD touchscreen
-- 1366x768 pixels display resolution
-- 2 GB RAM, 32 GB solid state disc
-- HDMI, SD, USB slots
-- 2 MP front, 8 MP rear cameras

These specs are similar to a 2012 top of the line Android tablet. The kicker is that Windows Tablets run Windows apps, just like your desktop computer.

Here's a list of manufacturers and the types of Windows Tablets they showed at Computex.

Tablets
Lenovo Thinkpad Clover Trail processor, 10.1 inch 1366x768
Acer W700 1920x1080 display, innovative dock/stand

Tablets with keyboard dock (also called hybrid or convertible tablet)
Toshiba
Asus Eee Pad Transformer Book
Asus Tablet 810
Samsung
Acer Iconia W510

Tablets with keyboard sliders
MSI S20
Acer
toshiba

The first Windows tablets will appear with Intel Medfield processors. These will be sold as part of Intel's Atom processor line. In late Fall, the more powerful, yet more energy efficient Ivy Bridge designs will start shipping as third generation Core processors. The Ivy Bridge models will be worth waiting for.

Lots of questions remain for Windows tablets. How fast will they run standard Windows apps, such as Microsoft Office? Will people buy tablets without keyboards for typical business applications? Will sales of Ultrabooks, which generally will have faster processors, larger hard drives, and higher prices, be cannibalized by Windows Tablets? At which price points will the new tablets be offered? Will anyone buy a Windows Tablet that's priced higher than a similarly equipped Apple iPad? If Microsoft Office apps appear for iPad (there are rumors that Microsoft is working on an iOS version), will the iPad kill interest in Windows Tablets? None of the Computex manufacturers talked about versions with 3G or 4G connectivity, or with GPS. Does this mean they're surrendering the portable market to Android and iOS tablets?

 

[haven]

Microsoft is developing a version of Windows 8 that runs on the inexpensive low power processors found in many cell phones and Android tablets. It's called Windows RT. RT only runs apps written just for it. Standard Windows apps won't run on RT.

At Computex, only two companies showed tablets running Windows RT. Asus showed the Tablet 600, powered by an nVidia Tegra 3 processor. And processor manufacturer Qualcomm showed a development tablet running a Snapdragon S4 dual core processor. This shows that PC manufacturers don't think Windows RT tablets will sell that well against Android models. There are a few thousand apps for Windows RT, compared to many hundreds of thousands of Android apps.

[Update: Make that 3 companies. Texas Instruments showed Windows RT running on a 7 inch tablet using a 1.5 GHz OMAP 4470 dual core processor. The device was a proof of concept, showing manufacturers how a TI-based system works.]

The other factor is price. Android manufacturers are resigned to price points below $400. Any higher than $400, and people choose an iPad. Can manufacturers make money on a Windows RT device that costs less than $400.

One good sign: The Asus Tablet 600 has a GPS chip. That means Asus expects people to use the Tablet 600 away from home and office.

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

. Customers might well decide that if they have to learn a bunch of new stuff about their OS, they might as well switch to MacOS.

You mean like everyone else that can afford it? I know several people they only use windows because they have to for work. My wife included. Once people realize how much time and money OSx saves for personal computers the choice is clear. I've never seen a 5 year windows computer that still worked, but the first experience I had with a modern Mac was in Iraq and they would still boot up around or in under a min. My HP at the time would take 3-5 to boot up and could turn off in about 2-3. Not to mention everytime I got near wifi which wasn't much it would have hundreds of updates for it. I know I've never looked back as a casual user. My Mac is 3 yrs old now and with the SSD it starts up around 15 seconds and shuts down in about 5. With the spinning HD I was still under 30 seconds to boot and just 6-9 to shut down. The problem with windows is as you use them they get forever slower. If windows could cut that out and keep their offerings cheap they might make a come back someday.

 

[haven]

Microsoft announced today that the upgrade to Windows 8 Professional will cost $40 if you download the software over the Internet. The web site for downloads is named Windows.com. The upgrade will work on computers running Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. If you don't want to install immediately, Download Assistant software will help you create a bootable USB thumb drive or an .ISO file that can be used to make a bootable DVD of the upgrade.

A boxed version of the Windows 8 Pro upgrade will cost $70, and will be available through the usual stores and online sources.

These are promotional prices that will expire in January 2013.

Read the announcement on Microsoft's Windows 8 Team blog
http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/...07/02/upgrade-to-windows-8-pro-for-39-99.aspx

Update: The Windows 8 Pro software will be available October 28. The price of Windows 8 Professional will rise from $70 to $200 after January.

 

[haven]

Lenovo ThinkPad 2

Lenovo has announced the specs of its Windows 8 tablet, called the Thinkpad 2.

The Thinkpad 2 will have a 10.1 color LCD touchscreen with 1366x768 resolution. The tablet will run an unspecified version of Intel's Atom processor, which means it will run standard Windows 8 and the standard suite of desktop apps. Also unspecified is the minimum amount of RAM (I'm guessing 2 GB) and storage (16 GB minimum, I'd guess). The tablet will weigh 1.3 lb. Battery life is estimated at 10 hours, but given the processor, I'm skeptical.

The base Thinkpad 2 will have WiFi only, and will sport 8 megapixel rear-facing and 2 megapixel front-facing cameras. The Thinkpad 2 will offer mini USB and HDMI ports. 4G (LTE) cell service is optional. AT&T is rumored to be the carrier. A docking keyboard with Lenovo's trademark TrackPoint "eraserhead" mouse pointer in the center of the keyboard, a digitizer (for stylus input) and fingerprint reader will be additional options.

I expect Lenovo is just the first of several manufacturers which will have tablets available when Windows 8 is released on October 28.

The Verge has a set of photos taken at the press introduction in NYC.
http://www.theverge.com/2012/8/8/3229040/lenovo-thinkpad-tablet-2-pictures#3642338

 

[haven]

http://www.theverge.com/2012/8/16/3246185/this-is-my-next-windows-8

Here's a wildly enthusiastic article that describes the author's enthusiasm for Windows 8. The author says it's the first OS that works with a touchscreen as well as it works with keyboard and mouse. That makes Windows 8 the best choice for use with a convertible slate -- tablet one minute, full desktop computer the next.

One ring to rule them all?

 

[haven]

Here's a video that gives a look at what Powerpoint and Word look like on a Windows RT tablet, namely the new Samsung ATIV RT. The software demo starts at about the 2:30 mark.



The touch controls seem a bit too small to me. Maybe the reason Microsoft is pushing accessory keyboards for its Surface tablets is that the apps are hard to use without one.

 

[reece146]

The user interface isn't quite done yet. The toggle between modes really needs some elegance applied to it.

Im generally positive on this device but it has the rough edges that Microsoft stuff normally does when directly compared to Apple stuff. C'mon, get with the programme MS!

 

[haven]

You're right, it's still 2 months before the public release of Windows 8. That's enough time to clean up the UI.