Will You Upgrade to Windows 8?

Without a doubt on my desktop, it's the perfect PC for Windows 8. It's been for all intents & purposes my default OS since installing it. When I'm running Windows 7 on it, my CPU usage is averaging around 80% at all times (usually higher), RAM at 60%. If I run XP Mode, the PC is practically screaming. Note that it has an anemic 1.5GHz dual core CPU & 4GB DDR2 RAM.

Since I installed Win 8 CP, it's on cruise, even with whatever necessary Windows services are running, and Avast Internet Security 7 as my security solution, with a trial of the active MBAM running. Windows Defender has been turned off. I chose Avast over ESET Smart Security 5, which is on my other Windows installs for one reason: It's SafeZone browser. Being that it's a beta, I need the protection of a sandboxed browser to make transactions. Better to be safe than sorry.

And even more, I have a usable desktop in half the time vs Windows 7 or XP. Windows 8 CP is producing Linux desktop ready times. Not bad, for a week old OS.

Check this screenshot out of the CPU/RAM performance:



Windows 7, not even close to conserving resources. Windows 8 will be the perfect OS for many of the low powered PC's, notebooks & tablets on the market. Note that this is an all-in-one PC. These PC's are now on a roll.

More than likely, after the OS becomes RC, I'll probably install it on my notebook (my main computer) also, as a dual boot. I'll just have to get rid of that 100MB partition, and format the space prior to the install, so that 8 CP won't create that 350MB system partition. Being that I have a recovery partition installed, I would have 4 primaries, so I need to address that issue.

And just think, if this runs this fast on an old, wore out WD 400 40GB HDD that I bought used on eBay for $10, what would it do on a SSD? The thought just sends shivers down my spine. These are the specs of the HDD that it's running on now, a HDD designed for Windows XP/2000:

http://www.wdc.com/EN/LIBRARY/EIDE/2879-001021.PDF

I knew that it ran at 7200rpm, but a 2MB cache? Most of my other HDD's have a 32MB cache.

EDIT: I just checked, it was built in January 2006, it's been powered up 3663 times & has ran for 248.3 days. Still running good, just a bit of vibration, that's to be expected of a 6 year old HDD that's been booted that many times.

Cat

I've already started using win 8 as my default os.. In short I love it.. Ok it still needs work but to me the metro section is just like a huge start menu or all programs section. After a few days of messing I got stuff to where I wanted it and I love how you can track back and forth without having to close stuff down. Don't get me wrong I love win 7 too but a few more tweaks here and there and win 8 will be simply awesome. Oh and I just love the way the visuals, games and GUI seem to have a real zing to them. I'm not sure if this down to the WDM 1.2 driver that comes with win 8 and the later cards (AMD -5000/6000 series and onwards) but it simply looks gorgeous... Boot up times are freakishly fast too.. Keepers for me. Oh I forgot to mention Task manager.. Wow it's now even more useful!

I've installed it on my notebook (the computer listed in my specs), it's running quite well. There are a couple of issues that needs to be resolved, mainly the lack of DYNAUDIO not working. Probably any fix will come from MSI, as it's an OEM installed feature.

Windows 8 CP, for it's young age, is more than what I expected.

Cat

I must admit that at first I hated the new Start menu and resulting apps page. Now I've had time to play with it and understand it I love it. I know one can download a mod to return the start orb but I prefer the new system. I just find it easier to use with less clicks to get to where I want to..

I ran the DP from mid-September 2011. Messed w/ it sporadically. Since 29/2/12 have been solidly w/ Windows8. To little time to learn it, personalise it. I'm running dual-boot w/ Windows7, both x64. The Start is of little concern... I boot to the Desktop... have customized start but visit it rately. The lack of old start menu & windows orb is meaningless. Navigating Win8 is smooth, easy, convenient & quick. Moussing, rather than Touch, goes just fine. There are some ok Features, particularly like Ribbon in Windows Explorer windows, what is in FILE & that access to Event viewer, cmd, cmd as Admin, is all over the place. Search is very cool, especially typing to open real estate on Start to search. I will say, emphatically, Keyboard shortcuts & Quick Launch make life w/ Windows8 much nicer than otherwise.

As for performance, it is stunning!! RAM usage is low. CPU usage is low. Speed & snappiness impressive. So far, I have hit not snags or glitches, except for once the screen saver got stuck. I have discovered any software or hardware issues. No 'installation' of any devices was needed, Windows8 took care of everything all by itself w/ immediacy @ the onset. It does do some neat & helpful things. I'll end this diatribe by using some unexpected adjectives... I have been using various Windows OSs for a long time. I'm actually in IT & have worked on many machines & done many installs. I beta-tested Vista & Windows7... they were not as refined, @ the beginning of the Betas as Windows8 Beta is. The APPs are another story...seem noticeably unfinished. The install time on Windows8 is the fastest I've ever seen @ about 10-15 mins. But, back to the adjectives... the point was, after other OSs to compare & in mind, Windows8 just has this calm, relaxed, quiet, happy feel about it. You are welcome to try to figure out what I mean... techno jargon doesn't express it.

Because of all of the above & more, I find Windows8 fun, enjoyable & technically impressive. How it will be received is hard to say. The design goal were ominous & probably have been achieved. The compatibility base is huge. The resource requirements are tiny, resource usage is low. The under-the-covers Features for enterprise are outstanding. It's the most secure & fastest booting OS, ever. I either see extreme balking or marked excitement. Getting End Users past the learning curve will be the challenge. Once you found a comfort zone, some understanding, a degree of competency, it is/can be a very pleasant, pleasing & interesting experience. It is different but, @ least, equally dynamic.

Drew

Originally Posted by kemical

I must admit that at first I hated the new Start menu and resulting apps page. Now I've had time to play with it and understand it I love it. I know one can download a mod to return the start orb but I prefer the new system. I just find it easier to use with less clicks to get to where I want to..

I didn't like it at first either. What I at first done was looked for software that would give me a "classic" Windows Desktop. I found a couple, but they only worked with Windows 8 DP.

After reading an article on AnandTech, it helped me to understand the Windows 8 CP better, and I became more comfortable with it.

AnandTech - Windows 8 Consumer Preview: The Four Corners

This is where, after reading all of the posts, I discovered that Windows 8 CP does have a Start Menu (many users feels that there isn't one), and how to use it. Google & Bing can be your friends when searching for answers on most any subject, that's where I normally look before requesting assistance on forums. Usually, many users questions/concerns are already answered. The user just has to look.

Cat

I won't (@ this point in time, almost refuse to) address the Start debate... there's really no need nor really any subject matter. I will suggest that much as I agree, navigating Win8 can be easy & nice... the addition of Quick Launch helps immensely!!

Drew

Agreed on the Start debate..

I've also found Windows Explorer has become far more of a friend now than it ever was in previous incarnations of windows.

See?... Ppl are saying positive things (too).