To "Win8" or not to "Win8" - that is the question

[Morne]

But in my case its for a new PC

[alexyork]

But in my case its for a new PC

Given it's a new machine, my advice would be:

If you have a bunch of other systems on your network that are running 7, stick with 7.
If not, you might as well go with 8.
Unless you're using a Wacom tablet.
Unless you know of any compatibility issues with any of your hardware or software.

[Morne]

I think I will go with Win8

[Sawyer]

I use it at home and for about a month or so I tried to use the Windows 8 screen but it adds nothing to my workflow so I just went back to the desktop config and I never see any reason to switch. Bobby is right the screen set up is clearly made for a touch device. No real reason to drag your mouse across the screen to hunt for apps/programs whatever.

[glorybound]

I have the Surface, which works great. I am also running it on two laptops, and both work great, but I can spend days in one program without leaving it. So, jumping between sites is nice on a tablet with Win8, but not a big deal for work.

[Morne]

I use it at home and for about a month or so I tried to use the Windows 8 screen but it adds nothing to my workflow so I just went back to the desktop config and I never see any reason to switch. Bobby is right the screen set up is clearly made for a touch device. No real reason to drag your mouse across the screen to hunt for apps/programs whatever.

So you can set Win8 to look like Win7 with the start menu in right place similar way that you could set Vista and Xp to look like Win95?

[glorybound]

You can stay on the desktop, with a 3rd party start, and it's just like Win7

http://startisback.com/#download-tab

[Sawyer]

So you can set Win8 to look like Win7 with the start menu in right place similar way that you could set Vista and Xp to look like Win95?

Its not all the same - MS seems to like hiding features you would normally use. But you get back to the main desktop and it functions 80% the way you would think. It still really wants to think of itself as a tablet calling all programs apps and suggesting free apps you may want to play but its functional. You dont need a 3rd party app to get it back though maybe that app takes care of the other 20%? IDK.

[glorybound]

You can still pin most used items to your taskbar, and on the metro side. The search function is fast and finds things without a problem, so I am not having any issues. I took advantage of the $35.00 upgrade offer, which has long expired, so it was a cheap upgrade. Eventually you'll need to know it, or you'll be lost while working on a machine that has it; it's that different.

[tricky]

Morne - if you want my advice, steer clear of win8. There is no point that I can see on a workstation. I have tried as best as I can on my home machine to get on with it but ended up installing some 3rd party software to give me back a start menu. Its hardly ideal though. Only reason I went to w8 is because there was an offer which made it cheaper than buying w7.

[Morne]

Morne - if you want my advice, steer clear of win8. There is no point that I can see on a workstation. I have tried as best as I can on my home machine to get on with it but ended up installing some 3rd party software to give me back a start menu. Its hardly ideal though. Only reason I went to w8 is because there was an offer which made it cheaper than buying w7.

Yes I've just had a look at some quotes I got this afternoon from my supplier. For my new home pc, Win8 costs MORE than Win7 for my work pc!
However in retail shops here we still have the cheap upgrade offer to Win8

I must just also say that after so many negative things been said of Vista over the years, I've been running it without any problems on some pc's for just over 5 years already, and I actually prefer it over XP

[stevesideas]

I'm sure windows 8 is great for some users but for me it doesn't sound that great. Windows 7 is very stable for me and I have no problems with DR or any of the other issues that windows 8 suffer from. I'll be sticking with windows 7 for a long time yet.

[glorybound]

Until your family, and friends call you for computer help, and you'll have no clue on how to help them. It might be a good thing, but if you are like me, you are the I.T. go-to-guy.