I would like to start this thread where we can compile the compelling advantages of Windows 8. The question at hand is:

Why should I buy Windows 8 rather than continue with Windows 7 on my desktop.

I realize that it is early days to make an argument for Windows 8. But as we progress over time, we may add our new findings.

Well if you are using a mobile device with an ARM chip and a touch screen then Win 8 might be for you.

Interesting point, however as I get older I realize, sitting in front of a mobile hand held device is one thing but sitting at a computer desktop reaching across to a screen to navigate by screen won't cut it.

I can think of one compelling reason for me to move to W8 and that is if voice technology becomes truly reliable, stable and can navigate and issue commands as well as humans.

Hi there
IF and only IF (sounds like an old mathematical theorem proof !!) the metro apps can be sorted out so the user can quickly navigate and launch these (and with a Mouse -- why should I put my greasy mits all over a very expensive backlit huge LCD monitor) I'll switch my machines at a shot.

I'm actually one in the Older category who LIKES the Metro idea - although I don't have much time for smartphones and the like.

Navigating through a classical menu screen with zillions of submenus etc or looking at a desktop simply littered with shortcut links doesn't please me at all --reminds me too much of the horrors of using those simply HORENDOUSLY HIDEOUS overseas call centres where you are in perpetual menu hell.

I think W8 will actually fly -- it's a pity that just as W7 was being adopted by some large corporations W8 comes out --they won't want to do ANOTHER upgrade.

However where I work there is a policy now of letting users buy and use their own machines -- the only requirement is that company approved security software must be installed on the machine --fair enough if you are connecting to their networks.

It's a lot of extra work for our guys in I.T support but it's really appreciated by the users -- why use a 5 year old desktop at work when you've got a blazingly fast laptop etc.

I think more companies will be adopting this approach so W8 is likely to get a decent outing even with the corporates.

Cheers
jimbo

Originally Posted by jimbo45

Hi there
IF and only IF (sounds like an old mathematical theorem proof !!) the metro apps can be sorted out so the user can quickly navigate and launch these (and with a Mouse -- why should I put my greasy mits all over a very expensive backlit huge LCD monitor) I'll switch my machines at a shot.

I'm actually one in the Older category who LIKES the Metro idea - although I don't have much time for smartphones and the like.

Navigating through a classical menu screen with zillions of submenus etc or looking at a desktop simply littered with shortcut links doesn't please me at all --reminds me too much of the horrors of using those simply HORENDOUSLY HIDEOUS overseas call centres where you are in perpetual menu hell.

I think W8 will actually fly -- it's a pity that just as W7 was being adopted by some large corporations W8 comes out --they won't want to do ANOTHER upgrade.

However where I work there is a policy now of letting users buy and use their own machines -- the only requirement is that company approved security software must be installed on the machine --fair enough if you are connecting to their networks.

It's a lot of extra work for our guys in I.T support but it's really appreciated by the users -- why use a 5 year old desktop at work when you've got a blazingly fast laptop etc.

I think more companies will be adopting this approach so W8 is likely to get a decent outing even with the corporates.

Cheers
jimbo

I wonder if you are using Win7 correctly. First, there is the taskbar and then, you can just type the name of the progam. A well-organized desktop is an excellent productivity tool.

Win8 is not compelling for me as I really do not care about tablets. It may be important for those interested in tablets. In any case, my strong belief is that even in that space, the Win8 metro interface would be rather inferior to the more adaptable and more configurable Android 4 (ICS) which actually points the way MS should have taken.

Now, if Win8 tablets are compelling, it is another discussion. I feel that they are going to be priced to high to be of interest to general consumers. Win8-only-Metro in ARM is a non-starter in my opinion. It has no compelling content (not now anyway) and it would have some difficulty matching the competing environments in that score (i-Tunes and the Google/Amazon stores).

The things I'm interested about Windows 8 is that it has the new task manager and native PDF reader plus other things like the new system reset, better shutdown and startup and the better memory management thing.

However, I do not think it will be appealing for enterprises especially on companies that do not want to upgrade their machines unless it was of huge reason. The metro with full screen apps is not appealing for the desktop on business machines for the most part and those companies who are still using Windows XP will more likely upgrade to Windows 7 instead of Windows 8 by next year or so unless Windows 8 gets a major makover on what it looks like at the moment.

"
Navigating through a classical menu screen with zillions of submenus etc or looking at a desktop simply littered with shortcut links doesn't please me at all"

Jimbo. I don't have a cluttered destop, but why do you see that as different from a desktop (Metro) cluttered with icons?
My "classical" Windows 7 start menu is organised into folders. After using the same basic structure since way back legacy OSs, I know where to quickly go for any particular program.
Like most, whilst I have a large number of programs on my computer, many are rarely used and are only for that rare convenience.
The thought of gazing at all those icons, as a welcome to my Windows 8 desktop, does not get my motor going. I will move on, for the benefits of, hopefully, improved performance - particularly in the 64Bit category. I am already, getting accustomed to the Non metro desktop and have not, so far, encountered any problems.

It's supposed to have a fix for the new AMD CPU's

I like those huge compatibility improvements with two (or more) monitors
if they just could make it possible to not to blink those screens when a direct3D or Open GL program is open

The thought of gazing at all those icons, as a welcome to my Windows 8 desktop, does not get my motor going

And it is not only for the programs that you get a tile - you get a tile for every .exe that is in the Program File folder, even for the uninstaller. Who needs such clutter.