So, I've been thinking about giving Windows 8 a try (once the Consumer Preview rolls out February 29th), but a have a few questions before going through with this:

- How does the licensing works on an Beta/Developer-Consumer preview build? is there a 30-day window? how does it works?

- Are the latest graphics/sound/etc drivers fully compatible with Windows 8?

- Same with games, will Steam/Origin work without a hitch?

- I think I know the answer to this but, will there be an option to disable the Metro UI completely?

Thanks!

Yep, the licensing will allow for about a year's use of the Consumer Preview. From what I've seen with Windows 8 Developer Preview, it seems to have MUCH better device support. Webcams on laptops work right from the install, I've even had wifi adapters that normally need separate drivers in Windows 7 be installed seamlessly in 8. The graphics performance has dramatically improved for lower end PCs as well. I can't say for gaming for my partition isn't large enough, but from the above post, I guess so.

And no, Windows 8 doesn't offer a user input to turn off metro, that's one of the points of Windows 8, and is the point of Windows Phone and is the point of Xbox. Microsoft is approaching software design throughout all their products in the metro design language.

I have a tablet pc, hp slate 500. I do not like the metro look, so if it can't be disabled then I will stick with windows 7.

Thanks for all the help fellas, let's hope once the Consumer Preview rolls out, there will be an option for disabling the Metro UI completely.

+rep to all!

Thanks for the info.

Hmmm - what's the betting that if there is one, the "turn off metro" option is at install time only? Or am I being cynical??

Regards

Robin