Finally a Windows 8 (8.1) version I LIKE

jimbo45

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Hi there
while not totally 100% "Desktop friendly" It's certainly good enough for what I need - especially with Boot directly to desktop.

I've also been messing around with one of those Thin Ultrabooks with a touch screen -- Windows 8.1 is fine as well on this. Actually I'm beginning to come round to touch screens for LAPTOPS (no way would I want one on my large expensive LCD monitor !!!) in some cases such as using IE -- the Immersive (Metro) version of IE11 with Windows 8.1 is STREETS ahead of the rubbish that was in Windows 8 - it's actually usable now -- and the on screen keyboard really works --- If you are on a busy train surfing the net this way with a laptop is fine -- I don't have or want a tablet since I do a lot of other things too such as using Ms EXCEL or Powerpoint while travelling. Incidentally Touch is also great for REVIEWING presentations or making SMALL changes (but you can't beat a keyboard and mouse for general working with office products).

What I like also with the onscreen touch keyboard is that it's great to be able to change keyboards without physically having to plug one in -- I often want to use ISL keyboard --on screen is great. The Touch keyboard works decently too - was always a bit "laggy" with windows 8 and Touch.


I've added a "Custom toolbar" for programs which works almost as good as the old menu system whenever I need that feature - but I usually have my most used applications pinned either to the desktop or quick launch taskbar anyway.

Ms should have introduced Windows 8.1 as Windows 8 -- I finally feel I have a version now that gives me enough confidence to finally let go of Windows 7 -- I'll wait for the TechNet availability of ENTERPRISE version though - and I'll make a useful Windows to Go system too.

Now to Ms -- Glad you've improved the metro stuff -- BUT one thing I would like would be an easier way of handling both Metro and Classical windowed programs concurrently when using multiple monitors.

So far then I'd give Windows 8.1 RTM a B+ or A- Job MUCH IMPROVED from Windows 8 with some improvements still to go.

The DRIVER detection wasn't as good as Windows 8 -- but that might have been because I'm testing on a relatively new Touch screen Ultrabook with Manufacturers drivers -- however by keeping the Windows.OLD file when I did my install(from the TechNet ISO) choosing update drivers from Windows device manager fixed the problem as Windows scanned my C drive and picked up the drivers from there.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
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Well Jimbo,

coming from you....who would have expected that.....


Touch screens will not be for me, i want a big screen and am not going to sit up with my arm streched all day.

Do not like laptops or tablets myself.

Jeff
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WINDOWS 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    INTEL CORE I--3770K LGA1155
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V
    Memory
    KINGSTON 2400 MHZ KHX24C11K4 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    INTEL HD GRAFICS 4000
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philip BDL3245€ 32 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 SAMSUNG 840 PRO RAID 0 ON BOARD 2 x 128 GB
    Keyboard
    LOGITEC MX™ 5500
    Mouse
    LOGITEC MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    120 Mbps
Well Jimbo,

coming from you....who would have expected that.....


Touch screens will not be for me, i want a big screen and am not going to sit up with my arm streched all day.

Do not like laptops or tablets myself.

Jeff


Hi there
I like big screens too - but I do travel a lot so a proper laptop is mandatory -- I don't like HUGE laptops though -- 13.3 or 14 inch screen is fine with possibility to output to HDMI to use external monitor (or even Hotel Plasma / LCD TV) as monitor is just OK.

The touch screen part has uses -- not when working though in "Normal desktop mode".

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
hehehe Jimbo,

work comes first, I understand


Jeff
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    WINDOWS 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    INTEL CORE I--3770K LGA1155
    Motherboard
    ASUS P8Z77-V
    Memory
    KINGSTON 2400 MHZ KHX24C11K4 16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    INTEL HD GRAFICS 4000
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philip BDL3245€ 32 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 SAMSUNG 840 PRO RAID 0 ON BOARD 2 x 128 GB
    Keyboard
    LOGITEC MX™ 5500
    Mouse
    LOGITEC MX 5500
    Internet Speed
    120 Mbps
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