Can the new Windows 8.1 bring back users?

First, because I can't resist, let me just say "I told you so!"

I'd said all along that Windows 8's Metro interface was downright awful for desktop users. I was right. Windows 8 saw PC sales plummet to their worst level in a generation. Under new leadership, Microsoft has finally bought a clue and is retrofitting Windows 8.x's Metro/Modern desktop with a much more keyboard- and mouse-friendly Windows, Icon, Menu, and Pointer (WIMP) interface.
win81updatetaskbar-620x67-620x67.png
I can only ask, "What took you so long Microsoft?" Popular programs, such as Stardock's Start8, showed that Windows power users craved their Start Menu. Besides, Windows 8.x's abysmal usage numbers were even worse than Microsoft's previous all-time operating system flop, Vista. It doesn't take the next coming of GE CEO genius Jack Welch to realize when a core product has failed.
The rest here:
 
I just performed the upgrade to "update one". So far, it's .. well, Ok. Is it a great improvement. No.. not in my opinion. The ability to go directly into the desktop was there with 8.1 and I like that. Begin able to pin apps to the task bar is also nice as is the organization of the start screen.

That's about 3 things that I like about update one. The rest are nice but minor, IMO. Overall, I like the changes but I want to see Windows 9 and see what direction MS is going with that OS.

Jeff
PS, Link to get updates:
How to download and install Windows 8.1 Update 1 for free (right now) | ExtremeTech
 
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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built: Atomic City Computer
    CPU
    AMD A4-4000 3.0/3.2Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI FM2-A55M-E33
    Memory
    8BG of Corsair DDR3 RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    On Board
    Sound Card
    On Boardi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic 27" VA2703
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 500GB, Crucial 120Gb SSD
    Case
    Thermaltake
    Cooling
    N/A
    Keyboard
    Corsair Raptor K40
    Mouse
    Amazon Generic Optical
    Internet Speed
    56Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, Chrome and Opera
    Antivirus
    Micro Soft Defender
    Other Info
    Getting this on May 1st:
    AMD A8-6600K
I don't think they can rake up more support apart from the poor souls that buy new PCs and don't know better. Even my goverment warns against using 8 and 8.1. It was all over the 8 o'clock news in national TV. With that kind of support they will be going nowhere.

With the 8.1.1 enhancements it may be a bit better, but the inherent problems remain and many people have already alternate strategies - especially the big customers and goverment agencies. The Windows 8 reputation is down the drain and no bit of paint will revive it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Easy, release a new version of Windows (let's call it 9) that is quite similar to the previous version but better and problem solved! :D

Worked with vista didn't it?...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Yea I think public perception of 8(et al) is a done deal, it simply cannot rebound. Those who like it will continue to sing its praises, long after they have switched to 9.

The rest of us will forget it rather quickly.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
Hi there.

Been "Linux-yfing" myself recently -- amazing if you pit your mind to it how many programs you can run on Linux these days -and with the whole install mechanism is now incredibly easy -- often just one line -- apt-get install xxxxx where all the dependencies etc are all managed. There's GUI's around also.

In fact it's only PHOTOSHOP CS6 (although I'm told around 95% of it works on WINE - so I'll try that -- probably good enough) and OFFICE 201- where I still need Windows for myself -- GIMP and Libre Office aren't good enough yet especially for pre-press pics and EXCEL power users. I also need to connect to some corporate I.T systems so I'll run Windows VM's.

My latest 3 conversions -- CALIBRE e-book reader WITH DE-DRM so I can get Kindle drm'd books converted to drm free epub to load into my SONY E-reader - buy the books from amazon and then store in the Sony !!, LOGITECH MEDIA SEVER which
streams music and Internet radio to various hardware devices I have around the house - from the old Logitech SQUEEZE system and HANDBRAKE which is a decently OK DVD ripping program.

Still to go : AnyDVD but this might run on WINE - left on the Windows VM.enc

With Linux you can still have plasma /Aero /3d and Menus in any shape or form.

Scrshot here :

Ms really did hose up the people who want a DESKTOP OS. You could make W8.1 "sort of work" bit I didn't like the way they were pushing the new "Metro" interface.

I don't like the idea either of a potential CLOUD OS - probably with some sort of subscription model thrown in.

Desktop running Linux Mint (petra) 16 KDE.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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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)
Hey Jimbo.. I like Linux and I've been playing around with it for years. Most recentently I've tried out Netrunner 13.12. While it's easy to set up and use overall there still are aspects that I don't like and I still go back to Windows. I'm not saying it's "bad" but for my requirements Windows meets them better than Linux does at the moment.

Jeff.....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built: Atomic City Computer
    CPU
    AMD A4-4000 3.0/3.2Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI FM2-A55M-E33
    Memory
    8BG of Corsair DDR3 RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    On Board
    Sound Card
    On Boardi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic 27" VA2703
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 500GB, Crucial 120Gb SSD
    Case
    Thermaltake
    Cooling
    N/A
    Keyboard
    Corsair Raptor K40
    Mouse
    Amazon Generic Optical
    Internet Speed
    56Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, Chrome and Opera
    Antivirus
    Micro Soft Defender
    Other Info
    Getting this on May 1st:
    AMD A8-6600K
Yea I think public perception of 8(et al) is a done deal, it simply cannot rebound. Those who like it will continue to sing its praises, long after they have switched to 9.

The rest of us will forget it rather quickly.


Yarp,, You can put a fork in Windows 8 right about now. Nothing can save that spaghetti. I just want to see what MS will do with Windows 9 but I don't think many users will upgrade to it either. Why?? Well most users have no idea on how to update an OS on any PC, Windows or any other OS from what I can tell. Hell, I just got a new PC Thursday and the BIOS was set up to boot to the HD first and not the CD/DVD. I had to adjust that in order to do a clean install of Windows 8.1 on mine. How many "average" users will know how to do that or do and upgrade?? Not that many I bet and the ones that do I bet few would want to risk the issues that might occur with an update.

Oh,, I really like the new PC and it works great.

My 2c..
Peace
Jeff....
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8.1 Pro 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built: Atomic City Computer
    CPU
    AMD A4-4000 3.0/3.2Ghz
    Motherboard
    MSI FM2-A55M-E33
    Memory
    8BG of Corsair DDR3 RAM
    Graphics Card(s)
    On Board
    Sound Card
    On Boardi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Viewsonic 27" VA2703
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 500GB, Crucial 120Gb SSD
    Case
    Thermaltake
    Cooling
    N/A
    Keyboard
    Corsair Raptor K40
    Mouse
    Amazon Generic Optical
    Internet Speed
    56Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox, Chrome and Opera
    Antivirus
    Micro Soft Defender
    Other Info
    Getting this on May 1st:
    AMD A8-6600K
Yea I think public perception of 8(et al) is a done deal, it simply cannot rebound. Those who like it will continue to sing its praises, long after they have switched to 9.

The rest of us will forget it rather quickly.


Yarp,, You can put a fork in Windows 8 right about now. Nothing can save that spaghetti. I just want to see what MS will do with Windows 9 but I don't think many users will upgrade to it either. Why?? Well most users have no idea on how to update an OS on any PC, Windows or any other OS from what I can tell. Hell, I just got a new PC Thursday and the BIOS was set up to boot to the HD first and not the CD/DVD. I had to adjust that in order to do a clean install of Windows 8.1 on mine. How many "average" users will know how to do that or do and upgrade?? Not that many I bet and the ones that do I bet few would want to risk the issues that might occur with an update.

Oh,, I really like the new PC and it works great.

My 2c..
Peace
Jeff....

And ya know, the biggest pity is that it didn't have to be this way, not at all. "Classic Shell" is all the proof anyone ought to need. I find absolutely nothing wrong 8/8.1, once Classic Shell is installed, tifkam buried away from sight. It would have been so very very easy for ms to do this, easy and very logical. Freakin 8 would have been heralded as an amazing piece of software.... instead of what it is viewed as today.

Pity.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
"Popular programs, such as Stardock's Start8, showed that Windows power users craved their Start Menu."

Windows power users craved? More like, helpless Windows users craved.

Real power users say, "Start Menu? We don't need no stinkin' Start menu!"
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro (desktop), W10 (laptop), W10 Pro (tablet)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home built i7-8700K, Hp Envy x360 EVO Laptop, MS Surface Pro 7
    CPU
    3.7Ghz Core i7-8700K, 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7 4.7Ghz, 10th Gen Core™ i5-1035G4 1.1Ghz
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z370-Pro Gaming, HP, MS
    Memory
    16G, 8G, 8G
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon RX580, Intel Iris X Graphics, Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4
    Sound Card
    ATI High Definition Audio (Built-in to mobo)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual Samsung U32J59 32 inch monitors, 13.3" display, 12.3" display
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 (Desktop), 1920x1080 (laptop), 2736x1824 Pro 7
    Hard Drives
    500GB ssd boot drive with 2 & 10TB Data (Desktop), 512GB ssd (laptop), 128GB SSD (tablet)
    PSU
    Corsair CX 750M
    Case
    Antec 100
    Cooling
    Coolermaster CM 212+
    Keyboard
    IBM Model M - used continuously since 1986
    Mouse
    Microsoft IntelliMouse
    Internet Speed
    665Mbps/15Mbps down/up
    Browser
    FireFox, MS Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender on all
    Other Info
    Retired in 2015 after working in the tech industry for 41 years. First 10 years as a Technician, the rest as a programmer/software engineer. After 1 year of retirement, I was bored so went back to work as a Robotic Process Automation Consultant. Retired for 3rd (and final) time in 2019.
"Popular programs, such as Stardock's Start8, showed that Windows power users craved their Start Menu."

Windows power users craved? More like, helpless Windows users craved.

Real power users say, "Start Menu? We don't need no stinkin' Start menu!"

:ditto:

What a bunch of FUD in that article. Now that I've learned the new system and experienced how fast the system's implementation of features such as Start Screen with live tiles' info and it's organizational means, All Apps, Store apps working in conjunction of one another, WinKey/Q for search with result page to reference to , Share and Devices in Charms , and I could go on with much more, I'd have a hard time going back to the likes of 7.

There's no discussion with the likes of a user like this dinosaur-like author. They seem to dislike the changes and never learn the system well enough to know the advantages of it. I dare say I can perform more tasks via this system before a so called "desktop system power user" could get their gun out of their holster. :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha....:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
HG, I can see your points and for 'us' system guys it is fun to discover a new system. Problem is that most people do not want to discover the OS. They just want to run their 3 applications from their 3 icons and not be bothered with fancy new system stuff.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
HG, I can see your points and for 'us' system guys it is fun to discover a new system. Problem is that most people do not want to discover the OS. They just want to run their 3 applications from their 3 icons and not be bothered with fancy new system stuff.
IMO, it's only fun when it's not annoying.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    n/a
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
    Case
    Tower
    Mouse
    Wired Optical
    Other Info
    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
    Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
Well, different things annoy different people. All depends on your level of patience and tolerance. I never get really annoyed by system stuff - but some is just plain stupid. Especially if it was only done to hammer down a 'strategy'.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Well, different things annoy different people. All depends on your level of patience and tolerance. I never get really annoyed by system stuff - but some is just plain stupid. Especially if it was only done to hammer down a 'strategy'.
Agreed.

When I first started using W7 Betas, I found the changes to be annoying compared to XP.
I might have been less annoyed if I had been exposed to Vista for longer than ~200 hours.

After a few weeks of combined use with XP, the annoyances didn't bother me as much.
There are at least 6 issues that still annoy me in W7.
I started using W7 for the majority of my computing, at least 3 months before the actual retail release date.

Despite using the 3 W8 Preview versions and W8.1 Enterprise Preview, in combination with W7, the annoyances still annoyed me, almost as much as they ever had.

I did find the W8.1 Enterprise Preview less annoying than the W8 Preview versions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    n/a
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
    Case
    Tower
    Mouse
    Wired Optical
    Other Info
    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
    Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
I am not really a fan of 8 and 8.1 either. I used it since the first days of the beta releases - even made a dozen tutorials about it - but I could never get really in tune with it.

I have 1 of the early RTMs that they sold for $40 which I run in a virtual partition just to stay up-to-date. And a second one installed on a system that came with 8.1. But that system is mainly used by my wife. I don't want to totally skip the Windows 8 era, but my workhorses are all Windows 7 and Linux Mint Mate.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Same solution as Vista: Windows 7

You fail to mention the best OS ever, one which doesn't show the slightest sign of age, is lightning fast with a perfect install on adequate hardware, strikingly beautiful as opposed to 8-ugly, and badly in need of a SP2 since MS actually thought they were going to smother it in its crib.

Not a chance. Business moving off of final XP is migrating almost lockstep to WIndows 7, assuring it a long life. It even has its own home which also happens to be the top tech forums on the web in history, SevenForums. Come visit us and we'll help you keep the best install of an OS possible.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7
You fail to mention the best OS ever, one which doesn't show the slightest sign of age, is lightning fast with a perfect install on adequate hardware, strikingly beautiful as opposed to 8-ugly, and badly in need of a SP2 since MS actually thought they were going to smother it in its crib.

Not a chance. Business moving off of final XP is migrating almost lockstep to WIndows 7, assuring it a long life. It even has its own home which also happens to be the top tech forums on the web in history, SevenForums. Come visit us and we'll help you keep the best install of an OS possible.

I've installed Windows 8 perfectly at least 30 times on various motherboards, CPU's and GPU's with zero issues.
7 as The Best OS ever? Wow.
I thought Linux Mint was the best OS ever.

You mean Windows 7 is better than OS X and Mac Pro or IPads?
After all, minus WinRT, what is 8?

Will 8.1.1 bring users back to what? To 7? Why not? ok.

Business is in alliance with compatibility and the bottom line.
Follow the money. Developers can get lazy or they are not funded.

I mean, really, how pretty an OS is rates more than features?
People are too lazy to read nowadays.
They might be better served to get a copy of your OS for dummies.

I have revisited 7 and found it lacking sparkle.
7 remains a valid choice but comes at a price.
Linux is free but is cryptic.
Apple is proprietary.

From what I have read,
the Classic Shell was developed in 2009 to replace the Windows 7 start menu?
Imagine that.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Server 2012 / 8.0
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel i7 QuadCore 3770k
    Motherboard
    Asrock Extreme 4
    Memory
    16GB Crucial Ballistix
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel embedded gpu
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster Z
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC / Westinghouse
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Plextor pcie msata
    PSU
    Rosewill Silent Night 500W Fanless / PicoPSU
    Case
    open bench - no case enclosure
    Cooling
    Silverstone HEO2 Passive Silent
    Keyboard
    logitech washable K310
    Mouse
    logitech wired
    Browser
    ie / maxthon
    Other Info
    Totally silent. No fans at all.
I am not really a fan of 8 and 8.1 either. I used it since the first days of the beta releases - even made a dozen tutorials about it - but I could never get really in tune with it.

I have 1 of the early RTMs that they sold for $40 which I run in a virtual partition just to stay up-to-date. And a second one installed on a system that came with 8.1. But that system is mainly used by my wife. I don't want to totally skip the Windows 8 era, but my workhorses are all Windows 7 and Linux Mint Mate.

Hi there
I hated W8 to start with -- W8.1 was better it's a bit more configurable.

However after trying various Linux distros (Used for a server for years) I've found Linux Mate (latest release 16 petra with KDE desktop) fulfils about 95% of my needs and I now only run windows as VM's on a laptop.

The hardware detection on my laptops was actually BETTER in Linux mate than in Windows 8 for things like built in webcam and card reader - dual card reader - PRO DUO sony and SD - Linux system recognizes those fine now and I share those with the VM via SAMBA - which these days is configurable with a nice GUI ( Linux mate users - apt-get install system-samba-config).

I use W7 for access to corporate I.T systems such as SAP and W8.1 for y Office 2010 / Photoshop and a few programs that I can't (or haven't) been able to find suitable replacements for.

The Linux Mint system boots up really fast and I can configure a MENU any way I want to. I can also run totally portable systems as well that run entirely of an external HDD. This type of facility is only offered by Windows in Windows 8/8.1 ENTERPRISE so it's not really readily available to the general user.

I can't see myself returning back to running Windows full time any more -- running these days as a VM it's about 99% native speed.

Linux has improved beyond all recognition these days - plug 'n play saves all those arduous mounts and weird lines in fstab and other configuration files and you can get a system TOTALLY HOW YOU WANT IT.

I don't like the modern GUI in Windows at all -- I even HATE the tile system on Mobile phones too -- but I've tolerated it on a mobile phone. - On a Laptop NO THANKS. I might review my strategy again when Windows 9 comes out but running Linux Mint 16 had been a pleasant experience with thankfully ZERO problems -- worked STRAIGHT OUT OF THE BOX !!!.

Linux networking WORKS -- I've often had problems with Windows shares / getting machines even to see each other.

Scr shot enc -- Linux host sharing data from built in dual slot card reader and for those interested the incredible powerful and easy SAMBA GUI configuration tool -- it's more WINDOWS than Windows !!!!!

(I'm beginning to think Linux Mint is the best OS ever -- OK it's slightly more difficult than installing Windows - but usually no probs with UEFI or whatever, install clean and easy and is lightning fast. Took me about 2 days to get used to it (I'd been using OPENSUSE - so getting used to a DEBIAN based system needed just little care -- new users are better off since you won't have to "Unlearn" a few things.

And BTW I LIKE the menu system - I've configured mine to look like the XP small menu but again configure HOW YOU LIKE !!! Windows should have used the same model.

(bottom screenshot shows menu).

Cheers
jimbo
 

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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)
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