2-for-1: Can Windows 8 satisfy both the desktop and the tablet?

Microsoft presented itself an enormous task when it started development of Windows 8: Produce an operating system that could go toe-to-toe with iOS and Android in the touch-driven tablet space while still preserving the value of Windows' considerable history on the desktop.

This complex problem has challenged Microsoft for about two decades. For 20 years the company tried to ship touch-driven (generally stylus-driven) tablets that used the conventional Windows front-end, hoping a smattering of extra utilities—an on-screen keyboard that floated over the Windows UI, boxes to contain handwriting—would be enough to convert a mouse-driven operating system into a tablet platform.

These tablet machines never achieved substantial success. Apple's iOS, first released in 2007, demonstrated that touch machines could find enormous success as long as their interface was sympathetic to both the constraints imposed by touch—imprecision, obstruction of the view—and its novel capabilities. Before Windows 7 was finished (and before Apple had even announced plans to produce an iOS-running tablet) Microsoft started work on developing such a user interface for Windows.

2-for-1: Can Windows 8 satisfy both the desktop and the tablet?

 

[zigzag3143]

Interesting Thanks

 

[Coke Robot]

I say, Windows 8 will not only satisfy, but leave tablet users smiling.

For the desktop, I think it will do splendid.

 

[Boastree]

It will win both if the RC and Retail give the PC user a choice...to have an acutal desktop at boot...a start menu, eliminate the ribon in the windows explorer (again as an option). In other words allow pc users to return to the intrface that has PROVEN its productivity. The beauty is in choice.

 

[4rtt64ressss]

Even as a desktop user I can find some use for the Metro UI. Once you get familiar with it, you will discover some neat shortcuts. I think Microsoft has made a good decision by making Metro the default in the Consumer Preview, thus forcing people to use it and get used to it.

 

[Boastree]

Even as a desktop user I can find some use for the Metro UI. Once you get familiar with it, you will discover some neat shortcuts. I think Microsoft has made a good decision by making Metro the default in the Consumer Preview, thus forcing people to use it and get used to it.

The operative is "force people to use it" One of the freedoms that was won with our efforts is the freedom to forfit your freedom...but not mine. If given no choice I will make my own.

 

[Lee]

Truly cannot see any reason why it can't. . .

Of course there are still those XP, and now Win 7 users who will swear that it won't.

 

[Dave76]

I think Win8 can satisfy both desktop and tablet users.

There should be easier options for the people that want to configure it to their preference.

- Boot to desktop
- Legacy start menu

As far as the the ribbon on explorer, it is minimized by default, so shouldn't be an issue.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview is a free trial that allows MS to have the OS tested and gauge the users responses to the new features.
If they added all the options to disable the new features from the start many people wouldn't even try them.
Everyone is resistant to change, it's human nature, a little push to get more people to try the new features is expected. I think many will dislike it at first and then come around after they find a way to make it useful for themselves.
Some will reject it outright after five minutes of use, that is fine as Windows 7 is a great OS and no one is being forced to use anything they do not like but, change is inevitable and also a choice.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Boot to Desktop

Fire up Windows Explorer and navigate over to your Windows directory.
Do a search for “shows desktop,” and copy the shortcut that you find into the following location:

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
​

By doing so, you’ll ensure that Windows 8 always boots to the “Classic Desktop” instead of its Metro UI.

From MaximumPC
Maximum PC | The Big Guide: 20 Tips and Tricks to Get The Most Out of Windows 8 - Page 2

 

[Lee]

Fire up Windows Explorer and navigate over to your Windows directory.
Do a search for “shows desktop,” and copy the shortcut that you find into the following location:

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
​

By doing so, you’ll ensure that Windows 8 always boots to the “Classic Desktop” instead of its Metro UI.

From MaximumPC
Maximum PC | The Big Guide: 20 Tips and Tricks to Get The Most Out of Windows 8 - Page 2

Thanks, good info.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Someone else's good work

Fire up Windows Explorer and navigate over to your Windows directory.
Do a search for “shows desktop,” and copy the shortcut that you find into the following location:

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
​

By doing so, you’ll ensure that Windows 8 always boots to the “Classic Desktop” instead of its Metro UI.

From MaximumPC
Maximum PC | The Big Guide: 20 Tips and Tricks to Get The Most Out of Windows 8 - Page 2

Thanks, good info.

I'd like to claim credit for discovering it, but I can't.
I followed a link on another thread (which seems to have been deleted) and there it was.

Note:
I haven't tried it, so I can't vouch for its effectiveness.

I deleted the CP, before I tried to "Upgrade" the DP.
Turns out that you can't perform an "Upgrade" on a VHD.
No real loss as the DP works OK and I can't abide using an OS that won't install my sound driver (no music or videos).

 

[Lee]

^^^^^
Never give credit to anyone else unless you are sure you will get in trouble for not giving credit to someone else. . .

 

[Boastree]

Fire up Windows Explorer and navigate over to your Windows directory.
Do a search for “shows desktop,” and copy the shortcut that you find into the following location:

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup.
​

By doing so, you’ll ensure that Windows 8 always boots to the “Classic Desktop” instead of its Metro UI.

From MaximumPC
Maximum PC | The Big Guide: 20 Tips and Tricks to Get The Most Out of Windows 8 - Page 2

Very good tip-thank you.

 

[SIW2]

Oh yes, that one.

You should find it in winsxs with wcp.

 

[LOVE8]

I say, Windows 8 will not only satisfy, but leave tablet users smiling.

For the desktop, I think it will do splendid.

Once people get used to it I think it will take-off and Microsoft is counting on that.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
For smaller tablets and netbooks W8 needs apps to be able to run with a 600 screen size width definition otherwize it's not going to work.

For some apps 720 is the smallest allowable !!.

You can't always plug your device into a larger external monitor.

Otherwise W8 will do fine.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[Boastree]

Here is a thought...you know you are doing well and your future is pretty good when your only real competition is your own Operating System...Win7 vs Win8 for the PC.

 

[4rtt64ressss]

Here is a thought...you know you are doing well and your future is pretty good when your only real competition is your own Operating System...Win7 vs Win8 for the PC.

I agree.. would be a completely different scenario if Mac OS X was made to work with most hardware. I myself like OSX because I use it for editing photos, but I can't afford an iMac/Mac Pro and my Macbook is considerably slower than my AMD desktop.

I find Win8 to be an improvement over Win7 because of it's updated file manager. Handling files is more integrated with the OS and therefore easier and faster!

 

[SIW2]

Here is a thought...you know you are doing well and your future is pretty good when your only real competition is your own Operating System...Win7 vs Win8 for the PC.

That's a good point.

I like this quote from one of our Russian commentators:

Microsoft ...aims to create a single interface for mobile devices and desktops classic... this is frankly incompatible ...the devices are of different classes and solve a completely different problem.

The revised method of interaction ...gives me a feeling as if a stool in front of me turned and made to sit astride the legs.

Motivation can be the same: legs are thinner, lighter, and have stupid board with lacquered surface, which might distract my ass instead of just sitting.

 

[Dave76]

The Russian expressed that well.