What do normal people think of new Windows 8 PCs?

One thing that’s fascinating about HSN is that it’s a community made up of people who are very different from the tech bloggers and gadget addicts that tend to hang around places like this.

Hipsters and techies might scoff at HSN, whose habitués are about as far as you can get from Silicon Valley and Williamsburg when it comes to tech and design sophistication, but HSN shoppers buy a lot of technology. And because they’re a community, they love to leave reviews. It is no accident that every HSN listing for a Windows 8 PC has a Pinterest button alongside the Facebook Like and Tweet This buttons.

So I was particularly eager to read the first reactions to these new devices from, for lack of a better word, normal people.

Source

Do any normal people post here?

A Guy

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

Typical reaction in our country :
.. I need a stiff drink --where's the nearest Pub. !!!

(but we aren't "Normal People" here --are we !!).

Cheers
jimbo

 

[azasadny]

Two of my friends just got Win8, one on a new desktop and the other installed it on a year-old laptop and they both love it and have no issues so far...

 

[Max Peck]

Hi there

Typical reaction in our country :
.. I need a stiff drink --where's the nearest Pub. !!!

(but we aren't "Normal People" here --are we !!).

Cheers
jimbo

"Normal" people don't hang out with nuts like us. Who besides us developers and tecchies even bother discussing OPERATING SYSTEMS? No one I know!

-Max

 

[Max Peck]

Two of my friends just got Win8, one on a new desktop and the other installed it on a year-old laptop and they both love it and have no issues so far...

It's a real toss of the coin as to whether someone will like Win8 or not. In my case I only know of one person (so far) who has bought a new system with it installed and he hated it.

-Max

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Hi there

Typical reaction in our country :
.. I need a stiff drink --where's the nearest Pub. !!!

(but we aren't "Normal People" here --are we !!).

Cheers
jimbo

"Normal" people don't hang out with nuts like us. Who besides us developers and tecchies even bother discussing OPERATING SYSTEMS? No one I know!

-Max

Lol!! Yea and they hate it when I mention anything about such matters at a bar! It's like mentioning anything of politics or religion. One is better off keeping quiet about it!

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Two of my friends just got Win8, one on a new desktop and the other installed it on a year-old laptop and they both love it and have no issues so far...

It's a real toss of the coin as to whether someone will like Win8 or not. In my case I only know of one person (so far) who has bought a new system with it installed and he hated it.

-Max

Yes, it seems this one's a love or hate it OS and no in between ground.

 

[pparks1]

I don't hate it. But given a choice, I don't choose it. But if I bought a new pc that came with 8, I would keep it.

I know how to use it, but it frustrates me when I do use it.

 

[whs]

Hi Tony, are you a therapist because you

stretch our patients

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Hi Tony, are you a therapist because you

stretch our patients

You got me! I have to admit, that is quite humorous! The error is corrected.

But, you should know that I don't get mad, I get even....

Therapist?!! Why yes! How did you guess?!! Along with Cokie, mdmd, Mystere, Arpan, Lee, gazz9496, and so many other 8 fans of which I hate to leave out. We're all Windows 8 therapists. Would you like to lay on the couch to begin a session for all to diagnose your condition?

 

[whs]

I am glad you took it with humor. But thank you anyhow - I am too old for the couch.

 

[gazz9496]

Hi Tony, are you a therapist because you

stretch our patients

You got me! I have to admit, that is quite humorous! The error is corrected.

But, you should know that I don't get mad, I get even....

Therapist?!! Why yes! How did you guess?!! Along with Cokie, mdmd, Mystere, Arpan, Lee, gazz9496, and so many other 8 fans of which I hate to leave out. We're all Windows 8 therapists. Would you like to lay on the couch to begin a session for all to diagnose your condition?

therapist...i'm a realist...and normal i tell you!! I'm normal!!

<....runs away cackling

 

[Fredledingue]

Normal poeple see that all new PCs and laptops are advertised with a Metro Start Screen displayed on the monitor so they think it's the normal screen for new computers.

---

They also think it's cool because it's new, and they didn't see that last year. So to make sure they got the last up to date stuff they want that Metro Start Screen on ther new computer.

---

By playing with it a little bit, they will click on the Show Desktop tile by mistake or by curiousity and think they are huge geeks because they have found a way to use a desktop console, which they believe is for experts only.

---

And of course nobody will discuss an "OS". They will discuss "their computer" which has an OS like that.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

I am glad you took it with humor. But thank you anyhow - I am too old for the couch.

Indeed I did. I know it's all in fun.

My children, which are all grown, are beginning to comment on how set in my ways I'm getting and cranky at times. I tell them to get used to it for I have the right to be. I'm old.

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Hi Tony, are you a therapist because you

You got me! I have to admit, that is quite humorous! The error is corrected.

But, you should know that I don't get mad, I get even....

Therapist?!! Why yes! How did you guess?!! Along with Cokie, mdmd, Mystere, Arpan, Lee, gazz9496, and so many other 8 fans of which I hate to leave out. We're all Windows 8 therapists. Would you like to lay on the couch to begin a session for all to diagnose your condition?

therapist...i'm a realist...and normal i tell you!! I'm normal!!

<....runs away cackling

Lol! Runs away from the men in white pants and jackets.....

 

[DustSailor]

I'm normal in the sense that I don't work in the tech field but I love computers. I'm not biased in the sense that I prefer apple iTunes and ipods to anything from any other company, while still preferring MS computers to anything else by any other company. These preferences are based purely on my likes and desires and nothing dealing with 'fanboyism'.

I prefer Win8 to any other OS out there. I like the way MS is going. Admittedly, they could do better.
First off, until I asked, it was hard to get used to how things ran, especially the 'metro' differences from Win7 to 8. Took some time of searching for answers before I got used to it. I imagine it would be just as difficult for many other people. There was no tutorial I could find on the OS, which I think should have been included. But after using it, Windows 7 is starting to look like [the updated version of] Windows Vista from the 7 point of view. I got some fun free games downloaded, I've enjoyed the MS store including the video app, etc. The ease of download and installation was incredible. I wouldn't ever want to go back, but at the same time feel remorse for the people who are having a difficult time using it for the first or second time. All I can say is stick with it, ask questions, and enjoy

 

[chris1neji]

I am going to share a small paragraph describing an experience from my younger brother.
I had my computer open for him to use it while I was at work away. So I let him be on it, I think he was on it for like 5 hours. His experience with computers is minimal doesn't know much he comes to me for help. Anyways I ask him if it felt different, he said no. I asked him, doesn't it feel weird without a start button. "Oh,.... I didn't even notice it" walks up to the keyboard and presses the windows key. "I am sure I can get use to it, is not that different".

I think that's how most people will feel, a few minor annoyance for people may be shutting down the PC, I am willing to bet manufacturers will add a shortcut to the Modern start screen and label it shutdown


Personally I love how well it brings my favorites and such things from one desktop to a laptop, I truly see it's selling point. I think users with multiple devices will appreciate it the most.

 

[michiganmike]

Yep, here I am , a Normal Guy ( I Think). 62 years old.
Four days ago I bought an HP Desktop Windows to update from a 2005 HP Windows XP.
I'm still struggling, because YES it is nothing like what I was used to. I still haven't Transferred files yet....kinda waiting, until I'm comfortable with it. I don't look at it as better or worse, just TOTALLY different.

Purchased a t650 Logitech pad with it.

Mostly I'm thrilled that it's so much faster than my XP.....but I'm swayed visually by going from a 19"CRT to a 27" LG LCD, which on the drive home I was worrying that it would be TOO big, but, no, it's NOT!
I'm the kind of guy that struggles with even using a Forum , like this. I spend a lot of time learning things....on a different post it was recommended that I make a Recovery Disc right away........so far I've only been able to figure out how to do a System Backup to my outboard FreeAgent Hard Drive.
The highlight of this evening was getting the Player working for my favorite Internet Radio Station, RadioFreeTexas.....my old system would start playing just by opening the site, but on this new one, I realized I had to select Window Media Player.....simple, only after you've figured it out.
Personally, I think that Windows 8 Was Created for use on MS Tablets and Phones, the way that the General Public is trending, away from Desktops, or even Laptops, because most people just want to stay in touch with friends/family and surf the Web.

Mike in Battle Creek, Michigan......................waiting for Snow that probably won't come, rain though

 

[HippsieGypsie]

Welcome to EightForums, michiganmike, my fellow Midwesterner. It's good to have you. Happy Holidays.

I read your posts and yes, quite the jump of the great divide from XP to 8! You may want to read suggestions on first-thing time savers and personalization at the bottom of the OP here:

www.eightforums.com/showthread.php?t=9402

I'm in northern Illinois getting very little snow as of now. Looking at the weather, I don't think this will amount to much. For us anyway.

Good luck in the learning process. Again, it's good to have you.

 

[Max Peck]

I am glad you took it with humor. But thank you anyhow - I am too old for the couch.

No one is "too old" for the couch ... that is if the couch is being used for naps!

-Max

 

[whs]

I am glad you took it with humor. But thank you anyhow - I am too old for the couch.

No one is "too old" for the couch ... that is if the couch is being used for naps!

-Max

My couches are too short. I prefer the bed.