Windows 8.1 Review

[billi]

hi guys,
I've read a review about Windows 8.1 which seems to be saying that all in all win 8.1 is great especially for tablets but not for desktop.
I'm interested to know what other users feel, because I'm thinking about upgrading or maybe even switch to linux!?

BTW, here's the review: Review: Windows 8.1 stop fooling around ! | iWillFolo

What do you think?

 

[David Bailey]

I have 8.1 Pro.
I had to update several drivers to get it to work right.

After tweaking it a bit, I got it running in pretty good shape.

It takes getting used to.

I would suggest making a complete backup image of your present system using Macrium Reflect before upgrading to 8.1.

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

Then if you don't like 8.1 you can revert to your old system.

 

[alphanumeric]

8.1 was the tipping point for me as far as running it on my desktop PC. I now have 8.1 on three of the four PC's here at home. The other one is running 8.0. It too will eventually run 8.1 just haven't gotten around to upgrading it. Up until the 8.1 release I always ended up going back to 7 on my desktop PC's. I run triple monitors on my main desktop PC and Metro/The modern UI wasn't very multi monitor friendly until the 8.1 release. I'd like to see some more improvements but at least its usable for what I do. There is an enterprise trial you can run for free to see if you actually want to run windows 8.1. Download Windows 8.1 Enterprise Evaluation It's a close equivalent to 8.1 Pro.

 

[whs]

I think once you get used to it, it is OK. There are several little tweak programs to make it more tenable.

I still run all of my work in Windows 7 and Linux Mint Mate. I do have Windows 8.1 in a virtual partition only to prepare myself for the day I get a Windows tablet. Right now I am still happy with my Nexus 7 Android tablet.

 

[alphanumeric]

Try it you'll like it.







^ I'm just kidding around a bit. I didn't like it much originally but after using it for a while I've come to like it. If you read though some of the earlier threads here you'll see that for every h8ter there was a g8ter. If you have the time walk into your local computer store and play around with a display model so you can get a feel for it. The desktop side of things is the same way it always was just minus the traditional start menu. The programs I use every day I have pined to my taskbar and launch them from there. Other frequently used programs and Metro apps are on my main Metro Start Screen. I don't use any third party programs to put the old traditional start menu back. Its easily done though if that's your cup of tie.

 

[XweAponX]

I am happy with 8, not happy with 8.1. I am very unhappy with the removal of all DVD playing and burning functions from the OS, I never realised how deep that went until tonight, they totally scraped out all DVD functionality except for reading DVDs, but you cant PLAY them at all unless you have Media Center or a 3rd party program.

 

[alphanumeric]

What type of DVD? Won't play in Media Player?

 

[badtyper]

Well maybe some will get used to using Win8.1, but right now I use my old trusted Win7 everyday.

 

[Ron AKA]

hi guys,
I've read a review about Windows 8.1 which seems to be saying that all in all win 8.1 is great especially for tablets but not for desktop. I'm interested to know what other users feel, because I'm thinking about upgrading or maybe even switch to linux!?
What do you think?

I still have 8.0 and am delaying in upgrading to 8.0. I want to give all the drivers, BIOS, and W8 a chance to get bugs worked out. The issue with Windows 8 is not that it is great for tablets, and I am not even sure that it is. The issue is the imposition of the Metro interface. The Metro apps are mickey mouse at best, and the screen where you find them next to useless for a desktop, keyboard, and mouse user. However, you can get around that, and once you get the Metro annoyance out of the way the application itself is fine. I have one problem that is not resolved, and it appears more related to the x64 operating system than W8 itself. The Twain driver for my scanner is gone, and I gather there are no x84 Twain drivers.

If you have Windows 7, I would not upgrade to 8 unless you have a real compelling reason. Not enough difference to make it worth your effort. If you do decide to upgrade make sure you go direct to 8.1, and bypass 8.0. With 8.1 you can virtually eliminate the Metro interface, and make it look like a real Windows application. See how at link below:

Metro Haters Guide to 8.1

Microsoft could have avoided all this negative publicity if they would just detect on installation whether or not you have a touch screen or mouse/keyboard. They could based on the hardware set it up much more appropriately, instead of leaving the user holding the bag to sort it out.

 

[Rickkins]

Once I got the problem of run away chip use solved, I find it as good as 8, which I liked just fine, albeit strictly in Desktop Mode, with the aid of Classic Shell....

 

[MissFrance]

I have 8.1 Pro.
I had to update several drivers to get it to work right.

After tweaking it a bit, I got it running in pretty good shape.

It takes getting used to.

I would suggest making a complete backup image of your present system using Macrium Reflect before upgrading to 8.1.

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition - Information and download

Then if you don't like 8.1 you can revert to your old system.

Macrium Reflect FREE Edition
Thank you for the software.

 

[whs]

MissFrance, Here is a tutorial on how to deal with free Macrium.

Imaging with free Macrium - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[Frank1]

I like 8.1 and fortunately have not had any driver problems. As far as the start button is concerned, a friend of mine gave me a file that would install a start button pretty much like the one on Windows 7. I installed it and then after using it, I un-installed it because I'm so used to working without it, I really didn't need it. Actually, it just got in my way.

 

[Atomic77]

I love windows 8.1 im finding it be a lot faster then my computer that had vista on it.