Windows 8--opinions.

DalekBrittany
DalekBrittany Posts: 1,748 Member
in Chit-Chat
I just got a new laptop, which I love, but I am still not sure how I feel about Windows 8. I feel like it isn't very user friendly and seems more like something better suited for a phone or tablet than a PC. I couldn't even figure out how the hell to use the new paint! I had to Google it! :laugh: I am still trying to get used to it. I will say the calendar is really handy though.

I'm just curious, because it seems like people only like every other Windows OS, and could do without the ones in between! Anyone else think that it's not user friendly? Any other opinions?
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Replies

  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    I'm annoyed as heck that it took me so long to figure out how to shut down the damn thing.

    And I think it's fugly.
  • So_Much_Fab
    So_Much_Fab Posts: 1,146 Member
    I'm annoyed as heck that it took me so long to figure out how to shut down the damn thing.

    HAHA, you're not the only one - I had to Google it to find the answer!
  • TheBeerRunner
    TheBeerRunner Posts: 2,777 Member
    It is an awful experience on a non-touch based platform. It would be a great OS on a tablet or phone, but it's functionally useless on a desktop or laptop without touch inputs. Even then, I don't know... I'm sticking with Windows 7 for the time being.
  • sixout
    sixout Posts: 3,128 Member
    Agreed with the above. I have a touchscreen laptop, and it's ok. Just takes some getting used to. I would detest it on a non touchscreen interface though.
  • tbodega
    tbodega Posts: 186
    I've used it and have gone back to Windows 7. The basic functions of an OS should be intuitive and everything else should be out of the way. Windows 8 modern interface is ugly and not practical on a standard pc. It should be an optional interface like Media center, but for touchscreens and tablets.
  • pennydreadful270
    pennydreadful270 Posts: 266 Member
    Horrid, I really dislike it and it looks really unprofessional for business users. Our work put a add-on to it to get the start menu back as well. I do not know why they didn't bring out seperate touchscreen/desktop versions. I like using amouse, it is far quicker and more accurate than a touchscreen, especially with a traditional monitor setup. We would all having aching shoulders and back if we went the touchscreen route.

    I bought a laptop with windows 7 to avoid it and hopefully it will last long enough to hop it.
  • dalehall64
    dalehall64 Posts: 290 Member
    I purchased a new desktop a few weeks ago with 8 on it. There is a massive learning curve to it, but I'm starting to get the hang of it and I'm liking it pretty good now. Yes, I had to Google quite a few things becuase I couldn't figyure them out on my own and didn't want to watch the included videos. Although, it is designed for a touch screen, but it works just fine with the mouse also. Learning to switch from the "Xbox looking screen" to the "normal" windows looking side was a frustration saver for me. My only issue was the mail program it comes with doesn't allow connectivity to an POP3 mail server and I had to make an Outlook account so I could get my emails. (My two servers don't have IMAP options yet) But, overall, I'm starting to like Windows 8.
  • MommaChocoLatte
    MommaChocoLatte Posts: 389 Member
    I have it on my laptop that I bought at Christmas time. I just keep it on my desktop and I dont really use the "apps" so it doesn't bother me so much. I really only use it to surf the interwebz anyway. Now if I were doing anything else... I'd hate it.
  • Cp731
    Cp731 Posts: 3,195 Member
    I had a tough time when I 1st got mine, it literally sat next to me on the couch for a month as I used my old comp.
    I started playing with it one night and now I love it. It took a few weeks to get the hang of it.
    There are so many narley features.
    Just mess around with it.
  • DalekBrittany
    DalekBrittany Posts: 1,748 Member
    I've used it and have gone back to Windows 7. The basic functions of an OS should be intuitive and everything else should be out of the way. Windows 8 modern interface is ugly and not practical on a standard pc. It should be an optional interface like Media center, but for touchscreens and tablets.

    I agree. They have some cute backgrounds to spruce it up, but if I personalized it so that only the things I need or want are on my home screen, there would be like 5 tiles and it'd be even more ugly. I can't even figure out how the hell to go back to my settings so I can get this freaking tool bar outta here every time I accidentally swipe my mouse too close to the right side...
  • Ender126
    Ender126 Posts: 44
    Windows OS always has the same pattern... Good, suck, good, suck, ECT

    Just wait until Windows 9 lol

    In my opinion Windows 7 was pretty much perfection... Why change perfection SO quick?!?!?
  • DalekBrittany
    DalekBrittany Posts: 1,748 Member
    Windows OS always has the same pattern... Good, suck, good, suck, ECT

    Just wait until Windows 9 lol

    In my opinion Windows 7 was pretty much perfection... Why change perfection SO quick?!?!?

    Yes! Exactly! Windows 7 was good and extremely user friendly! Unfortunately the laptop we had crapped out and we try to stay away from used or refurb things when it comes to electronics, so we didn't have the option to get 7. -sigh- I miss it.
  • jeslaughter
    jeslaughter Posts: 131 Member
    I purchased a new desktop a few weeks ago with 8 on it. There is a massive learning curve to it, but I'm starting to get the hang of it and I'm liking it pretty good now. Yes, I had to Google quite a few things becuase I couldn't figyure them out on my own and didn't want to watch the included videos. Although, it is designed for a touch screen, but it works just fine with the mouse also. Learning to switch from the "Xbox looking screen" to the "normal" windows looking side was a frustration saver for me. My only issue was the mail program it comes with doesn't allow connectivity to an POP3 mail server and I had to make an Outlook account so I could get my emails. (My two servers don't have IMAP options yet) But, overall, I'm starting to like Windows 8.

    I feel the same...my LT was getting to me, I hate Windows 8 but getting used to things on it now...I am having issues with the mail too but use webmail so it works for me....wish I could have gotten Windows 7 thou.
  • shinitaru
    shinitaru Posts: 25 Member
    I tried it out for 6 month then reverted back to good ole, trusty, reliable, familiar Win7. I will wait a while, maybe MS will fix it or maybe they will just abandon it like they did with Millenium & Vista...
  • shinitaru
    shinitaru Posts: 25 Member
    I tried it out for 6 month then reverted back to good ole, trusty, reliable, familiar Win7. I will wait a while, maybe MS will fix it or maybe they will just abandon it like they did with Millennium & Vista...
  • shinitaru
    shinitaru Posts: 25 Member
    oops, srry for the double post
  • UnwrappingCandy
    UnwrappingCandy Posts: 418 Member
    I am really happy to see this thread. I have been thinking about buying a new laptop, but everything is coming with Windows 8. My current laptop is working almost as well as when I bought it so I will keep it for now. Maybe Windows 9 will be better.
  • TK266
    TK266 Posts: 3,638 Member
    It makes me bang my head against the table. I have used many variations of Windows OS over the year and 8 is by far the the most frustrating to learn (yes there were buggier version and less stable one). I can see where they are trying to go with it, but I if I want a table style interface, I would buy a tablet.

    I am a late adopter of new operating systems to begin with, and OS 8 just makes me feel better about waiting.
  • KCoolBeanz
    KCoolBeanz Posts: 813 Member
    I hate Windows 8 - find it really disjointed. The only reason I got it on my laptop is becuase Dell was actually charging more for Windows 7 machines at the time.
  • So_Much_Fab
    So_Much_Fab Posts: 1,146 Member
    I hate having to flip back and forth between the tiles or whatever the heck they're called and the 'normal' desktop. It's like having two OS's in one...two completely different setups.

    I'll keep it because I'm lazy and don't want to buy/install 7, but if Win9 ends up being an improvement, I'll be all over that in a heartbeat.
  • ACepero79
    ACepero79 Posts: 711 Member
    I really enjoy. Maybe its because I use it with dual monitors. I have the usual interface on the left monitor and the Start screen on the right monitor. I love the live tiles for my RSS feeds, news, sports, and social media. I, too, had to look up certain things because I couldn't find them. And occasionally I'll fumble on trying to open up an app that I use often, but there's always a solution. I can either pin the app to the Start screen or add a shortcut to the other screen.
  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    Windows OS always has the same pattern... Good, suck, good, suck, ECT

    Just wait until Windows 9 lol

    In my opinion Windows 7 was pretty much perfection... Why change perfection SO quick?!?!?

    ^^This!

    I hate Windows 8 and loved Windows 7. I read somewhere that Microsoft is doing some sort of fix to make Windows 8 more user friendly.
  • Ender126
    Ender126 Posts: 44
    Windows OS always has the same pattern... Good, suck, good, suck, ECT

    Just wait until Windows 9 lol

    In my opinion Windows 7 was pretty much perfection... Why change perfection SO quick?!?!?

    ^^This!

    I hate Windows 8 and loved Windows 7. I read somewhere that Microsoft is doing some sort of fix to make Windows 8 more user friendly.

    They will be releasing Windows 8.1 "Blue" as it's been called since it's development shortly. They say it's more user friendly but I'm not a Windows 8 user so I can't really make an informed statement.

    Windows 8.1 (Blue) will be free too, so at least you're not getting charged twice.
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    W8 is just W7 with a touch screen friendly interface. Unless you have a touch screen then W8 has nothing for you.
    No other performance enhancements can be found anywhere within the OS update.
    If you have a W7 machine DO NOT UPGRADE to W8.
    W8 only runs properly on machines specifically built for it.
    If you put it on a W7 machine, within a very short time it will lock you out of your hard drive. The only way to get use of the machine again it is run a factory system restore to W7. Believe me, that sucks.

    My preference? Unless you absolutely have to have Windows, buy a Linux built machine from Zareason,com
  • Ender126
    Ender126 Posts: 44
    W8 is just W7 with a touch screen friendly interface. Unless you have a touch screen then W8 has nothing for you.
    No other performance enhancements can be found anywhere within the OS update.
    If you have a W7 machine DO NOT UPGRADE to W8.
    W8 only runs properly on machines specifically built for it.
    If you put it on a W7 machine, within a very short time it will lock you out of your hard drive. The only way to get use of the machine again it is run a factory system restore to W7. Believe me, that sucks.

    My preference? Unless you absolutely have to have Windows, buy a Linux built machine from Zareason,com

    I was wondering when one of those darned "LINUX/UNIX" guys were going to show up... lol
  • jujunnaichi
    jujunnaichi Posts: 86
    I upgraded my laptop from Windows 7 to Windows 8 and used it for a few months. I ended up downgrading back to Windows 7 because it kept crashing and giving me the "new" blue screen of death.

    I also have a desktop running on Kubuntu and much more satisfied with it especially in comparison with Windows 8.
  • Mr_Bad_Example
    Mr_Bad_Example Posts: 2,403 Member
    I just got a new laptop, which I love, but I am still not sure how I feel about Windows 8. I feel like it isn't very user friendly and seems more like something better suited for a phone or tablet than a PC. I couldn't even figure out how the hell to use the new paint! I had to Google it! :laugh: I am still trying to get used to it. I will say the calendar is really handy though.

    I'm just curious, because it seems like people only like every other Windows OS, and could do without the ones in between! Anyone else think that it's not user friendly? Any other opinions?

    I've used XP, Vista, and Windows 7 - haven't seen 8 or been interested in it, frankly. I keep copies of XP around and install it on all of my computers... of course, Linux is also a good option (Ubuntu or Mint are both pretty user friendly).

    But yeah - Windows died when Vista was released.
  • crista_b
    crista_b Posts: 1,192 Member
    It is an awful experience on a non-touch based platform. It would be a great OS on a tablet or phone, but it's functionally useless on a desktop or laptop without touch inputs. Even then, I don't know... I'm sticking with Windows 7 for the time being.
    ^ This!

    I don't have it myself, but my boyfriend just bought a new laptop a few months ago that came with it, and we've both been messing around with it, and the first thing I said was "Why on earth did they try to put a touch-screen tablet-style OS on a PC???" My boyfriend HATES it. He works in IT so he can usually adapt to changes in computers, but he still rarely uses his laptop, and just uses the desktop in his room with Windows 7. He said he thinks he's just going to "downgrade" his laptop to 7 because he hates 8 so much.



    ETA: Go Hawks!!!
  • MG_Fit
    MG_Fit Posts: 1,143 Member
    It is an awful experience on a non-touch based platform. It would be a great OS on a tablet or phone, but it's functionally useless on a desktop or laptop without touch inputs. Even then, I don't know... I'm sticking with Windows 7 for the time being.

    HAWKS!
  • Monica_SanDiego
    Monica_SanDiego Posts: 15 Member
    Hate it. Hate it. Hate it. I got a new lap top for Christmas and it's just such a pain to use. I hate the tiles and took me forever to figure out how to find the desk top.

    Monica.

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