Want a new laptop but do I want Windows 8?

Bird · Dec 2, 2013

Soundguy said:
hmm.. I might be grabbing that too ...

I've only gotten through the first 50 pages (of 345 pages) this morning and can't believe how much I've learned. For a fellow who's been using Windows 7, I'd certainly recommend the book. I've no experience with Windows 8, but I understand 8.1 gives you back the option of the desktop that works much as 7 does and that's what I've been using. However, with this book, I'm finding some neat features using the Start screen and the tiles.

Bird · Dec 2, 2013

pacerron said:
You can download it, "Windows 8.1 for Dumies" for free as an ebook ( without the "Seniors" in the title)

I did for my wife, but told her to just explore the buttons and see what happens. She hasn't opened the book and is getting
along fine.

I'm not sure what the difference is in the version without "Seniors" in the title, except perhaps the larger print. Certainly nothing wrong with an ebook, if that's what you like, but I still prefer printed books, manuals, and instructions for just about everything.

pacerron · Dec 2, 2013

Bird said:
I'm not sure what the difference is in the version without "Seniors" in the title, except perhaps the larger print. Certainly nothing wrong with an ebook, if that's what you like, but I still prefer printed books, manuals, and instructions for just about everything.

Bird,
Probably nothing different than the price.

You know how adding a specialty name/title to something connotes a higher price.

I like printed books too but with failing eyesight the reading feature in the Metro version of 8.1 is really great. Full screen pages and the next page/pages are preloaded so all you have to do is hit the right or left arrow keys or the little hidden arrow that pops up on the screen when your mouse is near.

If you have a "smeartop laptop" all you do is guide the page over with your greasy finger.
I was disappointed that IE 11 for Windows 7 doesn't have that read feature, or at least I haven't found it if it does.

My son was here over Thanksgiving and brought along a Dell notepad or whatever you call it; a screen that is about 10" and can be used flat as a pad, held up and rotated 90 deg which makes the page flip to portrait mode, or used as a laptop by swinging the screen up in a frame from the base which reveals a keyboard. It has the finger smear feature and he admitted the buttons in the taskbar in desktop mode were too small to control well.

Nice gimmick for traveling and being small. He took it to Thailand recently on a trip to view pictures he took, checking the web for travel security bulletins, etc.
but rarely uses it in the US. He uses a smart phone for most travels to keep in touch.

Bird · Dec 2, 2013

I don't have a "smear top":laughing: but of course the kids do. The son-in-law who works on these things has one like you describe, but he recommended against it for laptop computers; too much trouble to keep your greasy fingerprints cleaned off. On the other hand, one of my brothers says he likes his Dell laptop with Windows 8 (hasn't upgraded to 8.1), but says he wishes he'd gotten one with the touchscreen. He bought one with the touchscreen for his granddaughter who will be graduating from high school this next summer. Our younger daughter and granddaughter got back Saturday from a 9 day trip to Germany; an 11 hour flight and of course they have the tablets, smart phones, and goodness knows what else.

I just finished Chapter 3 (86 pages) of this book. The more I read (and experiment as I go) the better I like both the book and Windows 8.1. Of course there's lots of "neat features" that I have no need for, but it's nice to at least know about them, and have a book in which I can look up the instructions if I need to.

pacerron · Dec 2, 2013

Bird said:
I don't have a "smear top":laughing: but of course the kids do. The son-in-law who works on these things has one like you describe, but he recommended against it for laptop computers; too much trouble to keep your greasy fingerprints cleaned off. On the other hand, one of my brothers says he likes his Dell laptop with Windows 8 (hasn't upgraded to 8.1), but says he wishes he'd gotten one with the touchscreen. He bought one with the touchscreen for his granddaughter who will be graduating from high school this next summer. Our younger daughter and granddaughter got back Saturday from a 9 day trip to Germany; an 11 hour flight and of course they have the tablets, smart phones, and goodness knows what else.

I just finished Chapter 3 (86 pages) of this book. The more I read (and experiment as I go) the better I like both the book and Windows 8.1. Of course there's lots of "neat features" that I have no need for, but it's nice to at least know about them, and have a book in which I can look up the instructions if I need to.

Sounds like time for a nap to let all that good knowledge sink in

You know what they say about us old guys... when we go to the other end of the room and can't remember why we went there in the first place.
We never forget anything, it's just that we have had so many life experiences we can't remember which folder we stored them in.
I kind of have that problem remembering which subfolder and name I put on it when hunting for computer data.:laughing:

EDIT: I just remembered I haven't read "Windows 98 for Dummies" yet.

Soundguy · Dec 2, 2013

pacerron said:
You can download it, "Windows 8.1 for Dumies" for free as an ebook ( without the "Seniors" in the title)

I did for my wife, but told her to just explore the buttons and see what happens. She hasn't opened the book and is getting
along fine.

i'm getting along.. but a quick tips might be nice.

Midniteoyl · Dec 2, 2013

Getting started tutorials for Windows - Microsoft Windows

http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/windows-81-tips

pacerron · Dec 3, 2013

If any of you prefer to use "Hibernate" rather than sleep in W 8.1 here is how to get that option to appear when right clicking the menu symbol in desktop mode or
closing the lock screen in Metro mode to see the power button. Or press the Windows key + X

Shut down (turn off), sleep, or hibernate - Microsoft Windows Help

The sleep option will remain if you want to use it. I prefer hibernate since it saves more power and keeps the
pc from waking up every night and remaining on till I notice it or see the wireless blinking and physically take action.

If you plan to remotely go to the pc from another device it may not wake from hibernation from another location.

Since I don't do that and Soundguy said they would not do that either, being in hibernate adds more security from the bad guys.

Bird · Dec 7, 2013

I finished the book, Windows 8.1 for Seniors for Dummies, this morning. I'm sure some of you, who are much more knowledgeable than I, don't need it, but I'm glad I bought it. I learned a lot, won't claim to remember more than a little bit of what I learned, but I'll keep the book handy for future reference.