Want a new laptop but do I want Windows 8?

[pacerron]

I bought my wife a Dell desktop box last week in a "brick and mortar" local store. They had nothing but W-8 available.
I have it opening on the Desktop but there are some things that just have to be done from the "Start" screen.
The 8.1 free update will be available on the Microsoft Store on the 18th.
The new Start Menu will still look like Windows 8 Start with a few minor changes, so I have read.
I know the trend is toward everybody having their computer in their wrist watch and with them and on, even in public restrooms :thumbdown:, like the Smart phones, but for us old folks who like large desktop monitors for our waning eyesight, for being able to easily get to the control panel, for editing photos without adjusting the screen tilt to the same angle each time, for being able to shutdown or reboot without having to go to the Start screen and hitting Alt-F4 a number of times, and most of all, in my case, not having to mess with cloud storage. We live in the country and the only available internet service is Satellite or old copper phone lines that are so slow you couldn't even download a Tuesday morning security update from MS.
If the 8.1 update is 3.7 Gig, like the 8.1 trial Microsoft put out, I doubt if I can even get it to download between 2-7 AM ( Hughes.net free time) plus 2 days allotment of 700 MB. If not the download speed will go to less than landline speed for 2 days.
The real problem, with all this cloud stuff for the many of us that are stuck with satellite, or cell tower plug in modules,
is the constant up and down from the cloud and all the constantly changing APP box windows on the Start page, is not going to leave much for real on-line computer use.
Luckily, my wife doesn't like computers and uses hers mainly to do emails to relatives. If I can keep her from looking at too many horse training videos, all will be fine..
Like one guy said previously.... have to learn to live with it.
Although the total lack of computer sales has pushed MS and computer manufacturers into thinking the desktop market may not be as dead as they thought.

 

[dmccarty]

You can get Win 7 on systems. I ordered two systems this year with Win 7 and not Win 8.

Win 8 sucks if you have used a previous version of Windows. Win 8 is designed to behave like a tablet or smart phone meaning the user interface works like a touch screen. Do you have a touch screen on your system? Do you want one? Do you want to have to learn new ways to move the mouse to mimic a touch screen? Do you enjoy spending precious time figuring out how to do something that on a previous version of Windows takes you a few clicks?

Win 8 is Microsofts attempt to drive you into THEIR eco system. They want you to use their email, app stores, media, search engine, etc. Since almost everyone is NOT using their ecosystem, you have to take their defaults and change how you work/access services, or you have to change quite a bit of the configuration.

When 8.1 is released it will be interesting to see how much MS reverts back to the Win 7 user interface. If they do not revert back I think they will have a tough time selling Win 8 into businesses due to the required retraining which will cost companies money. I don't think companies are going to buy an OS that cost them money.

I would NOT suggest buying Windows 8 to anyone who has used a previous version of Windows unless you like to spend time learning new ways to do things you already know how to do. I call that a waste of time myself. If the local store does not have Windows 7 available, order online. I have only bought one system in a store in over 30 years and the one system literally caught on fire. :shocked::laughing::laughing::laughing:

Later,
Dan

 

[houstonscott]

Just get a Mac, you don't want windows anything.

HS

 

[Xfaxman]

I've got it and can use it, but certainly don't like it as well as XP or Windows7. There was a recent thread on this, but I can't find it.

Here it is: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/290554-anyone-use-windows-8-a.html

I think a touch screen is the most important thing, to be able to adjust to Windows 8. Depending on how you use a laptop, the all in one may work for you.

My wife has a Sony Vaio Tap 20 all in one. It has a touch screen and came with Windows 8. She uses it for email and internet. It was a big learning curve for us senior citizens, but she likes it.



I am still on XP and a Dell Vostro 1700 laptop, but looking at the Dell XPS18 touch screen all in one.
XPS 18 Portable All-in-One Desktop | Dell

Here is another new all in one, the Lenovo Flex 20


Pictures from Google Image Search.

 

[Egbert]

Having run every version of Windows since its inception, I would flag Windows 7 as the best of all the releases. Windoze 8 is marginally bearable but is clearly not ready for prime-time.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Having run every version of Windows since its inception, I would flag Windows 7 as the best of all the releases. Windoze 8 is marginally bearable but is clearly not ready for prime-time.

Hopefully the update this month will correct many of the issues. It seems that those who use iPads and other tablets a lot are having fewer issues in getting used to the new interface. Almost bought one of the "All-in-One" computers with touch screen a few months ago, for the townhouse but, decided to wait and see how they workout.

Rick

 

[Bird]

Well, after much reading on the Internet, and visiting a couple of Best Buy stores, as well as talking to some other people besides our membes here on TBN, it seemed that the more I "researched" the more confused I got:laughing:; too many choices. But tonight I called Hewlett-Packard direct for a couple of questions, and I ordered a new HP Pavillion 17z-e000 laptop with Windows 8, so I'll have something new to learn.:laughing: I'll supposedly have 21 days from the time I receive it to decide whether I want to keep it, or send it back.

 

[J F]

Well, after much reading on the Internet, and visiting a couple of Best Buy stores, as well as talking to some other people besides our membes here on TBN, it seemed that the more I "researched" the more confused I got:laughing:; too many choices. But tonight I called Hewlett-Packard direct for a couple of questions, and I ordered a new HP Pavillion 17z-e000 laptop with Windows 8, so I'll have something new to learn.:laughing: I'll supposedly have 21 days from the time I receive it to decide whether I want to keep it, or send it back.

That perfectly describes a whole bunch of the "new" tractor wannabe buyers that come to this site (myself included). :laughing:

 

[J F]

That's a lot of :laughing:.

 

[Xfaxman]

Well, after much reading on the Internet, and visiting a couple of Best Buy stores, as well as talking to some other people besides our membes here on TBN, it seemed that the more I "researched" the more confused I got:laughing:; too many choices. But tonight I called Hewlett-Packard direct for a couple of questions, and I ordered a new HP Pavillion 17z-e000 laptop with Windows 8, so I'll have something new to learn.:laughing: I'll supposedly have 21 days from the time I receive it to decide whether I want to keep it, or send it back.

Did you try any laptops with a touch screen?

Let us know how this one and Windows 8 works for you. :thumbsup: