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Windows 8 ||Review||
13 years ago
So a few of you already know that I have Windows 8 right now. And to be honest, I am quite loving it, despite the small flaws. However with each update, it seems to perform better. I've had it for almost two weeks now, and no crash.
For those of you who'd like to upgrade without the hassle of formatting your hard drive, fret not! There is three options to install. Upgrade, Custom, and Clean. Usually- custom was the last option to 'upgrade', only keeping your personal files whilist breaking every damn game and app you had. Well, Windows 8 has a REAL upgrade option- installing the OS over Windows 7, while NOT breaking the games. Your desktop will be almost exactly how you left it. Everything. and I mean: EVERYTHING still works. Before install, it will tell you what programs will require you to uninstall, or maybe it'll give you a warning at what may not work. Windows will even notify you that there is an updated version of the software you have that'll work in Windows 8 after reinstalling.
For those who don't think its worth it, not wanting to waste time or think your system cant handle it: Well here's something. If your system handled Vista, it handled Windows 7 even better. If it handled Windows 7, it'll handle Windows 8 even better than that. Everything was built from the ground up, even if at first glance it just appears like a small upgrade. Everything is more user friendly, and a bit more eye appealing. Ya know the office GUI- The ribbon? And any of those who has dabbled in MS Paint or Wordpad in Windows 7 will also be familiar with the Ribbon UI. it is now part of the folder layout. At first, I didn't agree with this, but damn, its easy to use and easy on the eyes! Again, it also became more user friendly (though it still has a Windows 7-like look! just updated)
Another thing. you can stll chat with your friends whily your system upgrades when you're installing Windows 8. yes. Unless you performed clean install, that is. Then the time is shorter- but the OS will let you do whatever you want until the installation is at 50%.
Also, for those of you who have messed with the Windows Phone 7, they're familiar with the Metro UI. Windows 8 includes it. This metro UI is very touch friendly, though not quite mouse friendly (It works with a mouse, and its still easy to navigate- its just better with touch is all). Unfortunately Windows 8 currently treats a tablet like a mouse. (NOT THE PROGRAMS. SAI and Photoshop and the like will still function like normal!) But that's only because Wacom and tablet companies haven't yet updated their drivers. Wacom has already said they're releasing a beta driver reaaaal soon for all newer Wacom products- and some older ones.
The Metro UI is compatible with the Kinect sensor bar. So you can also move the app squares around like you would on your 360. (That is if your desktop/laptop can work with the sensor bar.) One of the apps includes Xbox LIVE Integration. the moment you click on it, you're sent into the menu of LIVE that looks like a split image of the newest UI update for the Xbox 360. hell, your Avatar also stands behind the app squares, doing his thing. Yes, you can also navigate through the Xbox LIVE app with your 360 controller as well- assuming you have a wired or a Windows wireless 360 controller.
Yes. the app squares- also called 'Tiles' are live. Like in Windows Phone 7, when something updates, it updates immediately.
Windows 8 even updated its Networking by a considerable amount. Microsoft as added a 'metered' feature, meaning if you are using a 3G or pay-per-GB/data plan, you can chose to meter that network, and access any WiFi that's within range to keep you from using up your data when you could be saving it. This feature also tells you how much you've been using, which connects to the upgraded Task Manager. The Task Manager can now tell you what program is using data and how much, for each program. It also tells you how much memory, CPU, and disk activity its using as well in a visual, detailed- and much more user friendly way! so more people can at least understand whats going on.
One big thing about the Task Manager is the overhaul of the performance tab, and a new added tab called 'Start-up'. The performance tab is visually appealing, tells you detailed information on your RAM and CPU (down to how much L1/L2/L3 cache you have, what speed your memory is, if its overclocked- etc etc) and your disk, how much, its speed, and stuff like that too. Oh- the WiFi and Networking sub-tabs also have the same amount of detail/data usage/ stuffs like that C:
The START-UP tab is self explanatory. It tells you what programs start up, and its impact on the system from Low, Moderate, High, and Severe. You can disable any item that you don't need to be opened at the time of boot.
Although I have more, I'll end it with one more feature I kinda liked. Although you can always create a local account like all other windows versions, the initial option is to use your Windows LIVE ID to sign on. Yes. If you have an Xbox LIVE or Hotmail account, then you have a Windows LIVE ID. It updates the mail app, and on your account it'll sign on to any app that asks for your account automatically- such as the app store or Xbox LIVE Games app. or any Games for Windows LIVE games!
Its very convenient. But yeah, although there is much more to this list, I am sure you get the idea.
Sparky's Recommended Requirements:
CPU: 1.2Ghz Dual-Core or better (AMD/Intel/ARM, x86 or x64)
RAM: 3GB (though it can run on 1GB)
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce 420 or AMD Radeon HD6250 or better
For those of you who'd like to upgrade without the hassle of formatting your hard drive, fret not! There is three options to install. Upgrade, Custom, and Clean. Usually- custom was the last option to 'upgrade', only keeping your personal files whilist breaking every damn game and app you had. Well, Windows 8 has a REAL upgrade option- installing the OS over Windows 7, while NOT breaking the games. Your desktop will be almost exactly how you left it. Everything. and I mean: EVERYTHING still works. Before install, it will tell you what programs will require you to uninstall, or maybe it'll give you a warning at what may not work. Windows will even notify you that there is an updated version of the software you have that'll work in Windows 8 after reinstalling.
For those who don't think its worth it, not wanting to waste time or think your system cant handle it: Well here's something. If your system handled Vista, it handled Windows 7 even better. If it handled Windows 7, it'll handle Windows 8 even better than that. Everything was built from the ground up, even if at first glance it just appears like a small upgrade. Everything is more user friendly, and a bit more eye appealing. Ya know the office GUI- The ribbon? And any of those who has dabbled in MS Paint or Wordpad in Windows 7 will also be familiar with the Ribbon UI. it is now part of the folder layout. At first, I didn't agree with this, but damn, its easy to use and easy on the eyes! Again, it also became more user friendly (though it still has a Windows 7-like look! just updated)
Another thing. you can stll chat with your friends whily your system upgrades when you're installing Windows 8. yes. Unless you performed clean install, that is. Then the time is shorter- but the OS will let you do whatever you want until the installation is at 50%.
Also, for those of you who have messed with the Windows Phone 7, they're familiar with the Metro UI. Windows 8 includes it. This metro UI is very touch friendly, though not quite mouse friendly (It works with a mouse, and its still easy to navigate- its just better with touch is all). Unfortunately Windows 8 currently treats a tablet like a mouse. (NOT THE PROGRAMS. SAI and Photoshop and the like will still function like normal!) But that's only because Wacom and tablet companies haven't yet updated their drivers. Wacom has already said they're releasing a beta driver reaaaal soon for all newer Wacom products- and some older ones.
The Metro UI is compatible with the Kinect sensor bar. So you can also move the app squares around like you would on your 360. (That is if your desktop/laptop can work with the sensor bar.) One of the apps includes Xbox LIVE Integration. the moment you click on it, you're sent into the menu of LIVE that looks like a split image of the newest UI update for the Xbox 360. hell, your Avatar also stands behind the app squares, doing his thing. Yes, you can also navigate through the Xbox LIVE app with your 360 controller as well- assuming you have a wired or a Windows wireless 360 controller.
Yes. the app squares- also called 'Tiles' are live. Like in Windows Phone 7, when something updates, it updates immediately.
Windows 8 even updated its Networking by a considerable amount. Microsoft as added a 'metered' feature, meaning if you are using a 3G or pay-per-GB/data plan, you can chose to meter that network, and access any WiFi that's within range to keep you from using up your data when you could be saving it. This feature also tells you how much you've been using, which connects to the upgraded Task Manager. The Task Manager can now tell you what program is using data and how much, for each program. It also tells you how much memory, CPU, and disk activity its using as well in a visual, detailed- and much more user friendly way! so more people can at least understand whats going on.
One big thing about the Task Manager is the overhaul of the performance tab, and a new added tab called 'Start-up'. The performance tab is visually appealing, tells you detailed information on your RAM and CPU (down to how much L1/L2/L3 cache you have, what speed your memory is, if its overclocked- etc etc) and your disk, how much, its speed, and stuff like that too. Oh- the WiFi and Networking sub-tabs also have the same amount of detail/data usage/ stuffs like that C:
The START-UP tab is self explanatory. It tells you what programs start up, and its impact on the system from Low, Moderate, High, and Severe. You can disable any item that you don't need to be opened at the time of boot.
Although I have more, I'll end it with one more feature I kinda liked. Although you can always create a local account like all other windows versions, the initial option is to use your Windows LIVE ID to sign on. Yes. If you have an Xbox LIVE or Hotmail account, then you have a Windows LIVE ID. It updates the mail app, and on your account it'll sign on to any app that asks for your account automatically- such as the app store or Xbox LIVE Games app. or any Games for Windows LIVE games!
Its very convenient. But yeah, although there is much more to this list, I am sure you get the idea.
Sparky's Recommended Requirements:
CPU: 1.2Ghz Dual-Core or better (AMD/Intel/ARM, x86 or x64)
RAM: 3GB (though it can run on 1GB)
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce 420 or AMD Radeon HD6250 or better
