Is windows 8 worth it ?

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techgeek
Pretty much. It's something different and people aren't used to it or will not take the time to learn. Also, personally I think that it's a big mistake to shoehorn a single user interface onto multiple form factors. What works well for phones and tablets doesn't necessarily work for laptops. What works for laptops doesn't really fit desktop usage.

Windows 8 isn't to Windows 7 what Windows Vista was to Windows XP. Vista broke compatibility with software that ran on XP. Also hardware vendors were slow getting drivers for Vista. Once you get past the Start Screen on Windows 8, they are essentially the same underneath. There was almost no software compatibility issues at launch, drivers were in place or the Windows 7 drivers worked...
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techgeek

techgeek

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Apr 11, 2004
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Well this is a pretty subjective question, but I'll weigh in.

Depending on what software you are running, Windows 7 and 8 / 8.1 run pretty similarly. I have seen a few comparisons between Windows 7 and Windows 8 under gaming and they either tied or Windows 8 came out on top slightly. Beyond that MicroSoft significantly improved boot times in Windows 8, so if that's something that turns you on, then I'd say it's worth it.

What turns people off is the Metro interface or Start Screen, whatever you want to call it. I am sure you could get used to it, but most people (me included) download Classic Shell and boot directly to the desktop with a fully functioning Start Button.

I was on the fence for awhile, but I thought it's the newest and in the long run have the longer support cycle, so I might as well jump on board now.
 
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T

theodoristef

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Jul 6, 2013
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So people are only barging for the start screen

 
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dodger46

dodger46

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Nov 19, 2011
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For all the performance difference I wouldn't upgrade 7 to 8 if that's what you're running at present, it's simply not worth the extra £80. But if faced with the choice of purchasing 7 or 8 for a new build, I would choose 8 (.1) with no hesitation....Faster boot, takes up less storage space/RAM, uses RAM more efficiently etc. etc. (Ideal if you're considering an SSD) Plus if you don't like the Start Screen, you don't have to look at it!
 
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techgeek

techgeek

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Apr 11, 2004
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Pretty much. It's something different and people aren't used to it or will not take the time to learn. Also, personally I think that it's a big mistake to shoehorn a single user interface onto multiple form factors. What works well for phones and tablets doesn't necessarily work for laptops. What works for laptops doesn't really fit desktop usage.

Windows 8 isn't to Windows 7 what Windows Vista was to Windows XP. Vista broke compatibility with software that ran on XP. Also hardware vendors were slow getting drivers for Vista. Once you get past the Start Screen on Windows 8, they are essentially the same underneath. There was almost no software compatibility issues at launch, drivers were in place or the Windows 7 drivers worked fine in Windows 8. The really big hurdle for XP to Vista was the change in how sound was done. Killing DirectSound broke a lot of games. nVidia's garbage drivers didn't help. MicroSoft: Hey here's an OS with DX10 it's awesome. nVidia: Hey here's graphics hardware that supports DX10. nVidia mutters under breath: sorry no DX10 drivers though. Then when they did release them, lots of BSOD's. What made the whole matter worse was nVidia had years to prepare and didn't.

So ultimately no Windows 8 drama. Lots of people whining about Metro and no Start Button which can be fixed.
 
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techgeek

techgeek

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Apr 11, 2004
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Except bringing back the "Start" button was MicroSoft's way of giving those who complained about not having one, the middle finger. When you click the "Start" button, instead of getting a Start Menu, it takes you back to the Start Screen or Metro or whatever you want to call it. Thank Classic Shell for giving us what MicroSoft should have never taken away.
 
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Ponyface

Ponyface

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Jan 23, 2013
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gaming wise windows 8.1 supports directx 11.2 which windows 7 doesn't. apparently it can improve fps.

with regards to switching from windows 7, i guess we are all going to have to do it sometime...
 
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techgeek

techgeek

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Apr 11, 2004
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I would have no issue if the when I clicked the "Start" button and was taken back to the Start Screen, I was going to run a Metro app. However I don't run Metro apps, so being ripped off my desktop to the Start Screen to launch a program the takes me back to my desktop is not only silly, but it's disruptive.
 
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