[aka Brett]

I am mainly looking for input...I havent tried W8 at all so essentially know very little about it.
I am usually pretty fast to try out a new OS and accept the new technology ....but I failed to do such with W8.
From what little I have read some just dont like it....Change is often bad as people want familiarity so they dont seem lost on the new OS.
So with{un} familiarity aside ...I am interested more in its short comings such as useful functions lost if there are any.
Also is it multi tasking friendly.
I notice right away that the desktop is essentially gone as we know it and is filled with your business for everyone to see.
What navigation has changed, what user tools are missing etc...And while we are at it what improvements are present that may make it more secure etc

[centrino207]

Mostly it is Metro thing that turns most people of it ( not pretty or eye candy ) . Windows 8 GUI is very business like and not GUI for the home.

Don't know why Microsoft cannot make two OS one for business and one for the home.

[davehc]

The Desktop has not gone! It is one click away after arrival at the new start screen. This is being referred to, by Microsoft and users generally, as the new "Desktop". That it is not. It is graphical, and expanded, start menu. It is not particularly attractive and I live in hope that a third party, or Microsoft themselves, will allow us eventually a means to customise it's appearance.
It's presentation can, though, be fully customised. I am using mine fully as my new start menu. You old desktop is available, by default, on the new start interface - one click away. To return to what I call my start menu, is also one click back again, after using an app. In Windows 7 this could be two, or even three, clicks to get to a new app.
If all else fails you, there are several, increasing by the day, third party apps which will allow you to embed something similar to the old start menu.
The performance of Windows 8 is marginally better than Windows 7 in several areas. Not enough, imho, to warrant the purchase. It is primarily designed for future use on the ever increasing touch screens, and particularly portable devices with such.

[aka Brett]

I think I get it..It may be optimized for touch screens but is easy to get back to a familiar desktop.
So the desktop is still there {as we knew it} but they have added this tile setup as well....so nothing was lost ...the old desktop just doesn't show by default...is that accurate?.

I think I read somewhere that a DVD movie wont play with the media player....can this be confirmed?
I have heard some complaints of limited right click functionality.

It sounds like I can deal easily enough with the {additional} desktop but am more concerned with what features etc have been lost in 7

[TerryNet]

but am more concerned with what features etc have been lost in 7

If you've read some of the threads in this forum you know that there is the usual uproar, and probably more than usual, about changes that make life more difficult for us. And I'm not innocent in this regard.

However, the only major "loss" that I can think of at the moment is that the cost of Media Center will be borne by those who want and use it instead of being included in the price of every instance of Windows. Think we discussed it here somewhere, but since I did not find it I've included two links with some info.

Windows Media Center for Windows 8: How to Get it, What to do With It

Microsoft breaks down Windows 8's Media Center upgrade path, Dolby codec support

[j0hnx777]

The general usability of Windows 8 is terrible. I hate it and every IT pro I know hates it. Microsoft should know that if the professionals hate it, the general public won't buy it because it's the IT pros they ask recommendations for. Get rid of Metro UI

[davehc]

I think there is a need to step in hastily, and add to Terry's post.
Do NOT try the hack which is floating around the web, with a serial number, to try and cheat Windows 8 into loading the media centre. It will load. It will also deactivate your copy of windows 8, and disable the CD key!

[aka Brett]

The loss of the media center wouldnt be a deal breaker...but I do hate online purchases in order to get the media center...big bummer..not because of what the cost will be just the hassle of the purchase online...would be nice if they could sell it on the shelf along with windows itself.

How is the mail app..similar to 7s app?
Networking setup easy?

Also it is my understanding the OS protects itself a little better but does it come at a cost such as some third party apps not working that would work on 7

[TerryNet]

How is the mail app..similar to 7s app?

One of the many nice things about Windows 7 is that there is no email client included. The Windows 8 mail app reminds me somewhat of (the really horrible) Windows Live Mail 2011, with the added "benefit" of only running full or 2/3 screen.

Networking setup easy?

Was for me, but I suspect that any hiccups will be more difficult to diagnose than in previous versions of Windows.

[aka Brett]

I have 2009 mail on my 7 install which I find no better that the old outlook express TBO.
So far I havent heard anything yet that would give me reason to install 8 unless I wanted a little friendlier OS for a touch screen.
I prefer a mouse anyway as you dont have to hold your arm up all day to touch a screen....maybe not as cool but much easier on the shoulder.

[TerryNet]

I have tried to keep an open mind about Windows 8. My current opinion is that it would be a mistake to spend a penny for it for a person who is already satisfied (or happy) with the given computer's current OS. But when/if I get a computer with it pre-installed I can configure it to the point that I can live with it, and probably most other people can too. In case you wonder about my actual actions I jumped at the chance to spend $49 to upgrade my Vista laptop to Windows 7, but was not interested in upgrading XP to Vista or 7.

If I may partially hijack your thead ...

What I find curious about pretty much every thread in this forum is the concentration on desktops with some mention of notebooks, but little to no recognition that there are also netbooks, and all three of those form factors are being overtaken by tablets and smart phones.

I have a touch screen tablet with Windows 7. On such a device, for my usage, Windows 8 may be a slight upgrade but won't fix my primary difficulties with it. But Windows 8 is not meant to compete with Windows 7 tablets ('cause there ain't many!). Anybody have any opinions or insights on how well people will like tablets with Windows 8 vs. iOS or Android? Or for smart phones (if Windows 8 makes it to this form factor)?

[aka Brett]

Is the 7 on the tablet fully functional?..In other words will it do everything a desktop pc can.

Perhaps this 8 is just a way to get out there with something with touch in mind as to not appear to be behind in the market.

Maybe touchscreen PCs will be very popular in the upcoming months at the big box stores...they should be if 8 is going to be on em.

So now the question is...is it truly optimized for touch..or has it just been added on

[TerryNet]

Is the 7 on the tablet fully functional?..In other words will it do everything a desktop pc can.

Yes (within the constraints of 2 GB RAM and 32 GB SSD).

[aka Brett]

Thats a pretty nice tablet then.
Is the touch a hindrance to use beyond basic web surfing?
For instance with a laptop I like a touchpad,but when I really get to business with several folder moves, copy any paste,editing etc I pull out the mouse.
And back to touch..my limited experience with touch beyond a phone is essentially an i-pad which I am not overly fond of.
As far as touch phones I tolerate and accept them and dont consider touch to be a bonus but rather just the way it is.

[TerryNet]

Producing content, including posting here, is difficult with a touch screen. I have experimented with it, but when I use the tablet for that I usually dock it with the included keyboard (which makes it a netbook with poor balance for lap use) and sometimes add a bluetooth or USB mouse. Could also add a USB keyboard and (HDMI) external monitor and turn it into a desktop. OK, back to my experience with Windows 7 relying on touchscreen only.

My primary difficulties, in no particular order ...

a. Typing. Better than on the smaller iPod Touch and Kindle Fire, but still a hunt and peck process for me. Don't think there's really any fix for that.

b. "Clicking" the chosen menu item. Windows 8 will be easier because of the Start screen instead of the Start menu. But I don't think there is any help for menus in general. Seems to me an option to "double space" all menus would be a decent solution. With iOS you can pinch or whatever they call it to "magnify" the display, including menus. I can't do that with Windows 7 on my Acer tablet. Maybe with Windows 8 or newer Windows touchscreens?

c. Similar to (b) selecting the desired radio button when they are small. This particularly bothers me trying to hit the little "go to first new post" symbol at the beginning of a thread title in forums here.

d. Editing text. With a mouse or touchpad I set an insert point or select text, but can't do that with a touch screen. If I needed to could probably learn new techniques, but don't know if there are any special touchscreen ways of doing that.

So, the simple answer to your hindrance question is 'yes.'