Check out my picture gallery over at Smugmug
It’s that time again. Upgrading the operating system time. I remember about two or three years ago when I started using Windows 7 on my desktop. It was fairly different than any other version of windows out to that moment in time. Windows 8 will soon be released to the masses this fall. I am going to attempt to give my take on this beast.
I installed the Release Preview version, which is basically the build right before the actual version that will be for retail with new computers and off the shelves at Tigerdirect or Newegg.
Start Menu -
Probably the most drastic change that has come to Windows since the GUI desktop back in the late 80s and early 90s. there is a basic screen that you can configure with your most used applications or with some premade Microsoft templates, such as Mail, Calendar, Photos, Music, and a few others. You can delete the presets if you chose, which I did, and then add more of the programs that you use everyday. Think of this more as a newer version of the quicklaunch bar.
If you right click on that screen, you can select All Programs, and then you get a list of everything you have on your programs menu, as if you clicked All Programs on the Start menu on Windows XP. This menu is such a change, that I think even casual computer users will have to get aquanted with the new menu, not to mention older people and the technologically helpless.
Desktop -
This option will only be available on desktops and laptops, but not on tablet devices using the OS. It just looks like the old windows 7 desktop, obviously minus the start menu. All of my widgets showed up when I upgraded. Even the taskbar hasn’t changed much.
Programs -
All of my programs that were installed on windows 7 have been ported over here with very little to worry about. There will be problems with some programs so be ready and expect issues with some of your more useful applications.I was using Macdrive so I could have a Mac formatted hard drive on my PC. That one no longer works, as far as I can tell. But all the good ones like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Lightroom all work just handy dandy.
Here are a couple screens I pulled off my laptop.
![]() |
New Settings screen |
![]() |
Toolbar, hit the little gear at the bottom to get to the settings screen and the power controls. |
![]() |
New Start Menu. Kinda flashy but hard to get used to. Can be accessed with the Windows button or buy hovering mouse in lower left corner. |
![]() |
My desktop. It looks the same as windows 7 minus the start button. |
I don't really want to get too much more technical, but Windows 8 has some other new optimizations, such as support for USB 3, a stronger support for multiple monitors, and its support for new types of tablet devices.
For me, i don't really see too much of a change, because I’ve always had an easy time switching to newer technologies. But there will be a learning curve for some less computer inclined, so watch out for that.
I barely scratched the surface, but If you want to read more on what is new to Windows 8 Click Here, and you can download the Release Preview here.
What are your thoughts, positive or negative. Have you tried it out yet or do you think you will upgrade when it comes out?
deleted7205728 94p · 663 weeks ago
Soon as we get it I am going to throw it up on a virtual machine. I am lagging because of where I work. I am currently running Vista on my work horse because most the district was in limbo between XP Vista and 7. A rebuild mid school year for me is out of the question, so now that summer has let out I can rebuild my machine with 7. Since it will be what most of my users will be on come next school year.
But I do intend on playing with 8 as soon as we get a volume license for it here, which should be pretty quick. Thanks for the review and pics.
hardkoretom 84p · 663 weeks ago
I wish I had a volume license of anything. the company I work for can barely get legit copies.
Chris B 113p · 663 weeks ago
Thanks for the review :)
hardkoretom 84p · 663 weeks ago
Thanks for the comment Chris :-)
jaydeejapan 54p · 663 weeks ago
hardkoretom 84p · 663 weeks ago
jaydeejapan 54p · 663 weeks ago
hardkoretom 84p · 663 weeks ago
Billy · 663 weeks ago
hardkoretom 84p · 663 weeks ago
kamo · 663 weeks ago
My last pc conked out pretty much exactly three years ago, so I couldn't wait for 7 to get a new machine. The one I did get had some kind of upgrade offer, but the forms needed so many details, up to and including a retina scan, I think.
So yeah, I'm still running Vista. I should probably be forced to ring a bell when I walk anywhere so people know I'm coming and can avoid me, but I'm still running Vista. Still, this pc is starting to show it's age a bit. Reckon I can eke it out until the 8 optimised set-ups hit the market.
hardkoretom 84p · 663 weeks ago
I think for me, I just do my research for such a long time that the next model comes out, and I'm really frugal. I got the most inexpensive dell I could find.