I doubt there is one. Win7 will probably be the current generation's XP - the Windows version that sticks around long after MS would like it to die (and long after MS wants everyone to buy new upgrades!).
So what's the compelling reason to upgrade from 7?
The (supposed) biggies are Metro, better threading support, and ARM compatibility.
That said, I have no interest in upgrading any of my existing Windows 7 computers to it. I MIGHT try it out on an older Tablet PC I have just to scope out Metro (I do development, so it would be good to have a base familiarity), but I can't see upgrading any non-touchscreen non-portable PCs I own.
It took me a while to figure the Windows key was the much easier way of bringing up that launcher screen. Makes it a bit easier. I still use Ubuntu for everything not Visual Studio or Netflix.
As with every OS, new customers won't have a choice after a while. ME did really suck, but with Vista the roll out was the only problem. Once SP1 came out it was fine. The change in the interface is what kept it from being widely accepted by the average consumer, but business' started deploying it because of the Active Directory integration.
Technology will start merging with Windows 8 within a year or so and having the same interface on tablets, phones and computers will be a huge advantage in the long run.
I'm not ready to switch either, other than to educate myself for work reasons, but it is the future. So I guess what I'm saying is that ME was the only true windows failure of an OS and this will just be another big step in the evolution of windows. People don't like change, but once they are forced to make this one over the years, it will become as familiar as W7 is now for most people.
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History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme.
Though, I think at least some of that can be attributed to it just being new and different. Much like all the whining that happens everytime Facebook changes something. Though, obviously, this change has a much larger impact on your computing and such than the addition of the FB timeline and such.
There is also some talk about issues with it being released at this point:
Quote:
Intel Corp. Chief Executive Officer Paul Otellini told employees in Taiwan that Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system is being released before it’s fully ready, a person who attended the company event said.
Quote:
Microsoft is eager to get Windows 8, the first version of its flagship software designed for touch tablets, into computers next month to help it vie with Apple’s iPad during the holiday shopping season. Releasing the operating system before it’s fully baked is the right move, and Microsoft can make improvements after it ships, Otellini told staffers....
...While Windows is fundamentally sound, the operating system lacks a wide range of robust applications and PC makers haven’t had enough time to work out kinks with so-called drivers, which connect software to such hardware as printers...
With the release of it being just a few weeks away, I figured this could be a good spot to discuss all the aspects of the release, the OS itself, etc...
No I will not upgrade. I'll wait to see what Win9 looks like. I have no interest in test-driving Microsoft's stupid attempt to unify smartphone/tablet and desktop computer interfaces.
I've read that on a desktop, 8 is faster than 7 but I'm not sold on Metro as a desktop UI.
If you don't have a touchscreen, you can use it just as you would Windows 7. People really make too big a deal of that when there's nothing there to complain about. Yes, MS wants to sell tablets, but they're smart enough to realize that Windows is still installed on the vast majority of computers in the world, especially in businesses, which can't afford to undergo a drastic change in interface like that.
I'll probably get one next year since I was planning on getting a new laptop at that point. Something with a removal keyboard dock would be great and I'd certainly take a weird Windows interface over Android on something I wanted to use as a full-fledged laptop. I have complete faith that Windows 8 will be awesome but I don't see the point in putting it on my current laptop.
The certification requirement Persson referenced is a way for Microsoft to prove it has reviewed a program to confirm its code is "completely finished" and reliable to run on a Windows 8-powered PC – which excludes games rated PEGI 18 for ages 18 and up.
does this mean that NOTHING will run unless its Microsoft-approved?!
Win8 is strange. I'm running the RTM right now, and it just seems... half baked. You can sort of return to the typical Win7 paradigm, but the start menu has been more or less removed and turned into Metro. As of now, it's nice, but still very rough around the edges. Curious to see if it'll see much refinement by the October release date.
Switching between Metro and Desktop environments is very jarring still. Particularly when you launch non-Metro apps from Metro. Also not a fan of the side by side views in Metro. It's... like they're taking a lot of the control of the environment away from the user.
does this mean that NOTHING will run unless its Microsoft-approved?!
and wow, no 18+ rated games...what the heck?
Gabe Newel is saying the same sorts of things. My understanding is that no this does not lock the system down for anyone without Microsoft approval, but it is moving Windows in that direction. Whether we fall down that slippery slope or not remains to be seen. All we know is that Microsoft is trying to start up their own app store like Apple has (MS trying to copy a competitor, what else is new), which is more of a closed system than what Windows has always had.
If you don't have a touchscreen, you can use it just as you would Windows 7. People really make too big a deal of that when there's nothing there to complain about. Yes, MS wants to sell tablets, but they're smart enough to realize that Windows is still installed on the vast majority of computers in the world, especially in businesses, which can't afford to undergo a drastic change in interface like that.
So how much is Windows 8 supposed to cost, and what exact benefits are you getting over Windows 7 at that cost? Yes you can just turn the feature off and use it like Windows 7, but this tablet mode is a primary feature of the new Windows that you're paying for when you buy it. Of course pretty much all versions of Windows have always had features built in that people would never use, but I believe this is the first time it's been a major primary feature of the OS.
Sounds like a bunch of BS to me. If MS wants to make a tablet OS then just make an OS for tablets, don't pass the cost off to regular PC users.
