Comments on: Microsoft details Windows 8 Release Preview and $15 upgrades

By: ZenecadE

ZenecadE — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:22:00 +0000

Windows 8 may have a radical change to how you would interact with you new PC out the box and that may pose a problem for lesser PC literate people out there as well as support guys at the help desk. There is just one thing I have found. My old Acer Travelmate 4720 flies! Windows 8 on that ancient hardware is MUCH faster than I expected. So much so, it beats Vista hands down and even gives Windows 7 a good run for the money. I prefer OSX and use that mainly at home but from what I have experienced from Windows 8 so far, its fast and functional and I’ll probably be buying myself a copy when it releases.

By: Sammy Haines

Sammy Haines — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 07:41:00 +0000

Did they bring the Start button back? They really screwed the pooch on Windows 8 with this idiotic “Metro” style. Hopefully they’ve giving users a choice between “Metro” and “Windows Classic” (Windows 7) styles, so desktop users won’t have to be subjected to using their computers like mobile phones.

By: RicardoDawkins

RicardoDawkins — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 05:11:00 +0000

ahhh— much better than paying for the firmware of a mp3 player!

By: Tracker

Tracker — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 04:48:00 +0000

The reason they gave for not having IE10 on Vista is because they didn’t want to program for the “lowest common denominator” and wanted to focus on “modern operating systems and hardware”. In a couple years they could be saying the same thing about Windows 7. That’s why it’s nice to have the option.

But if there is no way to disable the Metro UI on boot then I don’t care, I’ll stick with Windows 7 no matter how vintage it becomes.

By: CyberGusa

CyberGusa — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 03:32:00 +0000

However, Apple’s OSX upgrade costs are compounded by how often you are asked to upgrade. Typically every 2 years and now they’re pushing for every year from now on versus every couple of years from MS.

While with Windows you aren’t restricted by what hardware you may wish to install the OS on other than minimum system requirements. Since it’s technically not legal for you to install OSX on anything but a Apple branded and certified system.

Apple also drops support as soon as enough changes prevent direct compatibility with older versions of the OS and you’re SOL if still using too old hardware.

While even if you stick to Windows 7, MS will still support you till 2020 regardless of whether Windows 8 succeeds or fails.

So their are multiple things to consider for proper comparison.

By: Habbo

Habbo — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 02:01:00 +0000

What is Windows 8? Oh yeah… windows NT 6.2

what an awful operating system…

have fun with virii!

By: barry

barry — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:58:00 +0000

well, I am from New Mexico, and your call name is spelled wrong – it’s chile with an “e”

By: Miles

Miles — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:54:00 +0000

$15 if you buy a whole new computer but how much if you want to install it on your current machine? I imagine somewhat more than Apple OSX Lion’s $30. Apple may charge you like crazy for the machine but at least upgrades are cheap.

By: Guest

Guest — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:44:00 +0000

I am a windows fan, a software engineer, and an android developer, now that is out of the way..

Chilli I could not agree more, I wouldn’t take Win 8 for free either. I will definitely be taking a “very, long, wait and see” approach before putting any time, effort, or money into Windows 8.

Of all its features I am only interested in windows 8′s ARM support, Metro and visual studio have me turned off to windows 8.

There is just seemingly nothing 8 can do to capture my interest as a must have OS. Sofar.

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:44:00 +0000

does it count if I build my own pc? does it count? *twinkle eyes* ?

By: CyberGusa

CyberGusa — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:40:00 +0000

Depends, you could just choose to download the ISO and MS may move to all digital distribution. Like how Apple has started to do with OSX.

By: CyberGusa

CyberGusa — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:38:00 +0000

From my understanding it should be everywhere with a valid purchase of a Windows 7 PC, any type of system.

By: CyberGusa

CyberGusa — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:36:00 +0000

No one is stopping you from using any Alternative OS you may prefer, but Win8 stands to be a very good update besides the remaining question of whether the Metro UI and the balance between it and the Classic Desktop was a good choice or not.

While most things in life aren’t free, and while there are some free choices every choice has its merits and faults and there is no perfect solution that fits us all!

By: Chili Boots

Chili Boots — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:21:00 +0000

They were. Now, they are just rich thugs,
wandering. I wouldn’t take Win 8 for free.

By: Chili Boots

Chili Boots — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 01:17:00 +0000

It’s “champing”, not “chomping”, ‘at the bit’.

I read no further from that point, on.

Learn the Language.

By: Lone Ranger

Lone Ranger — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:52:00 +0000

I couldn’t resist either – the equine expression is CHAMPING, not chomping. Want another loose factoid? Here it is anyway. It’s a BIMMER, not a beamer, dang it…Beamer is a BMW motorcycle. How can 99.99% of people, including most bimmer owners, be so wrong? In fact, if you say, “bimmer”, people will smugly accuse you of not knowing the correct slang.

By: $1793110

$1793110 — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:51:00 +0000

Basically Microsoft will allow anyone who purchases a PC after June 2nd to be eligible to upgrade to Windows 8 for $15. This is a Microsoft sponsored thing so I doubt it matters where you buy your PC as long as you have proof of purchase date and the PC is a new PC.. Not sure if a refurbished PC will count. In any event I’ll be passing on Windows 8 as I don’t see it as being worth the $15 upgrade. I have been very satisfied with Windows 7 and I am sure it will be supported for some time yet.

By: bleah

bleah — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:49:00 +0000

last time for windows 7..they did the same thing…too bad the vendor tossed on an extra 20 dollar for shipping

By: CyberGusa

CyberGusa — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:41:00 +0000

No, it says for those who can’t wait and get a PC between June 2 to the end of January 2013 that you can upgrade to Windows 8 for only $14.99, which is similar to the discounted sales they offered when Windows 7 came out. Like the family 3 pack, etc.

The actual retail cost of the OS is a lot more!

While Mind you’ll still have the copy of Windows 7 with your system. So it’s not like they’re going to give you a two for one deal. They’re a software company that makes money on software sales. So they have to charge for every copy of Windows you have!

By: Tracker

Tracker — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:40:00 +0000

This article mentions nothing about having to purchase the laptop at a Microsoft Store, yet links to another article that does say that.

I’m confused, is this for laptops purchased at Microsoft Stores only or everywhere?

By: kerplunk_0_0

kerplunk_0_0 — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:31:00 +0000

It’s champing at the bit. Internet smugness smells delightful.

By: Umichi

Umichi — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:28:00 +0000

So yeah were still paying full price for microsoft 8? cause that’s what this says… it’s not even a deal….