Microsoft is releasing its milestone operating system, Windows 8, tomorrow.
In fact, for those of you in Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania, “tomorrow” is already there. If you live in those regions, you can actually pay for and download Windows 8, right now.
So the question is, does Windows 8 present enough reasons to upgrade?
For a mere $39.99 for existing users of Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7, an upgrade seems like a non-brainer. Even for those that want to install it on other systems, the $69.99 price is a far cry from the cost of previous Windows versions, that cost up to $200 per license.
The basic requirements for installing Windows 8 on a machine, are as follows:
- 1 GHz or faster processor
- 1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
- 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
- DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Clearly, very basic requirements for any machine on the market since about 2005.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that Windows 8 will feel like mercury on ice with just the bare minimum specs. Modern computer systems, particularly those that were certified for Windows 7, will be performing the best. As always, the more RAM, the merrier.
Windows 8 does away with the usual desktop environment, instead returning to its roots: a tiled, multi-colored layout that some jokingly refer to as the re-incarnation of Windows 3.1. Of course, that’s not the case. The “metro” style supports touch-sensitive screens and pads, and offers gestures and other goodies found in today’s smart phones. Applications run in tiles and can come to the foreground as needed. Thankfully, switching to the old desktop look is an option, albeit a hidden one.
How complicated can the new Windows 8 interface be? According to this guy, whose 3 year old son seems to handle it just fine, it’s a cinch. 😀
I will give it a year or two and then decide! 🙂
Kosta – That’s a good answer. 😀 I use Windows 7 in a 3-year old laptop, Win XP in another from 2004, and my primary custom ‘box’ runs Vista. I think that if I were out to buy a new laptop, I’d get one with a touch-sensitive screen and Windows 8. Upgrading makes sense when one needs to keep up with the Joneses of operating systems.
Acro, Windows 8 and touch go together well. I think touch is an important part of Windows 8.
I have Windows 7 and love it. I will give Windows 8 some time, see what the consensus is and at least have them work out bugs, etc.
Should be real interesting to see how Windows 8 and RT and Surface due and if it will affect the tablet ecosystem at all.
I am using Wins 3.1 and loving it everyday.
and for Mac, I am using 512K.
Love them
When it comes to OS upgrades:
1.) Only upgrade when you absolutely need to, for example to run a specific software.
2.) Wait at least 6 months, probably up to 18 months for bugs to be resolved.
3.) If at all possible, don’t run an “upgrade”, but instead format and install from scratch to keep your computer working smoothly.
Will I upgrade? No way, Jose. Not until at least 500 new gTLD’s are released.
My laptop with windows vista completed its work after 4 years of extensive usage ,so I’m waiting now to buy a new one. It will be a good chance to try out win8 pro.