Returning laptop cuz of Windows 8

[Doomer]

Bought my wife a laptop last night (just a quick and cheap one) and I saw it had windows 8 on it. I figured "oh nice, the new windows" so I picked it up. Turns out its trying to act like a giant tablet and this POS is going straight back to the store. Windows 8 is murder. Hate it and I have no interest in giving it "an honest chance" because my wife needs to do work on this thing, not dick around with it for weeks just to learn how to use it. Its a stupid giant tablet OS that should be dead and burried.

Just want to say that I agree with you 100%. I'm really perplexed by the Win 8 fanbois here, I have no clue what they are seeing in this POS sorry excuse for a OS.

 

[Synomenon]

I don't see what the big deal is. Windows 8 is leaner and faster on every PC I've installed it on. I never even have to see the "Modern UI". I installed "Classic Shell" which is free.

 

[sze5003]

I'm trying out start 8 but I realize since I install most of my apps on the second hd not the SSD that the startmenu won't list all of the shortcuts. I guess I got used to having only the few apps I needed on the tile screen. Maybe I'll buy it when the trial ends or try classic shell.

 

[squirrel dog]

I use classic shell for win 8 . It's free and good . I also use tips and tweaks to get a more win 7 look and feel . Win 8 for $15 is good enough to tweak .

 

[Mem]

Just want to say that I agree with you 100%. I'm really perplexed by the Win 8 fanbois here, I have no clue what they are seeing in this POS sorry excuse for a OS.

I always find it rather childish when some people say you are a fanboi etc... because you like something,for the record there is about five or so Microsoft operating systems that I've liked and thats without adding the Linux distro's I like as well,I guess some people are unhappy because the other happy half like something.

 

[beginner99]

I don't see what the big deal is. Windows 8 is leaner and faster on every PC I've installed it on. I never even have to see the "Modern UI". I installed "Classic Shell" which is free.

The fact that you have to install 3rd party software to make an OS usable tells you everything. And if you but the taskbar to the right side (which makes a lto of sense on widescreen displays), the start menu will be in the top right corner...were the charms bar is triggered. So you have to disable that too..

 

[Nothinman]

The fact that you have to install 3rd party software to make an OS usable tells you everything. And if you but the taskbar to the right side (which makes a lto of sense on widescreen displays), the start menu will be in the top right corner...were the charms bar is triggered. So you have to disable that too..

You don't need to install any 3rd party software to make it usable. You only need to install a 3rd party shell or start menu if you're unable or unwilling to learn the changes MS has made to the UI.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Just want to say that I agree with you 100%. I'm really perplexed by the Win 8 fanbois here, I have no clue what they are seeing in this POS sorry excuse for a OS.

If MS wants to drag the entire PC industry into the dirt as if it wasn't bad enough yet already, be my guest. In the meantime the only way they can take my copy of Win7 is from my cold, dead hands.

And oh MS, you thought XP holdouts are terrible enough? Try the Win 7 ones, you will like it.

 

[infoiltrator]

If most of the computers you use are W7, coping with one W8 is, entirely depending on use, easy or painful.
A system optimized for touch screen use, with an entire new nomenclature that hides familiar operators. Bad Microsoft.
Also, some software and drivers available for W7 are not available for W8.
Some of this is OEM choice, some Microsoft. Nuisance Squared.

 

[Tom]

I always find it rather childish when some people say you are a fanboi etc... because you like something,for the record there is about five or so Microsoft operating systems that I've liked and thats without adding the Linux distro's I like as well,I guess some people are unhappy because the other happy half like something.

There's nothing wrong with liking something.

There is something annoying about telling people who don't like something that they are wrong not to like it.

From my POV, every new version of Windows since XP has gotten worse as far as features that matter to me. Prior to and including XP almost every version was getting better.

Now, I'm refering here to features, not crashing or being more secure.

Vista took away fax services and added annoying layers of UAC and file ownership.

Windows 7 took away email client.

Windows 8 takes away the Start menu which has been there since Windows 95 and had been improving all the way through Windws 7. Also won't play dvds.

In a nutshell that's Windows from an ordinary home user's perspective. All can be worked around but its annoying these things were dropped for no apparent reason.

 

[Mem]

There's nothing wrong with liking something.

There is something annoying about telling people who don't like something that they are wrong not to like it.

From my POV, every new version of Windows since XP has gotten worse as far as features that matter to me. Prior to and including XP almost every version was getting better.

Now, I'm refering here to features, not crashing or being more secure.

Vista took away fax services and added annoying layers of UAC and file ownership.

Windows 7 took away email client.

Windows 8 takes away the Start menu which has been there since Windows 95 and had been improving all the way through Windws 7. Also won't play dvds.

In a nutshell that's Windows from an ordinary home user's perspective. All can be worked around but its annoying these things were dropped for no apparent reason.

Does that not work both ways ie telling people that like something they are wrong?...besides my remark was about the word fanboi which is always a childish response,I've no objection to people that don't like things even XP/Win7/Win8 etc.

Btw what do you mean DVDs not working on Win8? I'm watching DVD movie now at the moment on Win8.

As to to the old start button its not needed IMHO, Win+X covers most things then you have Metro start screen and charm bar,throw in customization you can do with Win8 and thats why its not needed(I'm not talking about third party software )...I will say it was long overdue for a change in UI ie from 95-Win7 UI ,way to long thats almost 20 years of same generic UI with minor changes here and there.

 

[Tom]

Does that not work both ways ie telling people that like something they are wrong?...besides my remark was about the word fanboi which is always a childish response,I've no objection to people that don't like things even XP/Win7/Win8 etc.

Btw what do you mean DVDs not working on Win8? I'm watching DVD movie now at the moment on Win8.

As to to the old start button its not needed IMHO, Win+X covers most things then you have Metro start screen and charm bar,throw in customization you can do with Win8 and thats why its not needed(I'm not talking about third party software )...I will say it was long overdue for a change in UI ie from 95-Win7 UI ,way to long thats almost 20 years of same generic UI with minor changes here and there.

No one uses keyboard shortcuts. Even fewer people use the Windows key.

You know, I'm pretty sure EVERY pc os that even has a UI has had something like the Start menu, until W8. Even the Atari ST and Amiga had mouse operated menus.

The silliest thing is, there's no user benefit reason for there not to be a Start menu in W8.

dvds won't play in W8. Additional software is required.

 

[Mem]

No one uses keyboard shortcuts. Even fewer people use the Windows key.

You know, I'm pretty sure EVERY pc os that even has a UI has had something like the Start menu, until W8. Even the Atari ST and Amiga had mouse operated menus.

The silliest thing is, there's no user benefit reason for there not to be a Start menu in W8.

dvds won't play in W8. Additional software is required.

I don't use keyboard shortcuts,ie mouse is my friend just right click in left corner for Win+X,yes I still use mouse for 99% of everything on Win8 and keyboard for gaming/typing,as for DVDs think you are clutching at straws there,did not Microsoft offer Windows Media Centre free for quite awhile and reason being to keep cost down due to licensing as well so thats why it was an option.

Also plenty of free options for DVD playback so its not really an issue.

Start Menu is there just not the old one you are use too.

Btw for the record I don't like using keyboard shortcuts either,however I have no issues getting around Windows with mouse just like I did on XP/Vista/Win7 etc...

Even the Atari ST and Amiga had mouse operated menus.

So what you saying can't use mouse on Win8,its designed to use anything ie mouse,keyboard,touchscreen,shortcuts etc so nothing wrong in that,as I Keep stating I'm a mouse junkie so would not use Win8 if it hindered my mousing ablilities on Win8.

 

[rhugga]

That's silly imo. If the computer was a good deal, keep it. There's nothing difficult about Win8. It has some irritating points, but once you learn less than a handful of tricks, it's the same as all the other Windows. If someone couldn't learn Win8 in a half hour, I'd question their general ability to use a computer.

Its not difficult its horrible.

I spent 2 weeks jacking around with it on a laptop I bought my mom. I have a master's in computer science from Cal and have been doing this for 20+ years. There was noting difficult about it, it was just horrible. Inefficient. Tedious. Tiresome.

Absolutely, without a doubt, the worst Windows release to date.

I was going to return the laptop but instead put Windows 7 on it.

 

[Synomenon]

Other than the "Modern UI", what was "Inefficient. Tedious. Tiresome." about Windows 8?

 

[Tom]

I don't use keyboard shortcuts,ie mouse is my friend just right click in left corner for Win+X,yes I still use mouse for 99% of everything on Win8 and keyboard for gaming/typing,as for DVDs think you are clutching at straws there,did not Microsoft offer Windows Media Centre free for quite awhile and reason being to keep cost down due to licensing as well so thats why it was an option.

Also plenty of free options for DVD playback so its not really an issue.

Start Menu is there just not the old one you are use too.

Btw for the record I don't like using keyboard shortcuts either,however I have no issues getting around Windows with mouse just like I did on XP/Vista/Win7 etc...




So what you saying can't use mouse on Win8,its designed to use anything ie mouse,keyboard,touchscreen,shortcuts etc so nothing wrong in that,as I Keep stating I'm a mouse junkie so would not use Win8 if it hindered my mousing ablilities on Win8.

Another post about how you are right and people who don't like Windows 8 are wrong..

I'm not grasping at straws. I'm not trying to convince anyone that Windows 8 is bad.

If right clicking to get a half-assed Start menu is better for you than the elegant Start menu of Windows 7 that's great.

I personally see no point in it.

 

[bbhaag]

You don't need to install any 3rd party software to make it usable. You only need to install a 3rd party shell or start menu if you're unable or unwilling to learn the changes MS has made to the UI.

QFT

The lack of a start button makes me sad...and furious and unwilling to learn.:'(

 

[Mem]

Another post about how you are right and people who don't like Windows 8 are wrong..

I'm not grasping at straws. I'm not trying to convince anyone that Windows 8 is bad.

If right clicking to get a half-assed Start menu is better for you than the elegant Start menu of Windows 7 that's great.

I personally see no point in it.

I thought it was a debate so right and wrong is all relative,anyway I was being honest in my assessment and experience with Win8,if you take offence because I find it easy to use thats fine does not bother me,as to those that don't like Win8 or any other OS for that matter does not bother me in the lightess,especially when everybody is entitled to their opinion(its only an OS end of the day so not a big deal),at least I gave you my honest and constructive feedback.

One last point don't you use right click in Win7 for other things as well I know I do,thats what right clicking is for ie gives you options and is used for shortcuts etc, been this way for decades on Windows last time I checked but some people forget that,anyway each to their own,think we have covered everything .

 

[Mem]

QFT

The lack of a start button makes me sad...and furious and unwilling to learn.:'(

People always find something to moan about, its been this way for decades,everytime there is a new OS you get the moans and groans,fact is can't remember last time I did not see a moan or two on any new OS that was released going back decades,you can bet samething will happen to Win9,10 etc then you get called "fanboi",very lame and childish.

 

[infoiltrator]

Lame is not being able to find drivers and getting a "not me" from Microsoft and HP.
Why shouldn't w7 drivers work?
Nuisance is "dancing" thru multiple distractions when trouble shooting install.

General use is ok after learning "fancy changes."
Going back and forth is a pain (W7 ~W8)
That is all