lopri
Elite Member
- Jul 27, 2002
- 13,209
- 594
- 126
I don't understand why people plan big sales growth immediately at release. I don't know how Windows releases have performed historically but most of my friends and family don't even know what the current version of Windows is, let alone plan purchases around new releases. I just don't see it being all that alluring, at least in terms of PC hardware.
I think the standard usage model for a phone is a bit different imo.
I think the standard usage model for a phone is a bit different imo.
That's fine and all. My gripe is that they're having a mouse do touch functions. Why?
On OSX, I can use my touchpad touch gestures to access notifications. With a mouse I can click a visible icon to access notifications.
There's absolutely no UX disconnect, but with W8 the disconnect is huge.
Last edited:
Skel
Diamond Member
- Apr 11, 2001
- 6,214
- 659
- 136
I have Win8 loaded on a laptop (and of course the Surface that MS gave me) but I don't spend much time on that laptop as I mostly do Linux support. I'm not sure what you mean by having "a mouse do touch functions". Odds are though I'm still not going to be able to explain the thinking as I'm not drinking the kool-aid enough to say it's a perfect OS. It does a LOT of things wrong, but I do however get why it's going the direction it's going. I'm also pointing out that no matter what it did it'll still be wrong. I don't think I've seen the Windows release that didn't have a ton of people around here declaring it fail and finding any article that mentioned it's shortcomings, even if those shortcomings were nothing.
I'm nervous about buying the Surface now after some of the comments. I haven't upgraded my current computers to Windows 8 yet either.
It's doing functions that are catered to touch. Hidden menus is not intuitive for a mouse as it is for touch.
OSX has hotspots too, but you set them up yourself and you're not forced to use them.
Win8 is clearly far too much on the mobile side rather than being balanced. I think it'll work great for mobile, but it doesn't fit well on the desktop.
I was happy with Win7 from the very beginning, so this isn't about bashing cause its cool. Don't get me started on several versions of IE10 either.
On my HP Probook at least there were Windows 8 Synaptics touchpad drivers available that enabled more advanced gestures like swiping in from edges to bring up the new menus. But, it was clunky and didn't last long. Keyboard shortcuts are more efficient, and in Windows 8 it's pushing me to memorize and use them more frequently than I did in Windows 7.
Last edited:
Windows touchpads are unfortunately terrible. I don't know what the hang up is, but windows PC vendors have been trying to fix that for a long time.
None one should get it from Newegg, considering the boxed upgrade costs more. Online upgrade is the way to go, and only for $40.
That's incorrect. The desktop is equivalent to Windows 7, sans start button and Aero.
Last edited:
Your own experience is the only opinion that should matter to you. And if you don't like the Surface, return it.
finbarqs
Diamond Member
- Feb 16, 2005
- 4,057
- 2
- 81
my mistake, you're right, I can do almost all of what I can do in desktop mode. If Anything, Desktop mode is like a crippled Win 7 Virtual Machine, where you're missing the Start Menu. But you see how confusing that can be for a general consumer?
"Where are my apps?"
It's in the Metro Interface.
"Where?"
Swipe up, touch "All Apps"
"Can I access all my websites through Internet Explorer?"
Yes, but make sure you're using Desktop Mode's Internet Explorer. Metro's Internet Explorer is a 'in-between' mobile and desktop. This means you can only install flash on the desktop mode's Internet Explorer Browser, NOT metro.
-- In this scenario -- I can guarantee you people are already confused as to which browser to use.
The funny thing is that Windows 7 Did the XP Mode applications more seamless than Windows 8 does their desktop mode apps. It's like there's the "overall multi-tasking" and then there's the "Desktop Multi-Tasking".
The biggest thing for me is keeping Metro and Desktop Separate. It's like it doesn't know where/what it belongs to...
"Where are my apps?"
It's in the Metro Interface.
"Where?"
Swipe up, touch "All Apps"
"Can I access all my websites through Internet Explorer?"
Yes, but make sure you're using Desktop Mode's Internet Explorer. Metro's Internet Explorer is a 'in-between' mobile and desktop. This means you can only install flash on the desktop mode's Internet Explorer Browser, NOT metro.
-- In this scenario -- I can guarantee you people are already confused as to which browser to use.
The funny thing is that Windows 7 Did the XP Mode applications more seamless than Windows 8 does their desktop mode apps. It's like there's the "overall multi-tasking" and then there's the "Desktop Multi-Tasking".
The biggest thing for me is keeping Metro and Desktop Separate. It's like it doesn't know where/what it belongs to...
bigrash
Lifer
- Feb 20, 2001
- 17,653
- 28
- 91
So I finally got to play with the Surface today at the Microsoft Store (yes the exist). My first impression: I liked it a lot. Windows 8 works really well on a tablet. I'm an Apple fan, but what I like about the Surface is that the OS is not just some phone OS made for the tablet (like the iPad).
All programs and apps were smooth. Love the little touches to the tablet such as the keyboard, kickstand, usb, etc. It shows how limited in functionality the ipad is (which I've been saying from the beginning).
Also just like to point out that I hate Windows 8 on my desktop, but on a touch screen like the Surface, it works really nice.
All programs and apps were smooth. Love the little touches to the tablet such as the keyboard, kickstand, usb, etc. It shows how limited in functionality the ipad is (which I've been saying from the beginning).
Also just like to point out that I hate Windows 8 on my desktop, but on a touch screen like the Surface, it works really nice.
rockyct
Diamond Member
- Jun 23, 2001
- 6,656
- 32
- 91
Why would that matter? You aren't using the desktop for much. The Surface is a device built for Metro. The only reason the desktop is still in there is that they didn't have time to Metrofy Office and clean up some other UI things. I think the desktop will be in the x86 version of Windows for a long time, but by WinRT 2.0, I think it will be gone from there.
Does that even make sense? If the Surface was just a tablet with no design for a keyboard, then sure, I could see the Desktop going away, but when you've got a keyboard and mouse hooked up, would you really want to use the Metro interface of Internet Explorer instead of the desktop version? What about Metro OneNote instead of desktop OneNote?
Desktop is clearly not going away, even if Metro Word, PowerPoint, and Excel were ready right now. Why? Because when you've got different input method, you need a different interface, and Microsoft is smart enough to realize that now. Keyboard and mouse clearly excel in the desktop environment, it was built for it after all.
When you go into a Walmart or Best Buy, don't you expect to see a sea of Windows 8 touch laptops and tablets? I don't see them, and that's why Windows 8 isn't selling very well. Even in the Microsoft store, there are only 4-5 different touch enabled laptops available because OEMs seem to be dragging their feet. It's likel the #1 reason why Microsoft is building it's own hardware, because it's partners are clearly dropping the ball.
At some point, Microsoft is going to get fed up with its partners and build touch laptops, all-in-ones, touchscreen monitors, and touchscreen trackpads so that there will be at least ONE good product in every category out there. Right now it's pathetic honestly.
rockyct
Diamond Member
- Jun 23, 2001
- 6,656
- 32
- 91
I've had the Surface for a few weeks now and I've honestly never have even touched the desktop version of IE other than trying it out once to see what was different about it. The metro version is just fine on the tablet. The keyboard and the touchpad are the secondary inputs on the Surface and I don't use them other than for Office. I mostly use the Surface as a tablet and not as a tiny computer. Once they Metro-fy Office, I don't see any real need to use the desktop after that except for a lot of UI bits.
I just received an e-mail from Microsoft confirming the cost of the surface pro as starting at $899.
http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US/surface-with-windows-8-pro/home
http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US/surface-with-windows-8-pro/home
lopri
Elite Member
- Jul 27, 2002
- 13,209
- 594
- 126
You just took words right out of mouth. It makes more sense than the RT but "starting" at $899.. (which means no keyboard for certain) and "up to" 128 GB.. (i.e. $899 one is 64 GB or lower) It better have a killer battery performance.
bigrash
Lifer
- Feb 20, 2001
- 17,653
- 28
- 91
Price-wise, it makes sense. Compare it to a laptop with a 1080p screen and i5 processor.
Assuming battery-life and heat are good.
As for the type-cover, it's silly to not include it since it's cheap for MS and it's just bad PR to not include it.
Assuming battery-life and heat are good.
As for the type-cover, it's silly to not include it since it's cheap for MS and it's just bad PR to not include it.
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Intel current and future Lakes & Rapids thread- Started by TheF34RChannel
- Replies: 23K
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 10K
-
Discussion Speculation: Zen 4 (EPYC 4 "Genoa", Ryzen 7000, etc.)- Started by Vattila
- Replies: 13K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 7K
-
Facebook
Twitter