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Microsoft Previews Windows 8 for Tablets and PCs

I must say as a very enthusiastic Mac Fan, it's hard to admit but I'm very impressed with Windows 8.

Now coming up on 24 hrs of using it on one of my ThinkPads, it's pretty good considering it's nowhere near fully debugged.

Microsoft continues to extend the positive momentum it's built with Windows 7.

And when I take ten paces back and look at the big picture, this kind of competition is indeed what it's all about.

While I don't see a compelling reason to migrate to Win 8, it's nice to see that it provides another choice for those who have yet to fully appreciate the OS X environment.
 
Benjy91 said:
The Tablets will be "Full PC's" As in they will run Windows 8, not just the Metro UI, you can still get to the desktop underneath, still have access to the the filesystem. You still have the whole of Windows on your tablet. With USB Ports, HDMI, Ethernet and all the hardware Windows supports, want to stick some photos on your tablet? Stick a USB pendrive into your tablet, open it in the Explorer Window, and copy them to your desktop.

It's still a full PC, running full Windows, just x86 programs wont run on it, is Lion not a "Full PC" because it cannot run Rosetta programs?
Click to expand...

Android can do pretty much all that too, depending on the particular device it's running on (and even iOS can do some of it; more if jailbroken). The only thing Android definitively lacks is a wide range of hardware support (no drivers for things like printers). Though on that point, wouldn't ARM based W8 tablets need new drivers? Anyway, is Android considered a full PC OS? Not last time I checked.

There is a bit of a difference between not supporting applications for systems they stopped making half a decade ago and not supporting applications for systems that are still being made today. Also, and perhaps more importantly, it has been suggested that ARM devices will only be able to install applications from the Windows Store. A restriction you don't usually see on desktop operating systems.
 
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vitzr said:
I must say as a very enthusiastic Mac Fan, it's hard to admit but I'm very impressed with Windows 8.

Now coming up on 24 hrs of using it on one of my ThinkPads, it's pretty good considering it's nowhere near fully debugged.

Microsoft continues to extend the positive momentum it's built with Windows 7.

And when I take ten paces back and look at the big picture, this kind of competition is indeed what it's all about.

While I don't see a compelling reason to migrate to Win 8, it's nice to see that it provides another choice for those who have yet to fully appreciate the OS X environment.
Click to expand...

Good to see some Mac users appreciate what Microsoft are trying to do.
 
Benjy91 said:
It's one Microsoft spokesman misleading things by not saying them clearly, it's not like Apple has been vague or misleading about their products or services in the past.

Mac Rumors was swamped with confused people asking questions about this iCloud switch from MobileMe because Apple was incredibly tight-fisted about the details, waiting weeks before disclosing just how it would affect you.

The difference is with Windows 8, and has been demonstrated already, if running x86 programs means that much to you, why not simply go with an Intel or AMD Windows Tablet, they are already announced. Don't go with an ARM tablet if it wouldn't work for you.
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But, but...it's ok when Apple is vague or misleading, it's magical.

*LTD* said:
I'm sure the average consumer will have absolutely no problem making this simple distinction.

Everyone and their dog knows the difference between "x86", "Intel", "AMD", and "ARM", and how these all relate to running specific apps on a Windows 8 tablet, that has the same UI as a Windows 8 "computer", and how both actually differ from one another, despite the same UI.

No problem.
Click to expand...

The typical Apple customer won't be able to make this distinction because they aren't tech savvy. They're lucky they can use the one button on an i device. But believe it or not, there are people out there that do know about the tech. Imagine that, some people enjoy it.

vitzr said:
I must say as a very enthusiastic Mac Fan, it's hard to admit but I'm very impressed with Windows 8.

Now coming up on 24 hrs of using it on one of my ThinkPads, it's pretty good considering it's nowhere near fully debugged.

Microsoft continues to extend the positive momentum it's built with Windows 7.

And when I take ten paces back and look at the big picture, this kind of competition is indeed what it's all about.

While I don't see a compelling reason to migrate to Win 8, it's nice to see that it provides another choice for those who have yet to fully appreciate the OS X environment.
Click to expand...

It's refreshing to see someone here who is actually open minded and capable of making decisions on their own.

ct2k7 said:
Good to see some Mac users appreciate what Microsoft are trying to do.
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Ditto.
 
*LTD* said:
Neither. Neither iCloud or Lion has any relationship to the completely asinine idea of implementing two completely different UIs in the same OS, then putting that same OS (with the two interfaces) onto different devices, and then modifying how and which apps will run on these different devices . . . with the same OS that has two ****ing interfaces.
Click to expand...
Calling it asinine is giving them way too much credit. That infested interface make asinine look like a good idea. That goodness Apple actually has a QC department, and people doing real R&D(at least software wise), cause MS always, and I mean always looks like it was designed by a 3 year old who isn't that bright or sharp.
 
coldmack said:
Calling it asinine is giving them way too much credit. That infested interface make asinine look like a good idea. That goodness Apple actually has a QC department, and people doing real R&D(at least software wise), cause MS always, and I mean always looks like it was designed by a 3 year old who isn't that bright or sharp.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a description of a typical Mac user.
 
AppleScruff1 said:
Sounds like a description of a typical Mac user.
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Nope, a typical Mac User likes, or is indifferent about the Intel move, a MacHead(like I) is a true Mac Purist and hates the move to x86, because we know better than to buy into the hype being sold.
 
Let's all calm down and get along. What we should be celebrating is invention and innovation. Apple has iOS and Microsoft has Metro. May the best OS win.

In my opinion, Metro will crush iOS. Just look at Zune. Zune HD was a revolutionary device that obliterated the iPod. Just look at the declining iPod sales. And now there's a study proving that the iPhone is not cool anymore. That's because of the appeal of Metro.
 
coldmack said:
Nope, a typical Mac User likes, or is indifferent about the Intel move, a MacHead(like I) is a true Mac Purist and hates the move to x86, because we know better than to buy into the hype being sold.
Click to expand...

So MacHeads don't like Intel processors? Why? What hype?
 
Am I the only one that remembers Windows ME?

It's going to be a few more decades before MS gets any money from my wallet.

:)
 
*LTD* said:
MS lacks the backbone and daring to make a clean break.
Click to expand...

The pathway to perfect design is complexity. You get there by adding as many things as possible and never letting go of the past. Why go to where the puck will be when you can go to where it was and where it will be at the same time?

Apple's philosophy is to separate iOS and Mac OS into different devices. But that's too confusing. Confusing for the developers and the users. Microsoft's strategy to add two OSs into a single device. That provides a more streamlined user experience.
 
Claefer said:
Just look at Zune. Zune HD was a revolutionary device that obliterated the iPod. Just look at the declining iPod sales.
Click to expand...

Ha Ha... What? :p Yeah, sure. I see Zune HD's everywhere :rolleyes:

Did it ever occurred to you, that maybe people just want to carry one device, which maybe does multiple things like:

- Making phone calls
- sending text messages
- taking pictures
- using GPS
- playing music on the go

And who would have guessed... A (smart)phone does these things and might, just might be responsible for the decline in iPod sales :rolleyes:
 
Claefer said:
The pathway to perfect design is complexity.
Click to expand...

Even Microsoft doesn't buy that.

The Importance of Simplicity http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms993297.aspx

Just read the section headings from this 1999 MSDN article:

Introduction
The Best UI Is No UI
Less UI Is Better UI
When You Add Something, Replace Something Else
The User Is a Limited Resource
It's Rude to Interrupt
Simple Can Be Powerful
Click to expand...

Those who design understand this.

EDIT Another example: a video produced by Microsoft as internal criticism.

B
 
balamw said:
Even Microsoft doesn't buy that.

The Importance of Simplicity http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms993297.aspx

Just read the section headings from this 1999 MSDN article:



Those who design understand this.

EDIT Another example: a video produced by Microsoft as internal criticism.
YouTube: video

B
Click to expand...

I think you've misunderstood me. The context of my post was Microsoft's strategy to include two OSs in one package while Apple keeps iOS and OS X separate.
 
AppleScruff1 said:
So MacHeads don't like Intel processors? Why? What hype?
Click to expand...
Yes. Fanboys/girls are silly and sheep like following what SJ and other at Apple try to sell them, unlike Macheads take the time to know what is up. And we know Intel and other x86 cpus are all hype. PPC alway tried to give us more for our money(except in the end Apple became a bit lazy and stopped demanding the best form IBM and IBM seems liked they stop caring, almost turning Intel or AMD like).
 
COMtnBiker said:
Oh. I forgot about Vista. That was also a bomb. Used it today. Could have knitted a scarf in the time it took to boot. My loss, I guess. I could use a scarf.
Click to expand...

I've always had it boot in under a minute - on hardware for XP, and not for Vista.
 
Claefer said:
I think you've misunderstood me. The context of my post was Microsoft's strategy to include two OSs in one package while Apple keeps iOS and OS X separate.
Click to expand...

And the context of my post is that most designers, including those that work for Microsoft, believe that Apple's approach (simple) is better.

Note that OS X and iOS may be different at the UI level, but they share many of the same Darwin "guts". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin_(operating_system)

B
 
COMtnBiker said:
Oh. I forgot about Vista. That was also a bomb. Used it today. Could have knitted a scarf in the time it took to boot. My loss, I guess. I could use a scarf.
Click to expand...

Why not try the latest version of Windows instead of one that is ten+ years old?
There have been a few changes since Millennium Edition and Vista.
 
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