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Wow, Windows 8 puts iOS to shame

F

furam90

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 15, 2010
251
230
Just got a Lenovo Ideapad Yoga and let me just say after getting the hang of Windows 8, it absolutely puts iOS to shame, it feels like I've finally joined the 21st century.

Windows 8 is much more fluid to the touch, everything is integrated perfectly, and the customization is so much better. In comparison, iOS is stale, lacking in fluidity, and feels like a cage garden. Never knew what I was missing until now- its shocking.

Once Windows 8 gets more apps they will be a big force; apple better step up its game.
 
I agree the Windows 8 Metro interface is much better than anything Apple puts out but the ships have sailed and Microsoft is too late to the game.
 
Windows 8 better than iOS? Seems like an unfair comparison. One's a desktop, and one's a mobile operating system. And fluidity has always been a strong point in iOS, so that's curious.
 
I played with the Yoga 13 at BestBuy and found it too big for what I want (to replace my 2008 MacBook).

Waiting to see the ARM based Yoga 11. That might actually be an interesting box for me.

As zbarvian suggests comparing an Intel based box to an ARM one is a bit of a stretch. The Yoga 13 with its i3 is closer to a Macbook Air and is quite a bit heavier than the 13" MBA.

EDIT: FWIW I have a desktop running Win 8 Pro and find it quite usable. Unfortunately after the upgrade I can't rip or play audio CDs with my BD-ROM drive with any app. Annoying. Going to try a clean install at Christmas.

B
 
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zbarvian said:
Windows 8 better than iOS? Seems like an unfair comparison. One's a desktop, and one's a mobile operating system. And fluidity has always been a strong point in iOS, so that's curious.
Click to expand...

Maybe I should've elaborated a bit: the Metro UI aspect of Windows 8 is much better than iOS. iOS isn't really that fluid for example, in metro i can swipe from the left and it takes me to the previous page in IE, close the program, tab? just swipe from the top.

Notifications are much more streamlined and previewed on the live tiles, as opposed to iOS where all you get is a stupid red number over the icon. I can customize what size I want the tiles, what they show and so forth. In iOS i can't do any of that.
 
Agreed, the os is much better, but the apps are MUCH WORSE. So much worse. I have a windows phone and its beautiful until I try to do anything other than email.
 
furam90 said:
Maybe I should've elaborated a bit: the Metro UI aspect of Windows 8 is much better than iOS. iOS isn't really that fluid for example, in metro i can swipe from the left and it takes me to the previous page in IE, close the program, tab? just swipe from the top.

Notifications are much more streamlined and previewed on the live tiles, as opposed to iOS where all you get is a stupid red number over the icon. I can customize what size I want the tiles, what they show and so forth. In iOS i can't do any of that.
Click to expand...

Ah, that makes sense now. Yes I will agree it is easily a better tablet OS than iOS. Really slick with the gestures and interaction. Neat UI.
 
furam90 said:
Maybe I should've elaborated a bit: the Metro UI aspect of Windows 8 is much better than iOS. iOS isn't really that fluid for example, in metro i can swipe from the left and it takes me to the previous page in IE, close the program, tab? just swipe from the top.

Notifications are much more streamlined and previewed on the live tiles, as opposed to iOS where all you get is a stupid red number over the icon. I can customize what size I want the tiles, what they show and so forth. In iOS i can't do any of that.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Win8 still has some growing to do, but its pretty fluid for sure. Love the edge gestures on tablets.
 
Windows 8 on tablet looks really good, ive been pondering the idea to get one (so much things to get lol) but my ipad 2 still does what i need and the battery remains perfect.

These is a really good video that shows many aspects of both OS.

 
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Can it be used in portrait mode? I feel like some (most websites) would be better viewed that way.

Also the swipe gestures you mentioned have been on OSX for a while, which is what Windows 8 is actually competing against as iOS is a mobile OS. If you're saying it should compete against the iPad then I disagree, I think they're different markets.

Since Apple is trying to unify iOS and OSX maybe we'll see something better in the future from their side.
 
Windows 8 is great, but I am still waiting to see what happens with RT versus x86. RT seems like it is going to just... die.

That said, if you are looking for integration between your phone and tablet, iOS is STILL the better system. If not, WP8 reins supreme.

sviato said:
Can it be used in portrait mode? I feel like some (most websites) would be better viewed that way.
Click to expand...

Websites can, certain apps can, but the OS UI (Metro) can not, currently.
 
I'll stick with iOS for tablet computing.

I've been on Windows 8 Pro for awhile now, almost daily, and it didn't take long for Window-isms to appear. I like Windows 8 quite a bit, but the Windows 8 experience has given me no reason to want to replace my iPad, or dissuaded me from getting an Apple desktop or laptop in the near future to replace my current Windows Box.
 
Windows 8 looks like a regression to me with all the cluttered live tiles. I'm better off and more comfortable with Windows 7.

AND YES, I do know you can switch to the desktop interface in Windows 8, but there's no point in doing that.

Just my 2 cents.
 
balamw said:
I played with the Yoga 13 at BestBuy and found it too big for what I want (to replace my 2008 MacBook).

Waiting to see the ARM based Yoga 11. That might actually be an interesting box for me.

As zbarvian suggests comparing an Intel based box to an ARM one is a bit of a stretch. The Yoga 13 with its i3 is closer to a Macbook Air and is quite a bit heavier than the 13" MBA.

EDIT: FWIW I have a desktop running Win 8 Pro and find it quite usable. Unfortunately after the upgrade I can't rip or play audio CDs with my BD-ROM drive with any app. Annoying. Going to try a clean install at Christmas.

B
Click to expand...

The Yoga at Best Buy is a i5. Its hardly too big IMO. Same size as my MacBook. Ill get one someday but when it isnt $999. Im sure there will be a price drop in some months to come.
 
Vegastouch said:
The Yoga at Best Buy is a i5. Its hardly too big IMO. Same size as my MacBook. Ill get one someday but when it isnt $999. Im sure there will be a price drop in some months to come.
Click to expand...

Interesting that Lenovo direct's $999 model is only an i3. Makes it even worse a comparison with an iPad.

It's about half a pound heavier than the MBA 13" and a full pound heavier than the 11" MBA, and feels quite a bit thicker, even though it really isn't.

B
 
balamw said:
Interesting that Lenovo direct's $999 model is only an i3. Makes it even worse a comparison with an iPad.

It's about half a pound heavier than the MBA 13" and a full pound heavier than the 11" MBA, and feels quite a bit thicker, even though it really isn't.

B
Click to expand...

It is an exclusive to Best Buy so they are selling it for $999 and at first advertised it for $200 off. I guess they are keeping that price but still too much for me.
I think the Yoga feels thin but I don't have a Mac Air and i do think those are flimsy feeling. I never had an interest in the Mac Air because of that.
 
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Vegastouch said:
It is an exclusive to Best Buy so they are selling it for $999 and at first advertised it for $200 off. Guys they are keeping that price but still too much for me.
I think it feels thin but I don't have a Air and i do think those are flimsy feeling. I never had an interest in the Mac Air.
Click to expand...

teardrop mba are solid.
 
roxxette said:
teardrop mba are solid.
Click to expand...

Like the iPad, solid without the heft. I love my MBA 13". The iPhone 5 is the first Apple product in a while that may go too far in that direction for me. It just feels too light. Still solid, but I preferred the iPhone 4/4S weight in my hand.

B
 
I had a lumia 920 for a couple weeks and I really miss it. I think Windows phone 8 is awesome, but there were just a few crucial things missing and that's why I couldn't make the switch.

Some apps I really do need are just not there yet. The google presence beyond gmail is non existent. The browser always went to the desktop version of the site (yes I had "go to mobile" selected in my settings).

I really miss the live tiles, the "me" tile, the way notifications worked, and I really miss how skype was handled VS any other platform I've used.

If a few apps I need become available I would probably ditch my iPhone for good. But if not, It looks like I might go android once my upgrade comes. Plenty of time for WP8 developers to put out some quality stuff though so we'll see.
 
b166er said:
I had a lumia 920 for a couple weeks and I really miss it. I think Windows phone 8 is awesome, but there were just a few crucial things missing and that's why I couldn't make the switch.

Some apps I really do need are just not there yet. The google presence beyond gmail is non existent. The browser always went to the desktop version of the site (yes I had "go to mobile" selected in my settings).

I really miss the live tiles, the "me" tile, the way notifications worked, and I really miss how skype was handled VS any other platform I've used.

If a few apps I need become available I would probably ditch my iPhone for good. But if not, It looks like I might go android once my upgrade comes. Plenty of time for WP8 developers to put out some quality stuff though so we'll see.
Click to expand...

I was really really interested in the lumia 920 but for some reason all the hype banished, i want to explore windows phone 8 in the future to have a clear mind.
 
balamw said:
Interesting that Lenovo direct's $999 model is only an i3. Makes it even worse a comparison with an iPad.

It's about half a pound heavier than the MBA 13" and a full pound heavier than the 11" MBA, and feels quite a bit thicker, even though it really isn't.

B
Click to expand...

Naw, the 999 model which I bought has an i5, not i3.
 
furam90 said:
Just got a Lenovo Ideapad Yoga and let me just say after getting the hang of Windows 8, it absolutely puts iOS to shame, it feels like I've finally joined the 21st century.

Windows 8 is much more fluid to the touch, everything is integrated perfectly, and the customization is so much better. In comparison, iOS is stale, lacking in fluidity, and feels like a cage garden. Never knew what I was missing until now- its shocking.

Once Windows 8 gets more apps they will be a big force; apple better step up its game.
Click to expand...
Here's something to think about: It's actually a genius move by MS if it pays off. If you have Windows 8 desktop (and most everyone will), you already now how to use Windows 8 Phone. You will gravitate towards it naturally.

Metro is truely a new, useful and exiting new OS. Something that the 5+ year old iOS can't claim.

I was only mildly interested in W8 phone, but now that I have W8 desktop (and really like it), it will be a natural progression to go Windows 8 Phone.
 
I am shocked anyone likes windows 8. I feel like it will go the way of vista....maybe on a tablet it is good, but with a desktop metro is useless.
 
mattopotamus said:
I am shocked anyone likes windows 8. I feel like it will go the way of vista....maybe on a tablet it is good, but with a desktop metro is useless.
Click to expand...

FWIW I have W8 on my desktop and use it similarly to how I use Dashboard on OS X. In fact it's kind of like Dashboard+Launchpad(which I don't use).

B
 
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