Windows 8

Windows 8: The Next Greatest OS or the Same Old Microsoft

Well, For anyone who has read my previous posts, you know that I really liked Windows 7. Well, welcome to the latest and greatest from Microsoft, Windows 8...or is it. Depending on what you plan on doing with it, Windows 8 can be a nice improvement or a real hinderance.

I've had the experience of using Windows 8 on both a tablet and a laptop. I can honestly say that on a tablet, I don't mind using it. It actually makes doing certain things much easier; however, as Microsoft always does, they changed things. One of my biggest gripes is the control panel. While it hasn't changed much from Windows 7, there have been a lot of changes to where user-changeable settings are located. I like to refer to it as the dummy control panel, but the "Change PC Settings" section is a lot like what I called it, a control panel for those who really are afraid of the real control panel. Many times, users should be afraid of using the control panel since there are a lot of things there that can get messed up if you aren't sure what you are doing. Microsoft has now created a place where the simplest of user settings can be changed. It's a good and bad thing, at least for me, since there are times that I have to try and remember where exactly the settings are changed, the real control panel or, as I call it, the dummy one.

So, is it the next greatest OS offering from Microsoft, or just more of the same?

If you are in the market for a Windows tablet, then yes, you will like it and for the most part, it will enhance your experience. If you are in the market for a laptop, be prepared for some frustration until you learn where everything is. It really isn't the best OS for a laptop. I feel that Windows 7 is much more useable in that respect.

All in all, it has a lot of the look and feel of Windows 7, minus the start button. Now you have a whole screen for that. Supposedly, Windows 8.1 has some improvements in store for everyone, but since it has only been out for a short time and my experience has been limited to using it on only a dozen Fujitsu Q702 tablets so far, I will refrain from commenting on it for now. That will be another post as well as will be the Q702.