Windows 7 or 8 for non touchscreen pc

prowla

chateauneufdupape wrote: »

Maybe, I should go for Windows 7 and pay £25 for the upgrade so that I can go backwards if I don't get on with it.

I've got a better idea - don't spend the £25.

Windows 8 is a mobile phone/tablet front-end grafted onto Windows, and it means that you have to flip through different screens to do what you could previously achieve on the one desktop one. The windows now have a fixed border style that is reminiscent of Windows 7 Starter, but with squared corners and no 3D effects; there is no Aqua eye candy.

On a desktop the bottom left corner is a hidden button to go to the start page, but that doesn't work on a tablet - I had a go on one yesterday.

You may find that selecting some things doesn't give you an option to go back to where you were, so you may have to go back to the home screen and work forwards from there again.

There are a new range of touchscreen desktops coming out, but basic UI commonsense tells you that you can't hold your arm up to a VDU for long periods, and of course the screen will get smudges on it.

oldagetraveller

I bought a Win 7 laptop some months ago which qualified for a £14 upgrade to Win 8. M$ have been bombarding the e-mail, I used to register interest, with sales propaganda, best OS yet and the promotional code etc.
Out of curiosity I downloaded and ran their Win 8 compatibility tool to said laptop.
The results indicated that lots of stuff on the laptop was not compatible but M$ could possibly help AFTER I'd "upgraded".
I honestly can't see myself wasting £14 on something that will probably not work properly on a so-called qualifying laptop. Why should I faff around to make their OS work, surely compatibility issues should have been thought of when developing Win 8?
I also wonder about these touchscreen desktops. Why be leaning forward all the time to touch a screen when similar can be achieved sitting comfortably and operating a mouse!? Such close proximity to a screen can't be good for the eyes either?

yangptangkipperbang

visidigi wrote: »

if you only use a PC for a handful of apps then Windows 8 is a great platform once customised.

If you use lots and lots of different apps then I would go with 7 for ease of access.

I think you have summed up the weaknesses of W8 there quite nicely..........
If you want to use your PC as a glorified mobile device try W8; if you want to use it to run proper software packages to carry out complex tasks such as photographic work, CAD, publishing, word processing, etc, etc - then stick with W7 - it works well !

Johnmcl7

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

I think you have summed up the weaknesses of W8 there quite nicely..........
If you want to use your PC as a glorified mobile device try W8; if you want to use it to run proper software packages to carry out complex tasks such as photographic work, CAD, publishing, word processing, etc, etc - then stick with W7 - it works well !

Actually the latter is exactly what I use my desktop PC for and I prefer Windows 8 for that use as performance is better and it's a lot easier to optimise the performance with the new task manager interface. Windows 7 shows very little about what your system is doing and presents it poorly (without third party tools) which is no surprise as it's the same one that came with Windows 2000 which was fine for one or two simple processors but not so good when it comes to overclocked hex core hyperthreaded processors with their own automated overclocking.

Having one click access to applications (it's easy to get rid of the touch applications), a useful power users menu in place of the start button and better file transfer management are all handy plus it's more convenient that Windows 8 natively supports the current X79 workstation/enthusiast-class platform whereas Windows 7 does not.

John

prowla

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

Actually the latter is exactly what I use my desktop PC for and I prefer Windows 8 for that use as performance is better and it's a lot easier to optimise the performance with the new task manager interface. Windows 7 shows very little about what your system is doing and presents it poorly (without third party tools) which is no surprise as it's the same one that came with Windows 2000 which was fine for one or two simple processors but not so good when it comes to overclocked hex core hyperthreaded processors with their own automated overclocking.

Having one click access to applications (it's easy to get rid of the touch applications), a useful power users menu in place of the start button and better file transfer management are all handy plus it's more convenient that Windows 8 natively supports the current X79 workstation/enthusiast-class platform whereas Windows 7 does not.

John

If it is an issue, you could make Windows 7 more performant by switching to the Windows 7 Basic theme.

Johnmcl7

prowla wrote: »

If it is an issue, you could make Windows 7 more performant by switching to the Windows 7 Basic theme.

That doesn't make much difference unless it's a particularly low end machine, I find Windows 8 is performing better than when the machines were on 7 both for the high spec and the older low spec machines which is the main reason I upgrade the high spec desktop one.

John

jayme1

You should choose Windows 8 as it's the latest version and is a solid OS update to Windows 7 (faster, more features ect.), if you use it and then decide you would prefer a Windows 7esque Start Menu then just install something like Start8 to bring back the 'Windows 7 Start Menu' and boot straight to desktop.

There is no reason whatsoever to choose Windows 7 now Windows 8 is out.

People complaining about Windows 8 just cannot cope with the change (people hated the Start Menu when it came out on Windows 95, then people hated the XP Start Menu so people made it like Windows 98) Windows on the desktop is a proper OS if there's something you don't like you can change it, it's always been like this.

But if you actually use it you probably will find you can use Windows 8 100% OK with only a keyboard and mouse, I have been and not had a single problem yet.

tyw7

Another thing I hate is the two interface. It feels like the two seperate halves don't get along with each other.

My review:

Windows 8 is released today on October 26, 2012. I went to my local PCWorld store to test it out. My first impression of it is that it is "different." It marks a radical difference from the Windows we use to know. Starting from Windows 95 up to Windows 7, the basic Windows interface looks pretty much the same: the start menu in the lower right hand corner and the desktop.

Boot up process
With Windows 8, the first thing you would notice upon booting up is that the BIOS splash screen is gone. So as the Windows start up screen. These are now combined into one. Windows 8 start up sound is disabled by default but if you turn it on, it sounds exactly like Windows Vista. Also, it boots up into the Metro Windows Start Menu (or as Windows call it Modern UI) rather tan the desktop. Note: For legal reasons, Microsoft wants users to call the Metro UI as Modern UI. In addition, if you want to go back to the traditional desktop, you have to click the desktop icon on the Modern Start Menu. That will throw you to the desktop, which feels like an app since it too can be closed by dragging downwards. There isn't any way to bypass the start menu and boot straight into Windows (well there are many ways but they are merely hacks as they're not "official" i.e. not supported natively)



Windows 8: A tale of two interfaces
Windows 8 feels bolted on. Settings made in the Windows 8 metro screen does not necessarily translate to the desktop app and vice versa. Thera are different settings for metro app. For example, when I log out of Chrome on the desktop app, it still signs me in in the Modern UI Chrome app. Also, I can't delete users from Chrome app.

I feel Windows is designed for touch as I find it easier to browse Windows 8 on a touch PC than with a mouse and keyboard. For example, with the Internet Explorer Modern UI app, to bring up the URL bar after it disappear, on a touch PC, you just swipe downwards. However, with a mouse and keyboard, I spent about 10 minutes doing various actions. I even consulted the PCWorld sales guys and he doesn't know. In the end of random clicking, I found that right clicking on a blank space in the app brings up the start menu. Another example is that to close Modern UI apps, you will have to click on the top and drag it downwards or press "alt+f4".

Another chagrin I have with Windows 8 is that stuffs are thrown all over the place and it's hard to find it. Also, searching for the stuff is also one step longer Windows 8 search does not search files. There is an extra step to choose that. In Windows 7 to find the option to delete Internet Explorer history, I have to click on start and then type in "delete"--> Start --> Delete to find the option to delete IE histories.



In Windows 8, it's right hand corner (or lower right hand corner or the start button on your keyboard) --> Search. Then type in "delete" and select settings and then you will find the option to delete the history.Win8 Start --> Select Settings --> Delete

Step 1:


Step 2:


Windows Explorer (or in Windows 8 lingo File Explorer) now sports a new ribbon UI. This interface was first introduced in Microsoft Office 2007. Gone are the menus.
File Explorer with Ribbon showing:


File Explorer with Ribbon hidden (default):


I find this irritating since file options is hard to find. In Windows 7 it's tools --> Folder options:



However, in Windows 8 it's View --> Folder options



In the desktop settings, aerosnap to view two windows side by side still work.



The option to switch apps remains as alt+tab. It can be used to switch between desktop and metro apps.

Windows 8 task switcher:


Windows 8 task switcher with metro apps and desktop programs running:


Windows 7 task switcher:


However, aero switcher no longer present. Just in case you guys don't know what that is, this is aeroswitcher in Windows 7:



Pressing that combo brings up this screen:


Windows in Windows 8 feels flatter and more "digital looking." Unlike Windows 7, which sports a glossy look, the Windows 8 windows feels flat and bland. Here are the two Explorer windows shown side by side with the Windows 7 window on the top and the Windows 8 window on the bottom



The Explorer window in Windows 7



The explorer window in Windows 8

As well as a new Explorer window, Windows 8 feature a revamped task manger, which is certainly better than Windows 7's as shown.



Creating program shortcut is a pain in the !!!!. To do that, right click the app. A menu will open at the bottom listing the options available for the app / program. Click on the 'Open File Location' button. You'll be kicked out to Windows Explorer to the folder containing the app, and it will be highlighted for you. Right-click on it and select "Send To->Desktop (Create Shortcut)". You will now have a Desktop shortcut for your app!

Final remarks

Windows 8 feels faster and slicker, although I did manage to "freeze" an Internet Explorer window on the store PC (I think I broke it cause every time I bring up Internet Explorer, it freezes). However, it feels more touch orientated. Doing things on Windows 8 is a series of just trial and error. Files and settings are thrown all over the place and there is a steep learning curve. The user have to click various things before, a ha! I found it. Also, the upper right hand corner or lower right hand corner is the new start menu. Ther isn't any "visual" cue with Windows 8 unlike earlier windows. It's all hover and out pops the Window. Oh here's some advice of how to turn off Windows: to turn off, upper right corner, power, turn off. Or go to desktop and press alt+f4.

Note
I'm using Google Chrome rather than the native Internet Explorer since it's easier to simply junk all the settings after I use it. I feel it's more "portable" as I can easily sync all my settings to it and delete it in one go after I'm done. Also, it has Adobe Flash Player bundled so no need to worry about out dated Flash. In addition, it doesn't need admin privileges to install.

Useful links:

• Windows 8 survival guide: http://gizmodo.com/5955139/windows-8-survival-guide-all-the-tips-tricks-and-workarounds
• How to Not Get Lost in Windows 8: The Best Shortcuts and Tricks: http://lifehacker.com/5955162/how-to-not-get-lost-in-windows-8-the-best-shortcuts-and-tricks
• 8 Things We Hate About Windows 8: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/8_things_we_hate_about_windows_841
• Windows 8 Review by MaximumPC: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/windows_8_Review

Johnmcl7

tyw7 wrote: »

Boot up process
With Windows 8, the first thing you would notice upon booting up is that the BIOS splash screen is gone. So as the Windows start up screen. These are now combined into one.

I'm not sure what you're meaning here, the BIOS splash screen should still be there although depending on whether the system is configured to boot in UEFI rather than legacy it may be fast enough to skip the Windows loading screen.

In addition, if you want to go back to the traditional desktop, you have to click the desktop icon on the Modern Start Menu. That will throw you to the desktop, which feels like an app since it too can be closed by dragging downwards. There isn't any way to bypass the start menu and boot straight into Windows (well there are many ways but they are merely hacks as they're not "official" i.e. not supported natively)

Pressing Win+D will also take you to the desktop mode or more simply clicking any icon the start screen that isn't a touch mode UI. You can start in desktop mode simply by setting the machine to run explorer at startup which I wouldn't say is a hack as it is supported natively.

However, it feels more touch orientated. Doing things on Windows 8 is a series of just trial and error. Files and settings are thrown all over the place and there is a steep learning curve. The user have to click various things before, a ha! I found it

Or rather than trial and error, spend a couple of minutes reading a guide - I don't really understand people's reluctance to do this, my Win8 touch machine came with a small leaflet that explained the basic touch gestures which makes it easy enough to find them and no steep learning curve required. If you type in the start screen it will automatically find applications and files for you and unlike Windows 7 the search does actually work so there is no need to hunt around. For non-touch systems you can simply ignore the touch portions of the OS and use it much like Win7.

Oh here's some advice of how to turn off Windows: to turn off, upper left corner, power, turn off. Or go to desktop and press alt+f4.

Not sure if you've reversed your interface but top left should be multi-tasking and bottom left is the start screen/power user menu, upper right and lower right have the charms bar (Win+C) which contains the power menu and shutdown option.

John

yangptangkipperbang

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

but not so good when it comes to overclocked hex core hyperthreaded processors with their own automated overclocking.

I use a "bog standard" off-the-shelf PC on Photoshop CS6 and it works just fine - I don't need "overclocked hex core hyperthreaded processors with their own automated overclocking"

If you need to do that to your PC I would hazard a guess that your machine is overloaded with "apps" which are slowing it down drastically............and if you have to "optimise the performance with the new task manager interface"..............well, no further comment.