Windows 8.1

Firetastic

What do people think of Windows 8.1? I'm thinking of getting a Windows 8.1 computer. It looks different to Vista which I'm using right now.

jbainbridge

It's fine. A bit different - which has put a lot of people off. If you spend a little time at the start getting it the way you want it you'll be fine.

If you don't like the start 'screen' you can get a normal start menu back by installing 'Classic Shell'.

robgoingcrazy

I like it now I got used to it, it does take a little bit of getting used to (but then so did the other major versions of Windows, I still remember Windows for Workgroups 3.11 lol)

It's taken a lot of flak because it was designed more for tablets than laptops and desktops, but there are ways to disable many of the new features (I've done away with corner gestures and the nuisance charms bar for instance!) and if going straight to 8.1 you won't have to miss the start button, though it does work a bit differently.

If you get a touch screen laptop, you might actually like some of the new features, after getting a tablet I sometimes end up trying to move things on my laptop (which isn't touch screen!).

I find Windows 8.1 boots way way quicker than Vista does on my old laptop and desktop.

One issue might be with some software, most will work, but I had a few old games which still don't have a working Windows 8/8.1 version.

Copy and paste and such functions have been improved.

If you really don't like it, I think you can even get software that makes it look just like Vista again! For me it's just an operating system so as long as I can still use the interwebs and word process and watch videos I am happy enough!

London50

Hi
The PC I have started off {as new} with Windows 8 and I had Vista before, while many people that I spoke to did not like the format and wanted the Vista format I stuck with the 8 version for a while to see how I got on and I must admit that I would not go back now to Vista. I have upgraded to 8.1 and find there is not much between the 8 and 8.1.
It will take a while to get used to the format and there are plenty that will say they do not like it but IMO Windows will not ever go backwards {although you can get the old start button on 8.1} so it is a case of bite the bullet.
OK as stated this is just my thoughts, you will get many that will say no way do they want it but for me as a silver surfer that will try anything once I am glad I did with the new windows :0)

Firetastic

Thanks everybody. It's just my 6 year old faithful Dell Inspiron 531 is well getting on a bit. To be fair to it it has never broke down "touch wood" Still runs reasonably well. I end up a bit stuck in my ways.

I want to move with the times lol.:D

NiftyDigits

Firetastic wrote: »

Thanks everybody. It's just my 6 year old faithful Dell Inspiron 531 is well getting on a bit. To be fair to it it has never broke down "touch wood" Still runs reasonably well. I end up a bit stuck in my ways.

I want to move with the times lol.:D

Components easily upgradeable if necessary, for not a lot. How much RAM is installed?

Firetastic

When I go into My Computer it says 1.00 GB?

I_have_spoken

If you can hold on until 2015, wait for Windows 10 on a new machine. I have been running the preview on a non-touchscreen laptop and it is much better than 8.1

JJ_Egan

As above the next version looks to be a vast improvement .

martin57

Personally I consider windows 8 a failed OS as far as I am concerned. I had it on my computer with all updates and workarounds to get around the lack of a start menu etc.

Due to a hard drive failure I lost all my OS including windows 7 on a different partition. My acronis image restored windows 7 fine but some error about some file not being able to be verifited at start of windows 8 when I restored it with acronis.

No big deal windows 7 is going into that partition instead. When I think of all the hours that I spent with getting windows 8 to work the way I want it, I now look at is as wasted time and even the computer press are looking forward to windows 10 and considering 8 a failed OS.
martin57

NiftyDigits

Firetastic wrote: »

When I go into My Computer it says 1.00 GB?

Your computer will have been relatively slow out of the box. 1GB is just too few for VISTA.
A simple RAM upgrade will do much more for you than a change of OS and a clean install further still.
An immediate improvement would be seen by fitting 2GB(2x1GB) DDR2 memory for £9.90 You can fit it in five minutes.
That will take you up to 3GB of RAM. After which I'll guide you through a clean install of your OS. Your machine will perform better and faster than when new.