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Software Windows 8 to Arrive October 26
Tiffany Kaiser - July 18, 2012 7:49 PM
Print 41 comment(s) - last by leviathan05.. on Jul 23 at 9:16 AM
Both the upgrade and new PC versions will be available on this date

Hold onto your shorts, Microsoft fans -- Windows 8 has an official release date, and it's October 26. 
 
Microsoft's Steven Sinofsky announced the fall launch date today at the tech giant's annual sales meeting. Both the upgrade and new PC versions will be available on this date. 
 
Windows 8 has been a long time coming. Its development began before Windows 7 even shipped in 2009, but the operating system was officially unveiled on June 1, 2011. 
 
Later, in September 2011, Microsoft revealed the Windows Developer Preview for building Metro style UI applications during the BUILD conference. In February 2012, the Windows 8 Consumer Preview was finally released, and in May, the Windows 8 Release Preview was unleashed. 
 
A prominent feature of Windows 8 is the new Metro style user interface, which offers a tile-based Start screen where each tile represents an application. The colorful, more playful UI has received mixed reviews from many who say it's either a refreshing change or a disgrace to the Windows name. 
 
Microsoft plans to place Windows 8 on many devices from PCs to Windows Phone to its upcoming tablet entry called Surface. The new tablet is set to feature a 10.6-inch screen, a 3 mm case that doubles as a thin keyboard, pen-input technology called digital ink, a 9.3 mm frame, and Wi-Fi only at launch. There will be two versions of the Surface tablet: the Windows RT model with a Tegra 3 processor and 32/64 GB SSD options, and the Windows 8 Pro model with Intel's Core i5 Ivy Bridge processors and 64/128 GB SSD options. 
 
It was announced last week that Microsoft was planning an October release, but now, those eagerly awaiting a new Windows 8 machine can rest assure that an exact day is set. 

Source: Windows Blog


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I've tried and tried.
By Belard on 7/19/2012 2:50:18 AM , Rating: 1
I tried using my Win8 desktop test system again.

The "you can use Win8 without touching Metro" is a lie. Open a photo, it wants to go into metro. Same with videos. Trying to get back to the desktop without a keyboard... or hell, even by pressing the Windows Key while in Metro... can be nothing but a bitch.

I became so sick of it, I pulled the power plug. I sticking back the XP HD, booting it up and going to frackin murder Win8 off the Hard Drive.

I will stick the diarrhea that is called "windows 8" onto a backup notebook and use it as a mobile warning device to show anyone who wants a taste of this garbage.

You get the stupid "charms" when you don't want to. You fight to get to metro to launch a program... because MS hid the Start button into a sliver in the corner (How are you going to press it with your finger?)

"Simply type what you want"... IF you don't know the exact name of the file or program you are looking far, you won't find it that way.

Windows8 will be first MS GUI OS that nobody will pirate.

Its such garbage, that its not worth $40, its not worth $1 and it isn't even with using if Microsoft sent me a gift card for $50. Windows 8 is that bloody crappy. Why the hell would most of us want a touch-screen computer? I don't want a single finger print on my desktop screen... The tablet is bad enough, but its only 11x8 area.

Yes, I can honestly say... you couldn't pay me $100 to install Windows8 on any of my computers that I use. My 7yr old is fine with it, but then again - other than running a few games and a browser, he is set.

There are a LOT of things to LIKE about Windows 8. The updated Aero in release 8440 looks quite nice. But MS has ripped all that out and going Full-Metro on the desktop, which looks UGLY.

I really hope that Windows 7 will be the LAST MS OS I ever have to use in my life.

The only thing that will save Microsoft's ass is if they continue to sell Windows7, like when they sold XP during the entire run of Vista. Otherwise, Win7 piracy will go through the roof.




RE: I've tried and tried.
By Donkey2008 on 7/19/2012 7:55:29 AM , Rating: 2
Metro is just fugly as hell. Not sure who is in charge of the design aesthetics at MS, but the design is a retro fail. Didn't MS get the memo? Wasn't the failure of this GUI as a selling point for mobile phones a big red flag?


RE: I've tried and tried.
By B3an on 7/19/2012 8:46:57 AM , Rating: 1
Oh shut up Belard. All you do is bitch about Win 8 on every article and sound like an immature 14 year old kid.

On top of that most of the stuff you say is just typical uninformed ****.


RE: I've tried and tried.
By Belard on 7/20/2012 8:32:52 AM , Rating: 2
uninformed... I have the POS Windows 8 on my damn computer.

Its shit.
Its designed by idiots for idiots.


RE: I've tried and tried.
By Belard on 7/20/2012 8:39:36 AM , Rating: 2
And ANOTHER THING.

*YOU* don't tell me to SHUT UP.

You are allowed to post how much you love Win8, fine go ahead. Still a semi-free country... and I'll post that Win8 isn't worth $5.

(and if you are simply an MS employee... I could care less. And if you are on the Win8 team, you are a moron)

WP6.0 = fail
WP6.5 = fail
WP7.x = fail
WP8.0 = I estimate, 80% likely to fail.
WART tablets = 95% likely to fail
X86 tablets = maybe do okay, mostly niche market.
Win8 desktop = will fail.


RE: I've tried and tried.
By xti on 7/20/2012 10:45:22 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
*YOU* don't tell me to SHUT UP.


No one puts Baby in a corner!


RE: I've tried and tried.
By Belard on 7/21/2012 3:27:13 AM , Rating: 2
Belt da baby.


RE: I've tried and tried.
By leviathan05 on 7/23/2012 9:16:28 AM , Rating: 3
quote:
WP8.0 = I estimate, 80% likely to fail. WART tablets = 95% likely to fail


Oh look, random probabilities without qualification or explanation, the sure sign of a strong argument.


RE: I've tried and tried.
By Starcub on 7/20/2012 10:21:21 AM , Rating: 2
My guess is that MS is going to use Win 8 to shape the market towards tablets and small mobile devices. Surface is MS's first PC product. However my understanding is that MS is giving users of Win 8 the option of bypassing Metro, but only if they change the default configuration, but I've not tested the latest release to see if that configurability has been implemented.

I do think that the new tablets and ultrabooks are becomming much more attractive given the increased processing power available, particularly with integrared GPU's. Peripherals can always be connected via interface ports for non-mobile use. It would make much more sense to me if MS were to allow that configurability option, otherwise their retail sales of Win 8 will be poor. It might also negatively impact Surface sales among existing PC users. MS is far from cornering the market on PC's. At this point there are still plenty if vendors selling traditional notebooks.


Not impressed
By MadAd on 7/20/2012 11:23:29 AM , Rating: 3
roll on windows 9




RE: Not impressed
By dark matter on 7/20/2012 5:00:23 PM , Rating: 3
Absolutely.

I've been a Windows user since 3.1

And I used Windows 7 beta since it was released.

I've tried the Windows 8 preview, and honestly the additional features are nice, but the Metro GUI has put me off.

Perhaps I am a desktop user, who doesn't like being forced to use a non desktop GUI.

The rest of Windows 8 seems nothing more than a service pack.

Not prepared to pay for a service pack. Sorry Microsoft, I don't care if it's only $40.

Robbing me of the start menu is certainly not worth that.

And before anyone gets all pissy with me, remember, you can't argue with someones opinion.


Windows tablet edition
By Rage187 on 7/18/2012 9:42:29 PM , Rating: 3
Anyone who has played with Windows 8 knows this is not designed for PCs. It is Windows 7 tablet edition. I think their tablets will do decently this gen but anyone with a Win 7 pc might as well stay on it.




RE: Windows tablet edition
By dark matter on 7/20/2012 5:01:24 PM , Rating: 2
Yup, that's what I plan to do.


calm down people
By lagomorpha on 7/19/2012 12:35:48 AM , Rating: 2
I will admit to being skeptical at first but after messing around with it a while I find win8 isn't much worse than win7. Would I pay money to upgrade from 7? Not a cent. But it isn't the end of the world either.




What a load of xchrapiola
By jpkelly05 on 7/18/12, Rating: -1
RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By chromal on 7/18/2012 9:17:23 PM , Rating: 3
The metro UI is truly unwelcome on my desktop, too. I didn't build a decent PC with a >1080P display to single-task (unless it's a game, anyway)


By BubbaJoe TBoneMalone on 7/19/2012 12:13:35 PM , Rating: 1
I have no plans DOWNgrading my Aero GUI on my desktop computer for that Metro CR*P! Windows 7 for life!


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By Connoisseur on 7/18/2012 9:18:15 PM , Rating: 4
Ha, I think it's funny how you said:
"I am sorry that I am a little bitter, I just find every version of MS to be a little to pricey for what they offer"

and then two sentences later you say:
"stay with Win7- It is a wonderful experience"


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By mcnabney on 7/19/12, Rating: -1
RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By Taft12 on 7/19/2012 4:13:21 PM , Rating: 1
The consumer's price for Windows hasn't changed for decades:

Free with the purchase of your OEM desktop or laptop


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By stm1185 on 7/18/2012 10:02:52 PM , Rating: 2
I'm expecting a lot of Linux fanboy rants and the usual "im scared of change" posts. Already got 1 of both.

Been using the release preview on my HTPC for awhile now. Was against Metro going into it, but I love it now. It's is absolutely beautiful on a 55inch HDTV. I've come to accept that it's different, and once I got over the learning curve, I can't see how it's worse. The Desktop is still there, the start button is not, but I haven't needed it.

It's breathed new life into my old HTPC. Windows 8 boots ridiculously faster then XP did, talking whole minutes here. It is fluid and responsive. Web Browsing now feels like im using my 2600k SSD tower, when before it felt like I was using my Android phone.

I haven't tried it on my primary machine; because its a production machine that I need stable. But I am looking forward to it. I figure i'll work like I always do in the standard desktop, but start using the Metro screen to quickly check for new messages, or my calendar, and access the same type of info apps I use on my Android phone.

At $99 I wouldnt upgrade, but for $40, im doing it.


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By Rage187 on 7/18/2012 10:28:35 PM , Rating: 2
I think from XP or Vista, the $40 upgrade is a steal.


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By Spuke on 7/19/2012 12:39:12 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
At $99 I wouldnt upgrade, but for $40, im doing it.
I'm definitely in.

quote:
I'm expecting a lot of Linux fanboy rants and the usual "im scared of change" posts. Already got 1 of both.
What's really funny is not that this has happened before but it will happen again and by the same people. I just find that hilarious!


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By Reclaimer77 on 7/19/12, Rating: -1
RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By Flunk on 7/19/2012 9:26:58 AM , Rating: 3
Windows 8 actually does boot noticably faster than 7. On a high-end SSD it's only about 5 seconds faster but that time was already preitty short to begin with.

It doesn't really sound like you gave Windows 8 much of a chance. If you used it for 6 months then maybe you'd like it. I plan to try it out for a while and go back to 7 if I hate it. You have to have an open mind, well not really but it does help.


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By bupkus on 7/19/2012 12:19:08 PM , Rating: 2
Windows 8 is starting to grow on me and I expect Microsoft has heard some of the complaints about losing the Start menu. I wouldn't be surprised if they adjust something.

In Metro I've started to try typing something like "control panel", "shutdown" or "restart" to speed up the process. I hope MS improves those functions.

I only use Windows 8 on an older Dell notebook with my main use machine being a Windows 7 desktop. Adding to that my Touchpad using both webOS and ICS and my new Nexus 7, I don't get much exposure to Windows 8.


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By tamalero on 7/20/2012 10:46:08 AM , Rating: 2
why the hell would you waste time writing these shortcut names?
they are available in all windows via 1-2 mouse clicks.

its like a downgrade than an upgrade.


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By MadMan007 on 7/19/2012 9:03:28 AM , Rating: 2
I'm sure Metro is as great for an HTPC as it is for a tablet - both are cases where one generally doesn't do much simultaneous multi-tasking. Relegating the traditional desktop to second citizen status for *all* uses is what people don't like. People aren't just 'scared of change,' amazingly there are some conventions that work, and work well, and don't need to be changed.

If MS would simply give people a reasonable way to choose whether to use Metro or a more traditional desktop (even without a start menu - Metro as a start menu is ok) as their primary UI there would be much less resistance. Forcing Metro down desktop throats is what people resent.


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By Reclaimer77 on 7/19/2012 9:43:25 AM , Rating: 2
Exactly! That's all we're saying. Give us a way to truly opt-out of Metro, and Windows 8 would be fine.


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By Ammohunt on 7/19/2012 2:18:12 PM , Rating: 2
but then all they have to sell is win7 sp2


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By Reclaimer77 on 7/19/2012 9:43:25 AM , Rating: 2
Exactly! That's all we're saying. Give us a way to truly opt-out of Metro, and Windows 8 would be fine.


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By Rott3nHIppi3 on 7/20/2012 11:18:26 AM , Rating: 2
They did.. you can default to Windows 7 shell.


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By 91TTZ on 7/19/2012 10:15:53 AM , Rating: 2
I also hate it.

I'm sure there are some people out that that don't like any sort of change, but the vast majority of time I hear that argument used it's used against people who feel that the change is negative, not positive. "Change" can be positive, negative, or neutral. All it means is it's different that what's there currently.

In the case of Windows 8, I'd say that this is negative change if you're using it on a desktop. I use the Start button all the time. The "old" style Windows user interface that's been around since 1995 was that way because it was the most efficient UI for people using a mouse sitting in front of a PC. Microsoft used it, Linux used it, and Macs used it. It just worked well. My iPhone uses a completely different UI and that's ok with me, because it's a small touchscreen phone. Its UI matches its function. Windows 8 feels like a tablet OS on a desktop. It just makes no sense. As another user said, if you're using a 20"+ monitor at a high resolution, you probably want to fit more content on your screen; you don't want a giant tablet screen with giant simplified tiles.

Imagine if Microsoft made vehicles. They might do a study that shows that 33% of people want trucks, 33% want cars, and 33% want a moped. A more logical company might make different models for people who want trucks in rural areas, cars in suburban areas, and mopeds in tight European cities. Microsoft would give you a small SUV that's missing 2 wheels.


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By stevhorn on 7/20/2012 5:56:23 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
The "old" style Windows user interface that's been around since 1995 was that way because it was the most efficient UI for people using a mouse sitting in front of a PC. Microsoft used it, Linux used it, and Macs used it. It just worked well. My iPhone uses a completely different UI and that's ok with me, because it's a small touchscreen phone. Its UI matches its function. Windows 8 feels like a tablet OS on a desktop. It just makes no sense.


I couldn't agree more. If anyone needs evidence of this, just look at the case of Ubuntu which quickly fell from #1 in the Linux world when it introduced Unity. Where did these user go? To LinuxMint (now #1) which uses the more traditional Windows style UI.


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By drycrust3 on 7/19/2012 11:23:37 AM , Rating: 2
quote:
I'm expecting a lot of Linux fanboy rants

Why, because Ubuntu 12.10 will be being released about that time? I really think if that is the reason Microsoft chose this date to release Windows 8 then that is more likely to raise moral within the Linux community than the other way around.


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By dark matter on 7/20/2012 5:05:12 PM , Rating: 1
"scared of change" is so incongruous.

It's an argument that uneducated people like to throw around to make themselves look smart by creating a false fallacy.

Change can be good or bad.

For example, you could get knocked down, and paralyzed from the neck down. Would you really go up to a quadriplegic and say "dude, you're just scared of change".

Admittedly, that's an OTT example, but then so is claiming people are cowering under their desks in fear of a shit tablet based GUI on their desktop PC.


RE: What a load of xchrapiola
By Rott3nHIppi3 on 7/20/2012 11:17:03 AM , Rating: 2
Clearly you missed the demo where you can make Windows 8 default to the standard Windows 7 look/feel. I was at TechEd this year... saw it first hand by the developers. They were forward thinking enough to know the Metro UI isn't going to always work in office environments. More options = good! Perhaps you should take a second look.


By stevhorn on 7/19/2012 6:36:34 AM , Rating: 2
I've already switched. I tried out WIN8 when the first preview was released and it found it just wasn't for me. As others have suggested, you seem to have little control over what happens when you launch a program. Without being able to disable Metro it's simply not suitable as a desktop OS. I've since gone the hackintosh route and haven't looked back. I'm now running Mountain Lion and find it a much better desktop experience than WIN8. (And, btw, file sharing and networking work much more reliably on Mountain Lion than on Windows.)


By WalksTheWalk on 7/19/2012 11:07:51 AM , Rating: 2
I just can't bring myself to buy ANYTHING made by Apple after all of their over-broad patent filing, super trolling over the last year or more. They have some atoning to do before I would even consider it. I don't think Windows 8 is that bad, but if I did I would move to Linux before OSX.


By tecknurd on 7/20/2012 8:59:50 PM , Rating: 1
I already switch to Linux after using Windows 98, so I do not care for Windows at all. I do not care for Windows XP at the time. I do not care that Microsoft is putting out a new version of Windows every other year. Their operating systems are mainly for businesses and gamers. Besides that Windows is just inferior to Mac OS X and Linux. Interesting that Unix or some form of it is still the king of all operating systems.


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