Editorial – 2 weeks using the Windows 8 Consumer Preview – My experience so far

Posted by Onuora Amobi on March 14, 2012 in Featured Windows 8 Articles, News, User Experience, User Interface, Windows 8 analysis, Windows 8 Editorial, Windows 8 Tablet, Windows 8 Tablets, Windows 8 User Interface | 73 Comments
2 weeks with Windows 8 Consumer Preview

2 weeks with Windows 8 Consumer Preview

So it's been 2 weeks since I loaded the Windows 8 Consumer Preview on my PC and my Windows 8 Tablet (ExoPC) and I wanted to take stock of what I am feeling about the experience in real time.

In addition, there was a collision of necessity and opportunity because I sold my iPad 2 last week. This freed me from any external Apple Tablet mojo for the past week or so.

So, how is Windows 8 testing going for me?

I'll be honest, not so good.

Windows 8 on my Desktop

I find myself using my Windows 8 PC just for screenshots and exploration. There isn't one thing on there that has (even slightly) tempted me to make the switch over and live in that environment.

Paul Thurrott, you are a brave man.

I am writing this blog post on Windows 7 and I have to tell you, the more I think about it, I REALLY love Windows 7. I'm starting to see the beginnings of a Windows XP-like mass refusal to move over.

I have asked myself whether it's because the Windows 8 Consumer Preview is still rough and incomplete.

Nope.

I just really don't care for Metro on the desktop especially since I don't have and don't want a Touch Monitor.

I'll keep testing but I'm pretty sure that as long as Metro is part of the package, I'll prefer to stick with Windows 7.

Windows 8 on my ExoPC Slate

This is where it gets tricky and this is where (I predict) Microsoft will have a lot of problems.

I am not sure how I feel about Windows 8 on my ExoPC slate because I am not sure who's responsible for the problems I am having.

Is it the Beta Software or the "slow" Tablet?

After 2 weeks of using this, I am absolutely certain that performance will be one of the main problems for the average consumer.

Exopc slate

Exopc slate

  • The slate feels sluggish a lot - Is that Windows or the ExoPC?
  • The desktop does not rotate when I hold the screen vertically (portrait) - Windows 8 is the culprit (it worked fine when the ExoPC had Windows 7)
  • The Tiles are sometimes slow to load
  • Sometimes it just won't swipe when I need it to (5 second delays - ???)
  • It doesn't feel great in my hands - feels very bulky
  • It feels heavier than the iPad (even though it isn't)
  • Not very precise fingertip recognition (MSFT or ExoPC??)
  • Still not very intuitive
  • Doesn't feel snappy - ready to go

For a while, I thought the issues I was having were because my ExoPC was underpowered BUT here are the specs:

  • CPU / Processor Intel Atom Pineview-M N450, 1.66 GHz (supports 64-bit)
  • Storage Capacity 32 Gigabyte or 64 Gigabyte Solid State Drive (SSD)
  • Memory 2 Gigabytes DDR2 SDRAM

This should be more than enough for Windows 8.

This tablet is heavier than an iPad 2, slower, less responsive and more . Luckily I got this one for $399 from the Microsoft store during one of their quarterly sales discounts.

While writing this article, I realized why the Windows 8 Tablet wasn't really turning me on.

You see, the big draw for me with the iPad is the fact that it's almost always on and ready. Like a physical magazine, using an iPad, my content always feels like it's just a swipe away.

On the Windows 8 Tablet, it doesn't feel that way. Ironically, that's partly because I have a "Windows Account". I subconsciously associate that login process with a PC or a laptop where you have to login, wait and be authenticated before you have access.

I realize that this is unfair because in practice, it's really not that slow. The problem is, I consciously think about whether I want to use the Windows 8 Tablet if I'm sitting on a couch in front of my TV - I don't reach for it instinctively.

Apple has spoiled me, I'll happily admit it. I want my Tablet to be always on and one swipe away from what I want.

The Bottom Line

I'm not sure where Microsoft are in the development cycle but I'm not seeing the gold dust yet.

If this is 30 to 40% done, this is excellent and I look forward to the next 60%. If this is 90% done, this will not be good. It just feels like it's really really not done.

The OS feels like it's more of a statement of direction with 2 or 3 more rounds of previews and major code reviews to come.

I think there need to be MAJOR refinements made to this OS before people like me can get behind this.

I'll continue to soldier on and see if my mind changes with time but it really doesn't help that my new iPad arrives this Friday.

Enough about me - what about you guys and girls? How's the Windows 8 testing going so far?

Leave me some comments below ...

Join the forum discussion on this post

Some other posts that you might like :

New Windows 8 Lock Screen
Aero Auto Configuration - New Windows 8 Feature
HP Design Head talks about the design strategy for touch and...
Guest Post - 5 Reasons ARM-based Tablets Running Windows 8 W...
Beyond Windows 8 - Life After NT/Desktop?
Tags: editorial, user experience, Windows 8, Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Leave Comments on Facebook

  • http://twitter.com/CodeMonkeyG Giovanni Lee

    I have to admit, I really like it so far. I loaded Windows 8 on my Toshiba Satellite A505 and smooth as silk. I stopped using the start button a LONG time ago (just tap the windows key and type what I need) so not having one is no big deal and the new search interface is nice and big. I also love that i have gone from using 50% of my resources on Windows 7 to 20% on Windows 8. I am weary though of the tablet experience, but I feel that if I had one of those fancy convertible / dock-able tablets I may find myself just as happy.

    As far as the tiles... well, they're colorful :)

    • http://www.windows7update.com Onuora Amobi

      I love the direction they are going in. I just hope they get there..

  • Sbates1712

    i can certainly agree about the fact that windows 8 on my desktop is heavy work for the system whereas my windows 7 runs beatifully as you said lets hope there only half way to the finished product cause if its nearly finished which there release being expected late this year start of next year could mean its nearly finished which same as you ill keep my windows 7

    • http://www.windows7update.com Onuora Amobi

      Windows 7 is fast and smooth. Almost too good?

  • iulian

    I had win8 for 10 minutes:)) more than enough to know if the preview version will be like the final version will SUCK HARDCORE!
    Vista > Sucks
    7 > Good
    8 > ?

    • http://www.windows7update.com Onuora Amobi

      Not sure I would go that far.. LOL

  • Robert Burnham

    Vista does not "suck" as you so eloquently put it. It just had some driver issues early on, caused by third parties (I'm looking at you Nvidia) not getting their act together quickly enough.

    • Penta2100

      This is true, Vista was amazing on an 8 core machine w/ 8 gigs of ram. lolz

  • Tunez1

    I agree with you 100% but

    7>Good
    8> MINUS even Close

  • quailo

    I'm with you , if Metro is going to stay than I am not. This is going backwards.
    Give us Metro as an option only

    • http://www.windows7update.com Onuora Amobi

      Optional Metro would be ideal but counterproductive strategically. Microsoft will have to optimize what's there right now so we don't have to ask for a separate experience. Metro is here to stay.. I suspect whether we like it or not...

  • Paul49rs

    i have mixed reviews on this, what i am really looking forward to is the fact of HOPEFULLY bring back the old start menu style, not to mention packet upgrades for hardware and software compatibility, personally as a gamer until they write more code in including DX11 and solves alot of compatibility issues with their OWN software all i see is a new Vista OS definitely not a step forward. from a builders perspective, i like it, simply put, it is not heavy, my ram is only running at about 17% usage, and under load no more than 21%(this is on an older laptop by the way first generation i3) i also run SSD which i am glad this OS is lite however key phrase this is missing, RELIABILITY. i know this is supposed to be beta and everything but cmon we need some more updates and packet upgrades before i would even render this usable.

  • http://seventy8Productions.com/ Steve Steiner

    My experiences are very different, I am running Windows 8 on three computers, my tablet/netbook convertable (Inspiron Duo, not far in specs from yours) and two older Dell laptops. One of the laptops is used as a portable media machine, and the other I use for doing a lot of work and play on. All the drivers are working on the laptops so that doesn't bear much discussion. All my programs still work, there hasn't been a degradation in performance on the laptops, the only difference is the UI chance, and I am used to it, I even like aspects of it over 7, even though it is on my desktop. I am not a fanboy, I use Linux and OS X as well, but I don't think the changes are distasteful, just different. Like the ribbon when they brought it to office a while ago, everyone hated it, even though it was overall better in how it functioned. I think windows 8 has the potential to become that.

    As far as my netbook, it doesn't feel sluggish, it feels faster than it did with 7, and I have been loving that (did you install all the correct drivers, I really don't understand how you could have experienced a slowdown with all necessary drivers and similar programs installed when compared to 7). Tiles might load slow sometimes but only when I am running a lot, that is to be expected, if Microsoft could overcome that it would be quite a feat. At any rate this happens rarely. In the consumer preview I have had no problems with swiping. I did sometimes in developer preview but now that is working great. My fingertip recognition has been AMAZING!!! That is one thing that makes me think I'll never put anything pre-win8 on a touch device ever again. Windows 7 was on, but whatever changes they made to windows 8 really show. It is giving me the kind of experience I have come to expect from other touch devices (like my android, iOS and so on). Regarding intuitiveness, again I can't agree there. It is different, and takes some getting used to, but it makes sense. If you swipe for the charms, they are right there ready for my thumb to hit them. It is easy to access my programs. I don't think different=unintuitive but I feel like that is what your saying.

    Finally though, the reason I decided I needed to comment in the first place. I want to mention my experience with rotation. Rotation my convertible doesn't work as well. I know why, the drivers aren't compatible. I found this out by researching why the drivers I have for the component don't work, and within 5 minutes had my answer. You write as an expert, so I don't think I need to tell you that you can know why it isn't working by downloading the drivers for that component and trying to install them, checking your device manager if it still doesn't work (and trying to install them manually), and if all else fails googling it. Chances are though, the drivers just aren't ready for that yet, are we really faulting Microsoft that the drivers weren't provided for things like that on some computers yet?

    If this is 90% done, it is excellent and I look forward to the next 10%.

    • http://www.windows7update.com Onuora Amobi

      Great to get an alternative point of view.

  • Bruce

    I am a windows PC person (sold my iPad) however windows 8 has to be the greatest advert for Apple... I am seriously considering changing back to iPad despite the limitations with Microsoft Publisher.... I have reformatted and reloaded windows 7, my old favourite.

    • Junkfilter

      Well said, " a good advert for Apple."

  • http://www.windows7update.com Onuora Amobi

    Let's hpe Microsoft can refine ASAP.

  • Johnn1949

    I think windows 8 is faster and safer, but if there isn't a way to install it on desktops and laptops without the metro interface, I'm sticking with 7.

    • CompUser

      Actually there is, kind of. Just make sure you have shortcuts on the desktop view for all the programs/utilities you use, and you won't ever have to use Metro. I have my computer set up this way, and after it boots to the Metro by default, I click on the desktop tile and never go back (unless I feel like exploring around Metro for a while). Basically it's like using a faster Windows 7, just without a start menu, which you don't need because of the shortcuts on the desktop.

  • adamgosp

    After using Windows 7 now for over 2 years - and being completely happy with its performance - I more than a little disappointed with Windows 8 Consumer Preview. I have it fully running on a laptop and it functions fast and efficiently. So far, there's only 1 app that won't work. But for the general every day user, it's clumsy, cumbersome and requires far too many clicks and searches to quickly get where you want to go. I don't think I'll be rushing to make a purchase.

  • Tasdevil

    Sorry, but I couldn't agree with you, I'm finding it great on a conventional PC and on a touch screen computer.

    • Robert Burnham

      You make a great point. The problem is that right now the vast majority of PC users do not have a touch screen. If those become more mainstream, and they might, then I think Windows 8 will find its calling.

  • Blanchj02

    I agree - I do not see for the desktop user a better interaction in Windows 8. I do not have a tablet that is compatible and from what I see there seem to be performance issues. I think I will have to pass on this one until I see better results.

    • http://www.windows7update.com Onuora Amobi

      I'm sure they are working to fix...

  • Julian Süess (Switzerland)

    Hello
    I was a complete Windows XP Fan cause on XP everything run. After XP I got Vista which I upgradet as soon as possible to Win 7 cause Vista was really slow. I hate it to say but for me I discovert Win 7 wasn't the right program. To say my hobby is gaming. I love roleplay and old school games. I really disliket Win 7 cause all my games older than 2006 were not run on it. Whitin a short time I always got problems to start up my PC after each Windows update cause each time it has to reconfigure the harddisk cause of errors. Most time i got 10-30 minutes to make my PC work again.

    I installed the customer preview of Windows 8 and was impressed of the new speed my PC gain. On Windows 8 my old games work again.

    My PC starts up now in about 30 Seconds, support of two screens isn't any problem and it is much better that you got a tasklist on both screens not only on the main screen. I tried different browsers like IE, FireFox, Chrome and Safari, all work fine.

    I think Windows 8 will fits in many XP users mind.

    • Jwarn

      I for one have noticed that win8 supports old school games. I too was physically sick with the direction vista and win7 went, but win8 I think is a great step forward (in my opinion).

      I mostly use my mac and iPod, and because I am a lover of everything in Mac OS X lion that has come from the iPad such as the launchpad which in my opinion I still prefer to metro, but I think the metro start screen is much nicer than start menu (especially on a netbook/huge screen where I would be squinting at it).
      I just wish that there was multi-touch touchpad gestures like on mac.
      Also I am annoyed that I can't not use the traditional explorer to find my stuff as why is the Metro explorer hidden, only accessible from metro apps?

      I'm guessing that will change as it may be because it is no where near complete, but I still wish it was accessible for everything.

      I think it is so handy how fast it starts up, and my netbook that came with cp would of not coped one bit with vista or win7.

      Vista just wasn't that brilliant with 2gb ram. I can see that with over 6gb, it is smoother but still acts more like how it should on 2gb. So that hardly was that good on2gb, let alone 1gb lol.
      Win7 supposedly was meant to be able to run on 1gb ram, but it's just unreliable with 1gb. It was "ok :/" with 2gb ram, but it still seemed a lot to slow for my liking.
      Win7 also always hated going into hybernation mode/sleep mode (from our experiences) and meant that it was quicker to restart. So that defeats the purpose doesn't it lol!!
      With win8 though, it is instant one basically with hybernation like as so you just left it on sleep, and then it works brilliantly one 1gb ram. Which I still upgraded to 2gb as it wasn't enough left for doing my college work, but for my sisters netbook which is just 1gb, it works a charm for what she does which is go on special needs games websites like touch balloons games. For her windows 8 is alright with a stylus but I still think it needs more improving, but its getting there.

      Wonder what will be new for the next pre-release.
      Hopefully win9 (what ever will be called) will get even more light on the components, like 500mb ram, or of microsoft can be completely AMAZING, be as light as xp.

      • Jwarn

        Correction, meant my netbook came with xp not cp.

        • http://www.windows7update.com Onuora Amobi

          Vey cool.

    • adamgosp

      I may be wrong, but you're quoting OS's and the RAM they provided or ran with?  RAM is determined by what's in the hardware system not by the OS.

  • http://www.windows7update.com Onuora Amobi

    Very cool. Nice to hear feedback about the old game support...

  • Michael

    Hmmm I have been in two minds about this OS and I tend to agree with you.

    For me there are no performance issues, and all my programs work, there are some nice changes to the way Explorer works and Task Manager, and actually I quite like the lock screen too! 

    But for me it really comes down to how I use my PC.

    At first I didn't mind the new start screen and the tiles. But for my usage pattern this is just overkill - and to be honest while I don't mind the look of it I just don't need Metro on my PC. It is a bit like a gimmick, because everything I do is desktop stuff!

    I am not completely decided yet but I am certainly thinking along the lines of not wanting to see Metro at all - I want the option to disable it on my PC - not because I don't like it, but I really don't care about metro apps.

    My graphics card is nothing special (NVidia GeForce 9700 GT) but it is capable of millions of colours, and to be sure I like glossy icons and stuff, so if ever I decide I need a tablet it will most likely be an iPad, and if that happens it will be the first apple product I have ever owned.

    I had no problems with XP but just didn't like it that much, Vista was an excellent step in the right direction and for me posed no real issues. Windows 7 on the other hand has never given me any issues at all and I like it - period, it's what Vista should have been.

    I installed and used both Vista and Windows 7 from the very first available builds and never once thought of taking them off my PC, however I can't say the same for Windows 8 - with this OS I find myself thinking I just might give this one a miss.

    Again it is not that I don't like Metro - I just don't need it....

    • http://www.windows7update.com Onuora Amobi

      Very well said. A lot of people are saying that about Metro.

      • Kenblu24

        I like that Microsoft is trying to be bold, but in that boldness I just think they are a bit hasty. I don't really need metro, and if metro can't be an entirely separate OS, independent of desktop for the most part, it's useless. And it feel bulky because it's not smooth. However, on my windows 7 slate pc I do admit, starts up faster than iphone, and resumes from sleep instantly, but that is only because of samsungs software. The fact that it's Possible still remains though. Portability is another thing. I own a laptop, but it mightas well be a desktop because I can't just pick it up and move it around. The slate is kind of bulky, I would not say its too much to carry around, but still. Anyways, Microsoft is taking risks, or they are just blind.

  • Dkelly

    When you install windows 8 you must download all updates and drivers from windows update then it will work properly. the 64Bit is much better than the 32bit 

  • Dave Geer

    It is good that Windows 8 runs nearly all my old programs, many more than Win 7 would.
    Unfortunately, my bluetooth drivers totally managed to corrupt something to do with my dvd writer software and I had to do a system restore to get my dvd back. I now run without bluetooth.
    The Metro apps screen should be an option, maybe just for tablets stc. I find absolutely no use for it on my laptop or PC, it just gets in the way.
    There are still issues to iron out on startup, my laptop has two tries before it gets going and the diagnostic pop-up is too fast to read so I am still in the dark as to why.
    All in all, Windows 8 is a step in the right direction, but I am not rushing to the shops just yet.

    • http://www.windows7update.com Onuora Amobi

      A very common sentiment...

  • pabloaust

    Do you think they will make ultrabooks with touch screens that will take advantage of Win 8? These should fix up the sluggish system and may provide an excuse to use the touch.

    • Robert Burnham

      I hope that is the case, for Microsoft's sake, otherwise one of the main features of Windows 8 will go unused, leaving us with what is right now an awkward experience.

  • http://www.windows7update.com Onuora Amobi

    OEM's will make touchscreen ultrabooks and laptops. Almost a certainty.

  • Timeparadox420

    its like what people have is not enough, they want more...but the fact is its not necessary why can't you be happy for what it is providing..

  • Wlb1218

    I told you windows 8 is not right, as you said, metro on the desktop isn't all that good.Great for a cell but not a desktop. I really don't think , they thought this out, not everybody can afford a touch screen monitor, as far as the OS goes, not to much differant than win 7 , My prefferance will be win7.

    • http://www.windows7update.com Onuora Amobi

      A lot of people say that...

  • Mike

    I CAN NOT do any work in the metro screen … it's bull?  I've load a program that I can switch between the NORMAL window desktop and metro.  I'm really working in 7
    less this crazy app screen!!   Mike

  • Vitaly

    I am using Windows 8 on my ACER Aspire one. I like it and dislike it. What I don't like: I had several times crash, blue screen; I need to shut down or restart to go to different page; I have really a quit annoying necessity to operate with a pointer to pull down a page in my browser instead to see the system options appearing from the right side of the screen (it make me crazy!). I am not shure that I have every tinm I start Windows to go throw several steps to reach my desktop. Now my ACER totally died and I am not sure 100% that it is without the new OS assistance....

  • NazmusLabs

    I have been using Windows 8 as my primary OS since September, when the Developer Preview was released. For me, it is more productive than was Windows 7. All keyboard shortcuts work and I have quick access to my "Mail" app from the start screen. The desktop looks and works exactly like Windows 7, and, thus, Windows 8 wins my love.

    • http://www.windows7update.com Onuora Amobi

      Awesome to hear that.

  • Jony G

    I own a Samsung Series 9 Ultrabook so Windows 8 runs very fast and is fluid! Boots up to the login screen in 3 seconds, and once I type my password it takes a second or two to load up the metro start screen. Switching to the classic desktop is also extremely fast! I would just like to see metro apps work better for us PC users, most annoying thing it having to right-click everytime I need the options (especially in the e-mail app!)... So I hope to see improvements there soon, but as of right now I'm getting used to it and won't be going back to Windows 7...

    • http://www.windows7update.com Onuora Amobi

      Interesting - It definitely seems like users with really fast hardware are having a totally different user experience.

  • Ian Singleton

    I have heard that there are third party software applications that will bring back the start menu.  It would seem slightly crazy to get a brand new OS and then hack it straight away, I have heard that they are not going to change anything.  I don't get what is so difficult for them to realise that releasing 2 versions of Windows 8 would be the best thing to do one for desktops with no Metro and one for tablets with no classic Aero. Not hard to figure out really.

  • Tunez1

    Took me 1 hour to dload Windows 8  took me 30 minutes to INSTALL it and UN-INSTALL it ...that was total time... As far as Im concered it, it was like taking a blind man to an ALI-FORMAN fight !! not gonna be worth my time to buy or even pirate Windows 8, right now it sucks

    • Rsmith6155

      how do u uninstall windows 8? I installed it and it erase windows 7 now the computer doesn't recognize my restore disk

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/CMIUGWTFJ3JRO6Y67T45PCGHXA magree

    I'm using an Asus Slate and my Dell laptop to test windows 8. I have to agree that Metro has not really left a good feeling. I do not like the fact that they are cramming Xbox down my throat and the apps have been slow and or unresponsive. I installed office 2010 and have way too many icons on the screen afterwards.  The handwriting works great for cursive but not for regular print.  The machine does not always shut down but goes into some type of hibernation. Taking the startup menu away was a very bad idea.  Microsoft might want to call this an alpha test and walk away with how the “consumer” thinks about Windows 8 Consumer Preview.  This is just a short list of issues I have been having.

  • Pete

    I couldn't agree more Onoura.  You echo my feelings precisely, especially the metro interface on a non-touch screen.  I wil NOT be the first kid on my block with W8 as I was with W7.  -  /s/ Pete

    • http://www.windows7update.com Onuora Amobi

      Hopefully it'll get better...

  • Penta2100

    Is your power plan on high performance? that's what happened to mine. and now it runs like a charm!

    • Penta2100

      No pun intended

  • Hugo

    I've install Win8 on a desktop PC (Quad Core, 4 gig ram) and it is "Fast and Fluid" as they say, I found Metro apps very beautiful. The thing that work a bit less it about the touch screen, I have a Acer T230H, and i've hard time reaching the very border of the screen where the "Charm" menu and "start menu" are because the plastic border of the screen are to big.

  • Matt Hall

    I have it as my main OS. It is faster than Win 7. IE 10 is faster than any browser I have ever used. I like metro, but can't see me using it much on the laptop, it will be great on a touch device. Microsoft should allow people to select to work fully metro, fully desktop or a mixture. They should not force you down either route.

  • ECM2

    On my Desktop - it runs well! Personally, I'm not looking for a Start Menu. But 90% want the Start Menu back and the Metro disabled. Microsoft must listen to the masses.

    On my Tablet (Acer Iconia W500) - it sucks! I agree with all the issues raised by Onoura since I'm experiencing most of them first hand. What seems strange is that Win8DP seems to run better than Win8CP. Now, I'm starting to have flashbacks of my old wish i.e. WP7 instead of Win8 on tablets. I have given up on this wish and thought I can lay it to rest.  I noticed that 5 updates were automatically installed yesterday. Hope some of these will address the performance issues I'm experiencing. Still keeping my fingers crossed (except when swiping).

  • Stephen Adams

    Being that this is a Consumer Preview and Microsoft hasn't announced a definitive date (people are expecting October), you're talking about:

    1. Beta software
    2. 8 months away from estimated ship date
    3. The Developer Preview came out in September 2011
    4. 5 months difference between Developer Preview and Consumer Preview

    ...I don't know about you, but the CP is world's better than the DP, and it's STILL BETA! 

    Let's not forget that.

  • Indra Nawawi Daeng Parani

    Dear Onuora,

    I hate to see you sad like that! Let me try to cheer you by telling my experiences installing the new Windows Program. I have a laptops Dell Inspiron 8600 machine, with only 512MB RAM memory. Both took 16 hours to completely reach my folder (8 hours each) from America, using the slow internet flash modem, they both failed at the first installation by asking for minimum 1GB RAM memory requirement, at this stage I feel bad.

    So eager to see what was promise by Microsoft, then I try to install the Windows Developer Preview on another computer for the first time and it's a Desktop using Amptron Main Board with a limited 1GB RAM memory using a flash disk. This time its done, and it shows no failure at all. The Program run smooth and I'm happy. 
    Still not satisfied using the Windows Developer Preview I then try The Windows 8 Consumers Preview on the same computer and it's okey, no harm done to the computer.
    Both show a lot of new exitements that I have'nt seen before, new improvements in many ways including the efficiency in energy consumption by increasing the speed, everything run as schedule, shows good performances all the way on Amptron Desktop.

    The next day, I was thinking, there should be a trick brought by most of Windows Program and maybe there's a possibility for my Dell Inspiron 8600 to run the new Windows Program, then I open the flash disk and see through the files and start the setup over again, and it still gave me unhappy report saying, "Your computer will be slow under 1GB RAM memory."
    and there's only one way out through the cancel button. There, I've been had. It means It still be possible to run under 1GB RAM memory, but slow. So I accidently open the resouces folder and try one of the setup.exe to run. Surprisingly, in the end it showed up with the most surprise I've ever seen. The Boot Manager was gone, replaced by Choose an Operating System, actually it is'nt gone but still there inactive. This part is the best Multiple Step Menu with a completeness, beautifully design that gave us the freedom to choose and made the manuver to what we desire. Then The Windows Developer Preview was launch by using 512MB RAM memory, I thought it would be slow, but the speed is unbelieveable, and more surprisingly that it automaticaly repair my slugish computer laptops, showing optimum performances as soon as it was updated.

    Until today, March 16, 2012, I have a collection of Windows Program on my Laptops; Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows Developer Preview set on a different drive on my disk, if it is possible for the experiment maybe someday, I'll try to set the Windows 8 Consumer Preview on my Dell Inspiron 8600 machine.

    Thank you.
        

  • Don Mckenzie

    I'm running W8 on a laptop and basically no problems. But it seems to be more suited to a touch screen system. When running it in desk-top mode, I can't see any advantages over W7, and it takes more extra key punches to get there. Also, when swiping with the touch pad, it takes 1 to 5 swipes to get the swipe to respond.  Many things take more key strokes and more wait time to access than with 7 or Vista or XP. I would like to see a set up option whereby one could choose Metro OR desktop with a Start menu. At this stage of development, I would say you need a touch screen to justify using it. It needs a lot more fine tuning to be a worth while replacement for W7.

  • Don Mckenzie

    I'm running W8 on a laptop and basically no problems. But it seems to be more suited to a touch screen system. When running it in desk-top mode, I can't see any advantages over W7, and it takes more extra key punches to get there. Also, when swiping with the touch pad, it takes 1 to 5 swipes to get the swipe to respond.  Many things take more key strokes and more wait time to access than with 7 or Vista or XP. I would like to see a set up option whereby one could choose Metro OR desktop with a Start menu. At this stage of development, I would say you need a touch screen to justify using it. It needs a lot more fine tuning to be a worth while replacement for W7.

  • CompUser

    I think your main problem might be that single-core (?) Atom processor and only 2 GB RAM. That's pretty close to minimal hardware support, isn't it? Especially for an "unpolished" operating system. According to a web search I just did, the the Atom processor really only likes Windows 7 Starter or Home Basic, so the Windows 8 CP might be a bit much for it. Get yourself a Samsung Series 7 Slate (or similar tablet) with an Intel i5 dual-core processor. It's made for Windows Home Premium or Professional.

    I have the Series 7 Slate with a 128 GB SSD, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, and the i5 with Windows 7 Professional, dock, bluetooth keyboard, the works. (Actually, I could never afford this, and it belongs to the company I work for. I'm the entire IT department for my location, and my boss bought it for me to play with and see if it would be an adequate replacement for laptops. It is.) Anyway, I'd like to put Windows 8 on it, but I also need to keep Windows 7 because it is a test project for work, so I convinced my boss to buy me a 64 GB microSD card. My goal was to use the card as a second HD, install Windows 8 on it, and have a dual-boot system. But I haven't found a way to do the Windows 8 installation because the card doesn't show up as an option (either in BIOS or by the Windows installer). I did an on-line chat with Samsung tech support, but believe it or not, they couldn't even tell me if the tablet would support a 64 GB microSD card, much less tell me if I could use it as a bootable drive.

    Anyway, I know this is off subject, Onuora, but do you (or one of your people) have any idea how I might be able to do this? I've tried reformatting the card as both FAT32 and NTFS (it comes formatted exFAT) to no avail. Ideally, I'd love to put in a 256 B SSD and partition it for the two operating systems, but that's way too expensive and the Series 7 Slate is sealed anyway. Thanks in advance for any ideas you might offer.

    • CompUser

      I now see that I was wrong about Windows supporting the Atom processor, as support is added with Windows 8.

  • Mike

     I have used Windows 8 Consumer Preview for about ten days now, I do not have any performance issue with the new Operating System still in development, it runs faster than Windows 7 on my spare Hp Compaq dc 7900 with Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 processor and  2 Gig RAM and I think its more secure. Talking about the Metro apps screen, we should bear in mind that this OS  was designed to be used on both the traditional desktop PCs and tablets and we should give kudos to Microsoft for trying to bridge the gap between the two. I strongly believe that the final version will not disappoint.

  • Michael cruz

    Hmm... it's badi mean windows 8 is little cool if you don't want to go in metro user interface then create a shortcut of all if you need for me it's safier a little bit and a faster than 7 and more easily to use why it's all mouse no right click then click paste just click on copy then paste by clicking it again it's not final windows 8 it's a early s stage meaning the current stage of the OS it's not even beta maybe in final version of 8 there's a disable of metro and all of your complaining is okay don't complain while it's in the early stage maybe in the final it's perfect 

  • michael cruz

    Hmm... it's badi mean windows 8 is little cool if you don't want to go in metro user interface then create a shortcut of all  you need then paste it in your desktop. for me it's safier a little bit and a faster than 7 and more easily to use why it's all mouse no right click then click paste just click on copy then paste by clicking it again it's not final windows 8 it's a early s stage meaning the current stage of the OS it's not even beta maybe in final version of 8 there's a disable of metro and all of your complaining is okay don't complain while it's in the early stage maybe in the final it's perfect

    -Done is better then perfect (mark zukerburg)

  • Sunny

    hmmmm. OK here is the thing, I use desktop PC with an LCD. for me it was not so good. the new metro style attracted me but I soon got bored of it. it has got nothing that I would like to quit using windows 7 for. Metro style is good but not needed by everyone using Microsoft windows. I don't think I will be using windows 8 but U never know :D

  • Hugo Rossi

    I installed Windows 8 on my main PC, and after two days uninstalled it again and went back to Win7. I completely disliked the Metro interface, and I think it should be totally optional on a PC - although I do have a touch screen! What I liked was the general performance of Windows 8, it felt smoother than Win7 does, if only a little. So, if Microsoft would please make the use of Metro optional on a PC I could be persuaded to use Windows 8 once it comes out for real (and all the hardware drivers I need are available).

  • H_b007

    For me, on a desktop PC running Win7 or Win8 from 2 same size harddisks, Win7 is fine, but Win8 is running terribly slow.
    So the Metro look is not even getting a chance to be popular with me.

  • http://profiles.google.com/ayansarkar007 Ayan Sarkar

    the only think i like about is the charms bar!

  • http://twitter.com/sharepointalex Alex Clark

    Intesting read, I can't comment on my experience with Win 8 on a tablet as I don't have one but I have been using it on my laptop ever since the CP was released. 

    I think it's important to remember that the CP is still very much beta software and as such will be buggy and not a true reflection of the finished product. Having said that though I am really enjoying it on my laptop.

    It's blindingly fast compared to Windows 7, especially sleep and resume. It actually makes me feel like I'm using a mac as my PC sleeps so quickly now and resumes in around 10/20 seconds. 

    I personally really like the Metro UI and think it behaves well with a keyboard and mouse, it makes the concept of a 'Start menu' seem so boring and last year. I actually look forward to visiting the start screen, apps are easy to find and I love the way you can just start typing to find an app.

    I do agree with your comment about Windows XP like mass refusal to move. Windows 8 is vastly different from what Windows XP and I think some stubborn users won't want to make the change.

    I'm certainly looking forward to the RC and the finished product - go Microsoft!!