·Carolina Mountai.. Synology RT2600ac Linksys E2000
1 edit
1 recommendation |
[WIN8] Windows 8 --- What benifits over W7-64?When I learned that W7 would play AVCHD footage natively, that alone was the selling point for W7. As I learned, Stability of W7-64 over XP, (and my main software Supporting only 64 bit OS) also influenced this decision....
However..... I haven't heard of any features that W8 brings to the table that were as Important as 64 bit OS and AVCHD were to W7 compared to XP....
I'm not bashing.... I'm an end user... And in order for me to decide to Update my existing Main unit --- OR NOT --- (2 Quad Core Xeons, Many drives, 24Gb Ram, Quadro fx 4800 display) I'd want to know "What's IN IT For Me?"...
Other than GUI changes, I've not heard of any "Must Have" features that will entice me to upgrade....
Have I missed something obvious????
Thank You.. |
|
Dustyn Premium Member join:2003-02-26 Ontario, CAN |
Dustyn
Premium Member
2012-Sep-23 10:03 am
Good question, I feel the same way. |
|
JohnInSJ Premium Member join:2003-09-22 Aptos, CA |
to Jan Janowski
said by Jan Janowski:Other than GUI changes, I've not heard of any "Must Have" features that will entice me to upgrade.... There are several, I posted links on another win8 thread friday... » Re: [WIN8] Is Metro required to use it? |
|
mozerdLight Will Pierce The Darkness MVM join:2004-04-23 Nepean, ON |
to Jan Janowski
|
|
Dustyn Premium Member join:2003-02-26 Ontario, CAN |
Dustyn
Premium Member
2012-Sep-23 11:12 am
Nothing must have in either of those posts for myself... |
|
|
plencnerb Premium Member join:2000-09-25 53403-1242 |
to Jan Janowski
Its not a "must have" but I did find a program that I use on a daily basis that is NOT compatible with Windows 8. That program is McAfee Enterprise Version 8.8 (Screen shot of the about box above for reference). I remember when Windows 7 first came out, the latest (at the time) version of this software was not supported on Windows 7. Its been a while now, but I think that was version 7 something or another. Version 8.7.0i works on Windows 7, as does Version 8.8. However, when you try to install Version 8.8 on Windows 8, you get a warning that it is not compatible (sorry did not save a screen shot of the message). While you can install it, a LOT of things don't work right. For example, the auto update feature always will fail (you will have to manually download any DAT updates). The task to run a full system scan will also not run on the set schedule (like the updates, you have to run this yourself). Not to mention, I saw quite a number of warnings and errors in the event log from McAfee (and its associated processes) every time I did a reboot, as things were not compatible. If it was actually doing its job as a virus scanner, I'm not really sure. Which is why late last night and into this morning, I went back to Windows 7. So, if you run this as your virus scanner, you will have to either wait for McAfee to come out with its next version that is supported on Windows 8, or switch AV's. In my case, I've been with McAfee for years, so I'll just wait until the next version comes out before I move to 8. --Brian |
|
Tyreman join:2002-10-08 Cambridge, ON |
to Jan Janowski
Very good question I have been trying '8 on another drive and still haven't figured out any real benefit .........other than '8 loads the few drivers, network, sound etc for you. For me its appears to be a touch screen Operating System of some sort |
|
plencnerb Premium Member join:2000-09-25 53403-1242 |
plencnerb
Premium Member
2012-Sep-23 12:12 pm
The one thing that I did notice about Window 8 on my system was that it appeared to me that the colors were "crisper" I'm not sure how to describe it, but if I look at a picture that I took recently with my digital camera (don't have it in front of me, but its an olympus and a few years old) when I had Windows 8 installed, the colors seemed to be more "real" to me. Like the picture looked exactly like it would when I was standing there taking it. When I went back to Windows 7, they seemed to loose a bit of kick so to speak. For reference, this is the video card I have » www.tigerdirect.com/appl ··· 145-0222And my monitor » www.tigerdirect.com/appl ··· V18-2235I am current on the video drivers (for both OS's), and I got them direct from nvidia's webpage. Again, it might just be me, but that was something I noticed. In fact, a lot of the images (web pages, photo's that I have taken, etc) seemed to be more "real" looking in Windows 8. Almost like they kicked up something in their video drivers maybe? --Brian |
|
|
to mozerd
I didn't see anything in the 10 or 30 that became an instant: "Must Have". Keeping an 'Open Mind'. |
|
redxii Mod join:2001-02-26 Michigan Asus RT-AC3100 Buffalo WZR-HP-G300NH2
1 recommendation |
to Jan Janowski
I loaded up Windows 8 RTM Pro. All I see were reduced features, at a glance:
- No more Media Center for free/included (I watch TV on my computer) - Personalization settings removed. I hate the ridiculously large window borders/title bar size I can no longer edit those easily. - Start menu. I used it quite a bit; search; pinning, shortcuts to my personal directories & system tools, etc. - Native DVD playback
Big frickin' whoop at the pcpro.co.uk article. Native USB 3 support and new task manager, nice, but all the rest of the stuff geared to mobile, touchscreen & "cloud"? My PC is not a phone or tablet. |
|
|
USB3 support? I'm using that in W7-64 already. What does it add over W7 now, or, are you talking about how speed test programs can't track the USBV3 drives? |
|
|
to plencnerb
said by plencnerb:The one thing that I did notice about Window 8 on my system was that it appeared to me that the colors were "crisper" If this were true, marketing would be pushing it, and they're not. quote: When I went back to Windows 7, they seemed to loose a bit of kick so to speak.
Lose is spelled l-o-s-e. |
|
plencnerb Premium Member join:2000-09-25 53403-1242 |
Like I said, it just appeared to me that was the case. I of course have no actual proof that they did make a change in Windows 8 to do what I thought I saw. I was really just pointing it out to see if other people noticed something similar, and if they did, was there some real proof behind it, or was it just our mind playing tricks on us. As far as my spelling goes, I am grateful to have both a built-in spell checker inside of Waterfox, and the spell check button here on the forum. I can't spell to save my life! Of course, since loose is actually a word, neither spell checker caught it. --Brian |
|
1 recommendation |
to Jan Janowski
This is a fairly subjective question. Using your example, there are a lot of people who use Windows and dont even know what AVCHD / H.264 is or even care to know. If I recall correctly Vista received AVCHD / H.264 support via the Media Center TV Pack and or requisite companion add-on to said TV pack (circa 2008). However, to answer your question, since the demise of drive extender in Windows Home Server and to a larger degree the demise of the Windows Home Server product line as a whole, I could see using the Windows 8 Storage Spaces feature to finally update my aging server(s). Further still I could also see the Windows 8 Storage Spaces feature as a nice addition for systems running an SSD if it allows the addition of another SSD in a single drive pool while still allowing for TRIM and without degrading performance (data load balancing and so on). There may be some grammatical issues with my post above. Since it seems the grammar police are out in full swing I just want to say in advance I dont care if I made any errors,
.. |
|
Alcohol Premium Member join:2003-05-26 Climax, MI |
to Jan Janowski
I don't know any benefits other than consolidated store for apps.
I really feel like i'm running 2 different operating systems. Majority of the time i'm in desktop but for email i go back to metro. I have programs open in desktop and apps (which i have to admit look really nice) in metro.
I don't plan to upgrade my main PC from win7-64 because i have too many programs open at once for it to work in metro. I need to be able to see outlook while i'm in the browser and that doesn't work in full screen apps ( i know you can do side by side but that's only 2 programs).
Win8 will be good for tablets and hybrids. HP envy 2 looks like a really nice concept. Just need a superior company to make it. |
|
MadnessLike a flea circus at a dog show join:2000-01-05 Lynn, MA |
IMO, I don't see any benefit over W7. I've hated Metro, from the start, since I can't scroll it vertically. Horizontally is just too awkward on a traditional PC (might be fine on a smartphone or tablet w/ touch). Think I'll save my 50-70 bucks. |
|
OZO Premium Member join:2003-01-17 |
to plencnerb
said by plencnerb:Like I said, it just appeared to me that was the case. I of course have no actual proof that they did make a change in Windows 8 to do what I thought I saw. I was really just pointing it out to see if other people noticed something similar, and if they did, was there some real proof behind it, or was it just our mind playing tricks on us. It's an old and well known placebo effect. It's like new-Windows-OS-runs-faster effect, that many users rush to report here, despite the fact, that every new Windows OS introduces more code to run (meaning CPU should do more work). This effect always flies fine because of several reasons. a) marketing wants users to believe that ... for obvious reasons; b) users usually get new Windows OS with a new hardware, which runs faster for obvious reasons; c) users usually try new OS after a new fresh installation procedure, while they try compare its speed to their old installation that always runs slower for obvious reasons; d) old Windows OS installations usually got updated with respective service packs placed over the old installations. It makes comparison with new version of OS not fair, as it would be in case, if those users were offered an easy way to make new and fresh installs of Windows OS with integrated service packs instead of just update packs running over the old OS... Bottom line, what you see is just a placebo effect. Image can't be made more "real" or "crisper" with just a software update. It'd require at least new monitor with a wider color gamut, better contrast, etc. |
|
|
to Jan Janowski
Windows To Go (The Microsoft equivalent of Linux LiveUSBs) Convenient if you've got a 1tb portable hard drive. I have to say its nice to have a full blown os instead of some halfling like bartpe, which is only WinXP, or a WinPE build (which seems too complicated/time consuming) |
|
|
RazzyWin8 to Madness
Anon
2012-Sep-25 10:53 am
to Madness
said by Madness:IMO, I don't see any benefit over W7. I've hated Metro, from the start, since I can't scroll it vertically. Horizontally is just too awkward on a traditional PC (might be fine on a smartphone or tablet w/ touch). Think I'll save my 50-70 bucks. You don't need to use Metro apps on your desktop. Use the desktop for desktop... not sure why I'm keep saying that. I still loving Windows 8 for desktop. And I don't even have a touchscreen monitor... |
|
dave Premium Member join:2000-05-04 not in ohio |
dave to OZO
Premium Member
2012-Sep-25 11:29 am
to OZO
said by OZO:Image can't be made more "real" or "crisper" with just a software update. It'd require at least new monitor with a wider color gamut, better contrast, etc. Sure they can. Software has a choice in what it does with the bits on the way between the picture file and the display controller. Maybe just tweak the curves on the colour-matching, for example. Punch up the saturation just a little... The OS certainly has colour management capabilities built in, so it's not infeasible that they have changed. ("Real" and "crisp" are in the eye of the beholder, of course. Punched-up colour is not necessarily real, just more attention-grabbing and thus more impressive. Which is why Samsung TVs come with ridiculous default settings). |
|
aa2k join:2000-10-06 Damascus, MD |
to Jan Janowski
FYI -
If for any reason you need "Client for NFS" to connect to a NFS share on your network you are out of luck, Windows 8 Pro (retail/rtm/msdn) is missing this component and no way to install it, Enterprise and VL has this option under "Turn off/on features" but they are not on sale on regular retail channels. |
|
|
to Jan Janowski
It's kind-of sad that the big seller on the list for me is that Microsoft promises to arbitrarily restart my computer "less often" when they decide to push Trojan patches out, and will offer a 72 hour notice rather than 20 minutes when they do it.
I have long suspected the MS also resets Windows Updates to automatic occasionally, but have never been able to prove it. |
|
BlackbirdBuilt for Speed Premium Member join:2005-01-14 Fort Wayne, IN 2 edits |
to Jan Janowski
It all reminds me of the "Detroit" syndrome. Companies make the bulk of their revenue by selling things, and when their products are relatively durable (in a longevity, usefulness sense), the most significant way to spur sales is the marketing of new "features" that differentiate the new product from the still-useful older products. Marketing focuses on convincing buyers that the new product posseses "must-have" features and a "trendy" appearance, as well as contains purported essential bells and whistles lacking in the old product. For a hundred years, automobiles have been sold this way - model year after model year. And, indeed at times, technological advances have eventually made older models "obsolete" in many ways, though a functional ancient car model will still get a driver to his destination sooner or later. What makes the old car 'obsolete' is very often only the evolution of driver expectations... and it's the job of a company's marketing department to increase those expectations each time a new version is developed. The more new versions successfully marketed, the more sales revenue - at least, until the point is reached where the market resists a new version because of the investment costs relative to buyers' economic conditions.
Some software developers issue new models of basic software mainly because their older designs, while still functional, are no longer compatible with growing numbers of current platforms or with essential emergent technology. Such companies' revenue growth comes primarily from developing new, innovative products for new arenas or finding significantly better ways for their existing products to perform their prior tasks. IMO, Microsoft (as well as many other "big boys" in the software/computer industry) makes their revenue by regularly marketing "new" versions every couple of years regardless of market demand, just as Detroit markets "new" car models each year. The marketing department is then tasked with developing all manner of tactics to somehow stimulate "demand" by convincing the prospective customers that the features added into the new version are "must-have" and "trendy".
When a new version genuinely reflects major technology shifts and presents powerful new features, it will be self-evident. When that is not the case, there will be all manner of puzzlement in the marketplace as many prospective customers ask themselves (and others) what possible genuine benefits the new product offers over the old. IMHO, this is exactly the latter situation... and Windows 8 is simply a product whose time-to-release has come up (in order to meet Microsoft's recurring revenue demands), rather than a product based on genuine, pre-existent market demand. While there's absolutely nothing 'wrong' in that, it's useful to keep it clearly in mind amidst the growing hype and spin. |
|
|
I see your point.
However, I dont necessarily agree with the sentiment, at least not completely anyway.
The upgrade cycle for Microsoft software in general may be arbitrary and the perceived value of the feature set of the upgrade(s) may vary. However, the cost of the product / product line often remains fairly static. A company that continually produces software may be perceived as improving incrementally, although, its not extraordinary if the product seems derivative at some point.
Microsoft could stagnate and likely would still make fairly good sales in OEM preinstalled systems (for a while). However, the competition such as Apple, Google and others wouldnt stagnate and could increase market share during such a time. Which is not to say they wont gain in market share anyway.
Apple has presumably moved to an annual OS X upgrade cycle. Thats about three OS X full version upgrades for each Windows OS upgrade. Also look how well stagnation worked out for Microsoft in the tablet segment of the market.
The technology market is similar to a lot of species of sharks,
.they better keep moving or they will die. |
|
|
Glen T
Member
2012-Sep-26 3:15 pm
One of the interesting aspects of this, is that outside of the group of what I would call "enthusiasts" the typical OS consumer will likely no longer be interested in upgrading their OS. Times have changed from the 90's when we were begging for a new OS. Today, upgrade sales must be minimal because of driver issues and because hardware is cheap to replace. People will get the new OS when they buy a new box.
The other interesting issue is that Bill G. when he was designing Vista (code named Longhorn or whatever) envisioned all kinds of innovations for the new platform that, one by one, were dropped as Vista development dragged on. The interesting part of this is that I don't think any of those innovations (such as a DB based file system) have ever seen the light of day in Win7 or now, Win8.
And Bill G. got put out to pasture as a result of his failure with Vista. |
|
JohnInSJ Premium Member join:2003-09-22 Aptos, CA |
JohnInSJ
Premium Member
2012-Sep-26 5:36 pm
said by Glen T:And Bill G. got put out to pasture as a result of his failure with Vista. Wow, that's an interesting take on history. |
|
|
to Glen T
said by Glen T:And Bill G. got put out to pasture as a result of his failure with Vista. That's not even close to accurate. |
|
|
Glen T
Member
2012-Sep-26 6:23 pm
How long was Vista delayed? What was the list of features that was dropped from Vista? Wasn't this the only MS project that Bill personally oversaw, since he wrote BASIC? Yeah, I know, he retired with full honors to oversee his foundation. Maybe I overstated. After Vista flopped, Bill put himself out to pasture. |
|
JohnInSJ Premium Member join:2003-09-22 Aptos, CA |
JohnInSJ
Premium Member
2012-Sep-26 6:36 pm
said by Glen T:How long was Vista delayed? What was the list of features that was dropped from Vista? Wasn't this the only MS project that Bill personally oversaw, since he wrote BASIC?
Yeah, I know, he retired with full honors to oversee his foundation.
Maybe I overstated. After Vista flopped, Bill put himself out to pasture. Try again. Maybe use google. Or bing. |
|
|
Glen T
Member
2012-Sep-26 6:41 pm
I've got a million of them. Like MS ripping off IBM when they were supposed to be working on OS/2 by using the same team to develop NT. Really, MS has not had an original idea since BASIC. |
|