My two cents......for me it's just a'ight-I sure wouldn't pay for it though.I don't think it will be as big of a fail as Vista but I've been wrong before
Whether I like the Metro interface or the absence of Start button or not, I will be using Windows 8 from RTM because it supports almost all the new hardware that came out since Win 7. Even on Windows 8 CP, it supported USB 3.0, WiFi, Nvidia GTX 560, newer LAN cards, etc. With Windows 7 and the new hardware that I have bought recently, I have to install all drivers to get anything to work. Without drivers, no network, no USB 3.0, no proper video resolution, etc.
Trivial case; Windows XP supports P3 era hardwares out-of-box. You need to install drivers from manufacturers to get maximum performance. Generic drivers can't give you such performance.
Yes that is true and I do install all drivers, but I could manage to run windows without drivers, for me, I can make a system image, then install drivers, and if there are issues, go back to the old image.
That's one of the reasons I normally like newer versions of Windows, too, and one of many reasons that I liked Vista over XP unlike a lot of others. I always install the latest drivers for the most major system components: chipset, graphics and RAID, but when an OS has native support for most or all hardware out of the box, it makes things easier; not having to separately install WIFI or ethernet drivers just to get on the internet after a fresh install. Eventually, unless I have some particular reason, I usually end up just staying with whatever drivers the Windows insallation and/or Microsoft Update offers for such trivial (to me) components as sound, WIFI, ethernet, modem (!), and even USB 3.0. Again, unless there's some particular reason such as performance. My USB 3.0 card I bought for my laptop, I couldn't even tell who actually made the USB 3.0 chipset until I installed Windows 8. While I didn't beat the subject to death previously in Google searches, I was glad since the "official" drivers on the card manufacturer's website were old and had some quirks, but both the ones that came with Windows 8 CP, and more recent drivers I found on the internet solved those quirks. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." - for relatively trivial components as I mentioned, there's hardly any reason to upgrade the drivers, and even if you do eventually, at least you have the convenience of everything working right in the meantime.
Windows OSs are progressive. Either you go with progress or you stay with what you're comfortable with.
OS development is ever progressive such as any other development in the time. Progress doesn't mean improvement. And when it is clear already that I need to 'unhide' appreciated features to make it useful then I cannot talk about improvement. A progress to a step backwards, lol.
I agree. People don't all use the same features. Even those who do use the same features don't all access them the same way. So for some Windows 8 is an improvement and for others it isn't. It's clear that Windows 8 is wrong for you and I respect that. I on the other hand love the changes in Windows 8 and will be upgrading all my machines.
While W8RC does not correctly working on my laptop I vote to keep W7 on it...BTW I waiting for W8RTM to see IF will work....
Maybe I'm living in some alternative reality than everyone else as other members here have indicated, but I would be satisfied with an OS that actually functions correctly at this point. Using Mac OS Lion 10.7.0 on SRWare Iron Browser on my living room Samsung 1366x768 television at the moment and everything seems ok dokey, no upgrades for me thank you. And this from someone who installed every single Windows 7 leaked build just for kicks!
Wow, I just installed the release preview, and omg, I do NOT like the massive amounts of live ID integration... It's a step too far regarding privacy invasion... Now yes, you can all say just create a local account, and this is what i've done. BUT if you first create a normal account then change it to a live account, it still keeps all your details... dodgy as feck... 0/10 Would not bang Windows 8.
I'm not sure why you would expect it not to keep your info if you change from a normal to live account. My impression (although I like the integration) is that it's just about as integrated as any modern mobile OS would be, which is sort of the aim IMHO. Android (my preferred), iOS, and I'm sure Windows Phone are all pretty integrated, but perhaps you don't like their level of integration either. To me, it's a convenience, not a hindrance. I know there's always a fight to find the best balance of convenience and security. What are your thoughts on the level of integration on other platforms such as Android and iOS?
Uhmm, what kind of details are we talking about, I assume details that you have already provided, right? What else can we talking about.... You are complaining that your right to privacy is being invaded because MS is keeping the information on your account that you provided to them? I don't understand, forgive me. I may not understand this process, let me try. 1)You create a MS account, provide whatever details you choose to 2)You purchase either a machine or at least a copy of Windows 8 and sign in to your account 3)It syncs the information that you originally provided them at your own choosing 4)This invades your right to privacy? Why not just create a new account?
Early on i accidentally voted no! Now after testing W8 I do like it (new/different isn't always bad), would like to change my vote now to YES now.
I almost did as well but then caught myself. I think I am starting to like some of the new features, It is sure hard getting used to no start button but what the heck, I see my next monitor possibly being a touch screen, then I'll likely appreciate Metro.... maybe... I have yet to vote because I haven't honestly made up my mind yet. I wonder how many people as yourself initially voted no and would like to either vote yes or hold their vote... I do think I'll get one or two of those $40 upgrades (or the cheaper ones if I decide on a new PC) just because I think I'll want it on 1 or 2...