Windows 8

[MerryWanna]

Does anyone use it yet?

I use Windows 7, and am in love with it.  It is everything the bane of Vista was supposed to be, and more.

But I only upgraded after a lot of good reports on it.

I don't seem to hear that many about 8.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

I hear a lot of complaints about how it looks, haven't heard anything about how it works. 

Still using XP for home and most of work, a few PCs at work have 7 and it's OK, the few times I ever had to use a machine running Vista I didn't like it.

[Space version 2.0]

I'm considering buying a second hard drive and installing it there to test it out, though that seems like it could be a little too expensive.
I guess I'm one of the few that never had an issue with Vista, actually kinda liked it too. Though I like 7 a lot better.

[Compound]

The handful of user reviews that I've seen basically boil down to "Not as bad as expected." Some minor gripes about the Windows store not listing system requirements for stuff and gripes about the start menu not staying in traditional desktop mode after a system restart, but so far I've seen no "Going back to Seven" posts from people who've been using it.

[AmandaGal]

I'm sure more people are using it now.  I like it so far.  I can't decide which laptop I want.  I need a replacement and those convertibles look neat, but not pimped out for the price.  I think I want to try a touchscreen though, even though it's a little gimmicky.  I thought iPads were gimmicky too, but not once I started using one. I can't imagine traveling without it now.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

My dad wanted a new computer while I was up there visiting last week, of course it came with Windows 8.

Since I've used tablets and smart phones I picked it up pretty fast, but it took a long time to explain it to him.  The start menu being replaced by the start page was the hardest thing for him to get used to.

Luckily I had already convinced him to switch to Firefox instead of IE, since it was so much faster on his 9 year old PC, so the new look of IE wasn't a big deal.

[mrbasehart]

I bought my mother a laptop for Christmas which came with Windows 8.  After about an hour of adjustment, it seems to be decent enough.  Doesn't seem as immediately flexible as 7 is though, which would probably be good for people not that computer literate.

[Variety of Cells]

So, how long before Microsoft updates/fixes this? I'm getting to the point where I need a new computer, but I'm hoping to leapfrog over Windows 8.

Windows 7 still works great.

[RVR II]

So, how long before Microsoft updates/fixes this? I'm getting to the point where I need a new computer, but I'm hoping to leapfrog over Windows 8.

Windows 7 still works great.

And new computers don't come with it.

Yeah that's a problem.. I picked up a stout but referb'd Dell for under $350 that had 7 on it but came with a free upgrade to 8 that I luckily never cashed in

[Thrifty Version II]

So, how long before Microsoft updates/fixes this? I'm getting to the point where I need a new computer, but I'm hoping to leapfrog over Windows 8.

Windows 7 still works great.

And new computers don't come with it.

You can wipe the hard drive and install Windows 7 over the factory installed version of Windows.  Or you can, in fact, buy computers with Windows 7 installed.

[Variety of Cells]

So, how long before Microsoft updates/fixes this? I'm getting to the point where I need a new computer, but I'm hoping to leapfrog over Windows 8.

Windows 7 still works great.

And new computers don't come with it.

I see. I didnt realize. I havent bought a pre built computer in 12 years. You could always just reformat and install 7, but that's annoying to have to pay extra for an old operating system. Though if you are using 7 now perhaps you could use your install disc on the new computer.

[Locuststakethesky]

So, how long before Microsoft updates/fixes this? I'm getting to the point where I need a new computer, but I'm hoping to leapfrog over Windows 8.

Windows 7 still works great.

And new computers don't come with it.

I'd say build your own machine if it's desktop (not hard at all, newegg will guide you), or go refurb.  I just bought a refurb laptop for my mum with Win7 on it.  Works great.  If you're trying to leapfrog 8 I think you'll be waiting a little while, and there's no guarantee whatever comes next will be any better.  Win7 is tried and true.

[Thrifty Version II]

Building your own machine is easy for some folks, but you gotta take into account that different people have different skill sets and either don't have the knowhow or the patience to deal with it.  I personally can, and did, build my last 2 computers from scratch, but my next one will probably be off the shelf just because I'd rather have something more reliable than the Frankenstein-ish PC I have now.

Besides of which, it's unnecessary when all a person wants is a different operating system.  Case like that, just buy something off the shelf and install the new OS on top of what's packaged, or buy a PC with the older OS on it (they're out there, as I showed in my link above).  You probably won't get one off the shelf at Best Buy, but that's what Internet shopping is for.

[Locuststakethesky]

Building your own machine is easy for some folks, but you gotta take into account that different people have different skill sets and either don't have the knowhow or the patience to deal with it.  I personally can, and did, build my last 2 computers from scratch, but my next one will probably be off the shelf just because I'd rather have something more reliable than the Frankenstein-ish PC I have now.

Besides of which, it's unnecessary when all a person wants is a different operating system.  Case like that, just buy something off the shelf and install the new OS on top of what's packaged, or buy a PC with the older OS on it (they're out there, as I showed in my link above).  You probably won't get one off the shelf at Best Buy, but that's what Internet shopping is for.

I'm not saying building your own machine is for everyone, I just think some people don't even realize it's an option.  If you never open your case then sure, off the shelf is fine.  The issue I have with off the shelf is all the bloatware and crap.  Also, when you pay for an off the shelf, you're also paying for a warranty, and if you go and install a new operating system over top of what's there, you void that warranty.  To each his own, really.

[Locuststakethesky]

So, how long before Microsoft updates/fixes this? I'm getting to the point where I need a new computer, but I'm hoping to leapfrog over Windows 8.

Windows 7 still works great.

And new computers don't come with it.

I'd say build your own machine if it's desktop (not hard at all, newegg will guide you), or go refurb.  I just bought a refurb laptop for my mum with Win7 on it.  Works great.  If you're trying to leapfrog 8 I think you'll be waiting a little while, and there's no guarantee whatever comes next will be any better.  Win7 is tried and true.

My desktop is fine; it's the laptop which is starting to churn and chug. I actually did buy a real copy of Windows 7 for my last desktop build, but don't they lock it off and disallow using it on more than one machine?  Something about an online verification code?

Yeah, you're basically paying for the code.  You can go on Newegg or Amazon and just buy another code (OEM) instead of the full retail copy of Windows (with CD).  I think it's $99.99 for Home Premium, or $139.99 for Professional.