News Windows 8 Consumer Preview Available

[fitz]

We're a bit late getting the news out, but a Consumer Preview of Microsoft's next Operating System release is available for download.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview

It's Windows reimagined and reinvented from a solid core of Windows 7 speed and reliability. It's an all-new touch interface. It's a new Windows for new devices. And it's your chance to be one of the first to try it out.

For anyone that has tried it yet, I'm curious what your thoughts are on the new interface changes they have made with Windows 8.

:source: Microsoft Windows 8 Consumer Preview Page

:source: ISO Image download

 

[American Zombie]

I may pass on Windows 8 as, after using it since first release stages, it reminds me of a tablet OS.

I think Win 8 may fail just like Vista did.

 

[Johnny]

I am going to install it on my vmware and see what it does.

 

[Johnny]

I installed it on my vmware. I don't like it. I also think it will flop. They need to bring the start button back. Plus the start up and them requiring you to give you email address is a major no no for me.

 

[American Zombie]

I installed it on my vmware. I don't like it. I also think it will flop. They need to bring the start button back. Plus the start up and them requiring you to give you email address is a major no no for me.

Did it feel like a tablet to you too?

 

[Johnny]

Did it feel like a tablet to you too?

Yes, in a way it did.

 

[LordOfLA]

I installed it on my vmware. I don't like it. I also think it will flop. They need to bring the start button back. Plus the start up and them requiring you to give you email address is a major no no for me.

You can make a local account too. However linking it to a hotmail/windows live mail account is handy for storing settings on microsofts cloud systems.

 

[LordOfLA]

Overall I like it.

It's snappier than windows 7 at a technical level, keyboard and mouse work quite well with the metro start ui now as well.

The change over is quite jarring though and this will be a major barrier to adoption. While faster once you adjust. Most people being human and not liking change at all will be highly resistant to adapting.

Additionally I think you're going to want a fairly high end pc purchased with mid-high end parts as at time of windows 8 release and an SSD of some sort to boot windows 8 from. Those of us still using core 2 quad/duo and the amd equivalents are not going to see much benefit from the techical under the hood stuff.

 

[Johnny]

I can get past the login in information. But the start up is going to be tough. I want it to go to my desktop, not a screen full of blocks to push on. They also need to get the start menu back.

I don't think it is going to do very well, and people will stay with windows 7 till the next version comes out. That seems to be their pattern. They release a good one, and the next one sucks.

 

[American Zombie]

What you have to do now is click corners or use hotkeys.

Windows 8 Tricks, Tips and Shortcuts to Make the Preview Process Less Painful

 

[Johnny]

What you have to do now is click corners or use hotkeys.

Windows 8 Tricks, Tips and Shortcuts to Make the Preview Process Less Painful

That is too much for the average user to want to do.

 

[LordOfLA]

That is too much for the average user to want to do.

Not really. It is just that 95% of people are going to resist adapting to highly efficient changes in interaction because it changed, not because it is bad or slower.

 

[Xie]

Though a bit odd, from the bit I've messed with it in the VM I think the UI is nicer then 7 (a step backwards from XP IMHO). I'm not sold on it though, and why I will continue to only use Windows only in a VM. 🙂

 

[Johnny]

Not really. It is just that 95% of people are going to resist adapting to highly efficient changes in interaction because it changed, not because it is bad or slower.

That is what will make it flop.

 

[Sazar]

That is what will make it flop.

Don't adopt to the lowest common denominator 🙂

AnandTech - In-Depth with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Good article with lots of tips and tricks. It's a good read and also discusses some of the challenges brought up in this thread.

 

[Johnny]

Don't adopt to the lowest common denominator 🙂

AnandTech - In-Depth with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Good article with lots of tips and tricks. It's a good read and also discusses some of the challenges brought up in this thread.

Are there any tips for bypassing the stupid startup and going straight to the desktop?

 

[American Zombie]

Are there any tips for bypassing the stupid startup and going straight to the desktop?

Try this: Bypass Windows 8 Start Screen On Startup & Jump Directly To Desktop

 

[Johnny]

Try this: Bypass Windows 8 Start Screen On Startup & Jump Directly To Desktop

I saw that. I also saw that Windows 8 developer edition has a registry tweak to do it. The Metro, from what I read today, is for touch screens and mobile devices. I can guarantee that it will be the reason this flops. Especially in businesses. I will stick to my mac and avoid windows till they get rid of it. Maybe windows 9 will not have the stupid metro.

 

[American Zombie]

People will buy Windows 8 then start complaining about fingerprints on their screen or having to clean the screen all the time. 🙂

 

[Johnny]

People will buy Windows 8 then start complaining about fingerprints on their screen or having to clean the screen all the time. 🙂

Possibly, but I still think this one will flop. I wouldn't be surprised if it gets as bad press as Windows Vista did 🙂