so for my new build im doing this christmas, should i go with windows 7 or windows 8 (this is a gaming build)
please ellaborate in your answers
Windows 8 because it is faster, more efficient, improved a lot of key areas like file transferring and Task Manager. Not only is it actually faster, but it really feels faster when you use it mostly due to the massive improvements Microsoft made in 2D rendering. I remember seeing some posts a while back where they had improved 2D performance by as much as 400% in some areas.
Other reasons include longer support from Microsoft. 8 will be relevant longer than 7 simply due to the fact that 7 is already 3 years old (and 8 is not another Vista as much as some people want it to be). There are "no plans" to release DirectX 11.1 for Windows 7, which isn't going to be a massive issue really, but maybe something to consider.
Windows 8 will also get better 3rd-party developer support in the long run. It's also kind of neat to be able to get these simple little "apps" from the Windows store that normally would only be available on smartphones/tablets but can run on your PC because there are some nifty apps that seem to be "exclusive" to these app stores and it's nice to be able to run them on a desktop.
One thing I like is that I got this app called MyTime which is super simple, it's just a stopwatch/countdown clock. But since I have two monitors I can throw it up on my secondary monitor where it takes up the whole screen and then I can start a 30 minute countdown while I do work on my primary monitor to give myself more "urgency" to complete something.
I know I could set countdowns on a whole bunch of other devices or ways of doing it, but I don't know, I just found it pretty neat.
Then there's this other super simple app called "Corporate BS Generator" where you just click through a bunch of phrases that use nonsensical corporate jargon. It's just little things like those that you don't typically find on a traditional desktop OS that are cool to play around with.
When it comes to the Start screen, it just takes a little getting used to. Personally I find it way better than that tiny little box in the corner known as the Start menu. Now that I've adjusted I would not go back to the menu at all. Having a screen that just has everything front and center exactly how I want it is really nice. You can also pin things to the Start screen in Windows 8 that I'm pretty sure you couldn't pin to the Start menu in Windows 7. An example is on my Start screen I have a direct shortcut straight to Windows Update, bypassing the process of having to go to Control Panel first.
Last but not least, your desktop still works the same as it did in Windows 7. The only real UI difference is now you have a Start screen, not menu. I'll put the picture below so you can see they also made changes to the Explorer UI since it has a ribbon now, but that can be collapsed as well.
I don't know, I don't expect everyone to agree with me. This is just all my personal opinion for the most part.
If i were to ever buy an OS i'd get windows 8 then use some of the stardock utilities until classic shell comes out. The pros of the OS (1click reformat would make my life so easy) outway the cons of the UI at least to me.
I will have to see if the debugger and crash dump analysis tools I use will work with 8..... i don't see why not, but ya can't b too careful...
Nope don't agree windows 8 with classic shell is far better, screw that tablet crap.
Was the UI concept "tablet crap" when it was implemented in Windows 3.1 too?
Windows 8 is Microsoft trying to take over the tablet and phone markets with their OS. The desktop is fading from the mainstream purchaser. If you don’t believe me go into a Future shop and look how many desktops are available now. At one time they filled 2 rows and today you are lucky to see 4-5 different desktops available. They are already making hardware to accommodate Windows 8 platform and to me there is something inherently wrong with this concept. Windows 8 will not be used for businesses that have a server. Most large businesses are still using XP so I don’t see 7 updates going away for a long time. Even Logan recommends waiting until the first service pack comes out for 8 before considering buying it. My opinion is to stick to 7 for now and use an SSD if you are looking for speed.
Majority of businesses have moved to 7 already and the rest are in the process of moving to it. Then there's probably that very small miniority who are still on it and not even planning to move. The most common OSes you'd see today (for Microsoft only) are Windows 7 for clients and Windows Server 2008 R2 for servers.
I say that because all the IT staff at my college, who are or have at some point done service work for many businesses as independent contractors, have told me that.
The reason I said that is because I have worked for some very large corporations and XP Pro is still the OS of choice. Also the cost to the company VS the benefits just are not there.
As Evo said, Windows 8 is Microsoft's entry into the immense market that are tablets and smartphones( which is still growing). Everyone knows the potential of that market. Sales of tablets and smartphones have never been higher, while desktops have never been lower. If Microsoft can capitalize on that growth, then it can earn big bucks and level the playing field with Apple and Google. Microsoft is struggling because of the boom of that market, but it doesn't want to see it as a threat. Instead, it wants to use it to "slingshot" it back to fame.
Back to the original question. Tests have shown that 8 shows a a little more FPS in games than 7. Some even show an increase in productivity. I think you should wait for SP1 though, as Logan said, so they( Microsoft) can fix all the problems in the OS. Also, hardware support isn't really the greatest in 8, and while older hardware can run 8, drivers are a pain in the ass to install, even if you use DRSPu
Why would it still be the OS of choice? 7 and Server 2008 R2 make so many tasks easier and support more secure technologies. Not to mention, XP support is ending completely April 2014.
Computer applications in business 101, just because it is available and is better does your company need it? Two examples of companies I will give are Sears and the Whirlpool Corporation. Can you begin to imagine the cost of changing over to a different OS when for their business practices XP is working just fine? Until they stop making updates they will continue to use what they have as it will not affect their bottom line. XP is a very stable reliable OS for business and that is why so many went to it in the first place, not because it was new and exciting. I'm not trying to be rude, please understand, but when we are talking corporations money is the only thing that matters, period.
XP in the enterprise sector i being phased out, extended support for the OS will be cut in mid 2014 making it "unsuitable" for any secure enterprise network. Dounds like a long time away but if you figute that there's like 500 days of xp support left, then you have to upgrade the 500 MILLION pcs using XP to windows 7. The haydays are coming to an end and it is not going to be pretty.