as im getting a few new ssd's soon i will be reinstalling windows and i do need windows 8 for developing some programs i know i can always use dual os but i would prefare having only 1
what are the downsides in windows 8 apart from the layout
i am mainly into hardcore gaming and software development mainly around games
i've really encountered no down sides, the interface takes some getting used to, but i've seen faster load times, less drivers to install, and no software compatibility issues (which alot of people bring up?)
its windows 7 with a useless metro shell
If you have it boot to desktop and install a start menu, its like windows 7 v2. There is a new kernel so it boots faster and performs all around faster and is less resource intensive. I have noticed a couple program incompatabilities, such as Pro Tools 10, but they were easily fixed by running in Windows 7 Mode.
I have yet to find a real complaint against Windows 8. It even does 2+ monitors better IMO than Win7 by having the task bar on every window.
Windows 8
Pros:
Faster and lighter than Windows 7
Cons:
Metro and charms interfaces
No start button
No way to easily search the entire computer (you have to search within folders rather than just searching the entire computer)
It's new and is going to have some driver issues and glitches with certain programs until most or all of them are fixed in Service Pack 1
ow so in w8 u dont have the search bar u have in start menu in w7?
Searching your entire computer is done through the search in the charms bar silly... :P
Bottom line
windows 7 have a few years of support under its belt and has been reiable for most games and software.
windows 8 just came out, it's faster in boot time and more efficent (so i've heard) at using cpu and allocating ram, but it hasn't matured into serv pack 1 yet, there will still be some driver or compatabilty issues because not ALL companys have integrated their software to the windows 8.
I expect much more secure and reliable consistancy with serv park 1.
the new interface will take some getting used to, you'll have to say good bye to the start button but windows 8 isn't that bad.
I personally wouldn't get it untill serv pack 1, but that's just me.
Maybe I'm thinking of a different search utility, but I've seen it in multiple overview videos where you have to click on specific folders and then type in what your looking for rather than just searching the entire C: Drive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKDZ7CVKgt8
Notice how you have to click on specific things in the side bar like apps, settings, and files. If you search for something in apps, but it's really under files, then it's not going to pop up for you.
Im on windows 8 and have been for a few months and have not had the problems Mohawk716 is describing. Just played Chivalry a mnute ago, might be a driver thing. also if you have LucidMVP or whatever its called on most games crash at boot.
+1 just tried chivalry now and it worked fine
I read trim doesnt work in raid 0 for ssd drives in windows 7, but does putting a couple ssd drives in raid 0 on windows 8 support trim?
you can easaly set the windows 7 explorer to windows8 that gives windows 8 a normal taskbar and start menu, and it will boot into desktop mode, there are enough tweaks for that.
further windows 8 is lighter then windows 7, cause it dont has aero crap... i have a tweaked version of windows8 that allways boots into desktop mode, there i can choose wich interface i wanne use, metro or windows 7 explorer... so windows 8 is cool, the only crapy thing i discoverd is internet explorer 10 but you can easaly install a diffrent browser.:)
and windows media player codecs are not supported in windows 8 eaven in the media center edition, you cant play all movie files, but yes install vlc media player, and that problem is solved to..
i say windows 8 look more like windows xp to, just basic settings with to much nonsence