Windows 8 - Upgrade or not?

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babblemouth

  • #1
    Currently I have Windows Vista Business on one of my laptops and I was looking to upgrade it to Windows 8 so that the whole 'thing' doesn't pass me by but when I explore my upgrade options, on many sites an upgrade to Windows 8 Business can range from <£50 to £189.99 from Microsoft themselves :eek:

    I wonder if i'm looking at two different products and/or even if I should upgrade at all - any thoughts?
     
    fisicx

    fisicx

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  • #4
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    D

    daveymck

  • #5
    As its not for a touchscreen I wouldn't bother, but then all my home pc's except for my daughters laptop (she loves windows 8 fwiw) are still on XP never seen any real reason to upgrade any of them.
     
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    Lucky7CompSolutions

  • #7
    I am going to say no wait till its more of a stable version and when 8.1 is released, too many people rushing out to buy windows 8 only to be disappointed.
    its a big change from vista to windows 8.
     
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    cjd

    cjd

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    • Nov 23, 2005
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  • #14
    babblemouth said:
    or even if I should upgrade at all - any thoughts?
    Click to expand...

    Wait a couple more months until Windows 8.1 is out. Microsoft have admitted they made a mistake with the user interface on W8 and are reverting to a classic version in 8.1.

    http://www.voipfoneblog.co.uk/?p=998

    If you move now you'll have to learn a whole new UI and it's a dog for a laptop or PC.

    The underlying OS is a big improvement on Vista though so it's definately worth upgrading. (If Vista runs ok, Win 8 should be fine but it's worth running the compatibility checker first.)
     
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    Jim2k

    Jim2k

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  • #16
    Homer J Simpson said:
    I'm still on XP. My only reason to even think about an upgrade is the it will recognise over 4GB of RAM. Which I'm not even sure I actually need..........
    Click to expand...

    You might find you'll need to upgrade once XP goes out of support. No security fixes means you will be ripe for becoming part of a botnet or some other attack.

    I did a blog post on it recently for anyone who's interested.
     
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    fisicx

    fisicx

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  • #17
    I think you will find it's a lot more than 20%

    Many businesses can't upgrade. My partner works in banking and they can only use XP. Later versions of windows do not comply with the FSA requirements.

    Remember that later versions of windows pretty much require an internet connection do do all sorts of things. If you have a secure intranet then it's no good having a OS than needs internet to work properly.
     
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    CSHTech

    CSHTech

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  • #18
    Nord20 said:
    If it was me, and you're using a regular desktop or laptop (not touchscreen), I'd upgrade it to Windows 7, where I'm sure you'll be happy for some time to come.
    Click to expand...

    I agree.

    Yes Windows 8.1 is coming out in a Service Pack that will make it act a bit more like Windows 7, but if Windows 7 is a good OS and will be supported for years to come, what is in Windows 8 that is a must-have upgrade (at least for non-touchscreen users)?

    Also, tweaking the OS like this makes me a little nervous.....I'd rather have one that works first time ;)

    Chris
     
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    bsummers

  • #19
    I don't really recommend that you upgrade to Windows 8 for now. I use Windows 8, too, and the system is a wee bit troubling for me. It would be a better idea to just wait until a new version comes out that is easier to use.
     
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    asonda

    asonda

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  • #20
    Honestly, Just hold off a tiny tiny bit longer and wait for 8.1.

    You can download software to reinstate the desktop and start button but it looks as if Microsoft have admitted defeat and are going to bring it back.

    However, if your hardware can run Vista, it will most definitely be OK with 8.1
     
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    H

    Homer J Simpson

  • #21
    Yes, this was my worry. I though support had already stopped.

    I'm planning a complete upgrade of hardware & software soon anyway, so will tackle it all in one go.

    I'm happy to wait for the update to windows 8 and see what people think of it before I take the plunge.
     
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    H

    Homer J Simpson

  • #22
    fisicx said:
    I think you will find it's a lot more than 20%

    Many businesses can't upgrade. My partner works in banking and they can only use XP. Later versions of windows do not comply with the FSA requirements.

    Remember that later versions of windows pretty much require an internet connection do do all sorts of things. If you have a secure intranet then it's no good having a OS than needs internet to work properly.
    Click to expand...

    I'm not sure the FSA have and specific requirements as to the O/S used. Maybe the banks excuse for not spending money.......
     
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    TickledPink

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  • #24
    Jim2k said:
    I'm surprised so many are urging to stay with Vista. I would take the 'quirks' of 8 over Vista any day!
    Click to expand...

    Unfortunately, for many the 'quirks' of 8 are more than just 'quirks'. When a 'quirk' makes an OS virtually unusable unless you use a touchscreen then it's something rather more serious.

    Windows 8 has become a disaster for Microsoft. Vista was its previous attempt at disaster but even that is 100 times better than Windows 8. I did consider upgrading (the term 'upgrading to Windows 8' is a bit of an oxymoron) the laptop so I could do some development work. Microsoft insist you use Windows 8 when you want to develop Windows Phone 8 apps. However, I've reluctantly decided to ditch the Windows Phone platform altogether, rather than put Windows 8 on my laptop.

    The news over Windows 8.1 isn't encouraging. Although there are rumours that the Start menu will return, Microsoft themselves have been putting out counter-suggestions that it won't.

    It's not all doom'n'gloom. There are Windows 8 applications which will put the Start menu back and allow you to boot straight to the desktop. 'Start Menu 8' is a very good free one. My sister and her husband have added it to their Windows 8 laptop and it's made the world of difference for them.

    The metro interface on a non-touchscreen device? An utterly stupid idea.


    Actually, I don't really get the whole 'Vista was a disaster' thing. Vista's only real problem was that it was bloated and a resource hog. On today's PCs it would run absolutely fine but it was perhaps a little top heavy for the machines of 5-6 years ago. Windows 7, which has received a much better reception, is essentially Vista ... but leaner. Otherwise, Vista is perfectly fine.
     
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    Posilan

    Posilan

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  • #26
    TickledPink said:
    Unfortunately, for many the 'quirks' of 8 are more than just 'quirks'. When a 'quirk' makes an OS virtually unusable unless you use a touchscreen then it's something rather more serious.
    Click to expand...

    I think "virtually unusable" is somewhat over the top :rolleyes:

    We've been using Windows8 without issue for months now. There are actually many benefits if you scratch under the surface and whilst it will be nice to have a start button and boot to desktop when Windows "Blue" is released, it's still a very capable OS.

    If people are using XP or Vista, they should upgrade to Windows 7 or 8 very soon.

    The choice between 7 and 8 is down to the individual user and how easily they adapt to change.

    Ignore all the horror stories you hear. It's likely Windows 8 is the last "major" update for Windows as we know them, with Microsoft preferring to release regular smaller updates via purchased downloads (it's not actually been stated the update to 8.1 "blue" will be FOC yet) - so it will continue to evolve.

    Steve
     
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    fisicx

    fisicx

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  • #28
    Homer J Simpson said:
    I'm not sure the FSA have and specific requirements as to the O/S used. Maybe the banks excuse for not spending money.......
    Click to expand...
    They have strict controls over the functionality of IT systems. XP meets all those controls. Later versions of windows don't have those controls.

    So it's not the OS that is the problem, it's how the OS finctions that causes problems. For example, Windows 8 works by connecting you with all sorts of Internet functions - to make it easy for you to facebook, twitter, instagram, email and work online. It's not designed to work behind a secure firewall with someone processing your mortgage application.

    Spoke to my partner about this (who works for a majot UK bank) and the cost of upgrading would be millions of pounds. It's not the cost of the OS, it's integrating the OS with their infrastructure that is the problem. The trial they did with windows 7 failed to run about half their applications.
     
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    CSHTech

    CSHTech

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  • #30
    I think Windows 8 will always be a 'marmite' issue. For example, many of my customers like it but most don't. Personally, although I use a Windows 8 machine I prefer Win 7 and most of my machines still use it.

    As far as I can tell, the main point of contention for many people is that Windows 8 isn't an upgrade as such as previous Windows versions have been, so they cannot see any reason why they should have to learn it as it's a different beast altogether.

    They appreciate that Win 8 is a product aimed at the tablet/touchscreen market but Microsoft have decided to make everyone use it - whereas previously there was a separate version for PC/Laptop. That is where Microsoft have made their mistake in my humble opinion. Even more surprising when they had previously spent millions in ergonomic research to get Windows easy for people to use!

    There will always be people for and against Windows 8, but at least there is Windows 7 for people to use as an alternative.
     
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