My thoughts are below, based on my usage of Windows 8.
I've been using Windows 8 on my desktop since it was released on TechNet, and I like it. The improvements on the desktop side (where I spend 90+% of my time) make it a worthwhile upgrade to me. Native support for multiple task bars (one for each monitor), the improvements to the file-copy infrastructure, the enhancements to Windows Explorer all make it a compelling upgrade for me.
I'll end up buying a legit $40 upgrade for my home PC so that it's properly licensed as from what I understand the upgrade covers any PC with "any" version of windows that can run Windows 8 - that covers a lot of machines from the last 6-8 years.
The dichotomy between Metro and the desktop is the most striking thing, I've found things that I'm used to doing from Windows 7 carry over, like start screen search (just start typing at the start screen, and it searches the start screen like Win 7 did the start menu), and hotkeys, like Win+R for the Run dialog. Some of what the start screen does is neat, like live-updating tiles, and I do like the idea of a consistent method for getting at settings of an application through the Charms bar (Winkey+C).
I haven't gone out of my way to find any Metro apps yet so I do spend the majority of my time at the desktop, but I'll be curious to see how (and if!) applications like iTunes, Thunderbird, and Firefox are upgraded to Metro. I'm not convinced that I'll like where they go, but when I think of an average user they don't use PCs like we do so it may be a better fit.
In general, Windows 8 is a good upgrade on the desktop level if you can get past the start screen Metro interface. I think it'll be really interesting to see where the market goes with Metro and how well it takes off. I do believe that Windows 8 won't be heavily adopted by businesses - most of the companies I'm working with either have just upgraded to Windows 7, or are upgrading to Windows 7 now. I'm really curious to see a Surface tablet, as that's where I believe the interface will shine. Too bad there won't be a "pop-up" store in Calgary (where I live) - I'd like to play with one in person and form an opinion, and I'm really interested to see how the Surface Pro version works out when it's released next year - it's Intel based so it might actually be a good fit for companies as it can run their LOB apps.
Jamie On 10/19/2012 12:43 PM, Tim Lider wrote:
Hey all, I'm deciding to either get the Windows 8 Pro for $39.99 or get the full version for $109.99 on New egg. Or not upgrade at all... :) Any thoughts from you guys? Tim Lider Sr. Data Recovery Specialist Advanced Data Solutions, LLC http://www.adv-data.com
-- Jamie Furtner [email protected] "I aim to misbehave" - Malcom Reynolds (Serenity movie) "It's not safe... "For them." - River Tam (Serenity movie)
