Dark Side Migration - Windows 7

[tecboy]

Technically, a computer is a calculator.

 

[Overread16 4]

Ok, so carry the one.. and.. um.. ahh crap. Where's my calculator?

What is it with you people and this crazy obsession you have with math anyway? Can't we just work on my self-esteem instead?

Rotfl

Dude, I'm an English teacher - what the hell do I know about math?

The term is maths as in mathematics the study of numbers (plural).

Those who are not good at maths only study math - the study of only a number; rather than the study of maths where they have to learn many numbers. Although in practical terms this means that they can count up to and add up to 10 - some can take away - none can divide.

 

[unpopular]

I'm just not sure why so much is made of this fact, though, when you can have the system boot right to the desktop and completely avoid the modern interface altogether.

I've heard lengthy debates about why mac sucks due exclusively to that it lacks a start menu, this kind of made windows users out like a bunch of weenies (that and the ridiculous two button mouse argument).

If it's the start menu that is the only thing that is lacking from the windows 8 desktop, i think i can probably manage. If i were stuck with the touch screen gui though, that could be annoying.

 

[Overread16 4]

Remember a vast number of computer users are not really users.

They memorize where icons and information are rather than upon what the icon is or what it represents. They've basically no understanding of the basic menu layout and design nor approach of a computer.

So when something moves - or the icon changes its looks they get really confused very fast. They've basically got to re-learn the whole computer user experience from the ground up (through their method of learning).


A more advanced user will adapt more readily to minor or major changes, often venting frustration, but at the same time generally able to adept without too much outside input being needed (or if it is its only minor input needed).

I've had no trouble adapting to life without the start-menu. I've found new ways or old ways to do things. Although I will say that hiding "shutdown" behind a right click was a silly move (because it was a button command that never had a right click for most users before).

As for the whole mouse issue - that's a valid concern! I mean how can you play a FPS and alt-fire your gun if you've got to hold down a key on the keyboard to do so to enable the other mouse button on your mouse (because then that's your use/grenade/jump finger missing!)


((my mouse has 2 normal buttons and 2 additional thumb buttons!)

 

[Surgikill]

Windows 8 has a nice interface but driver compatibility is horrible at best. My mice won't work, my touch screen is horrible, and it never wakes from sleep correctly.

 

[unpopular]

What is Windows upgrade model like? If I go with 7 and decide to upgrade to 9, will it cost more than if I upgraded from 8?

 

[unpopular]

As for the whole mouse issue - that's a valid concern! I mean how can you play a FPS and alt-fire your gun if you've got to hold down a key on the keyboard to do so to enable the other mouse button on your mouse (because then that's your use/grenade/jump finger missing!)

And I don't think there are any seven button mice for mac!

 

[xzyragon]

Remember a vast number of computer users are not really users.

They memorize where icons and information are rather than upon what the icon is or what it represents. They've basically no understanding of the basic menu layout and design nor approach of a computer.

So when something moves - or the icon changes its looks they get really confused very fast. They've basically got to re-learn the whole computer user experience from the ground up (through their method of learning).


A more advanced user will adapt more readily to minor or major changes, often venting frustration, but at the same time generally able to adept without too much outside input being needed (or if it is its only minor input needed).

I've had no trouble adapting to life without the start-menu. I've found new ways or old ways to do things. Although I will say that hiding "shutdown" behind a right click was a silly move (because it was a button command that never had a right click for most users before).

As for the whole mouse issue - that's a valid concern! I mean how can you play a FPS and alt-fire your gun if you've got to hold down a key on the keyboard to do so to enable the other mouse button on your mouse (because then that's your use/grenade/jump finger missing!)


((my mouse has 2 normal buttons and 2 additional thumb buttons!)

As an avid Windows, Ubuntu, and Mac user, each has their own benefits and pitfalls. The lack of a right click button on the Mac OS irks me, but it's still an amazingly smooth operating system that's well laid out for the average user. The different OS's can be boiled down to:

-Mac OS -> easy to use, user friendly, not a lot of freedom for an experienced user
-Windows -> fairly easy to use, fairly user friendly, a good amount of freedom for an experienced user
-Linux -> depending on the version, varies from moderately easy to use to very difficult to get used to, little support, but all the freedom in the world to empower or destroy your computer.

BUT, if I have to get a laptop again (that's not for work), it'll be a Mac. They're robust, well built, good looking, and I love the touchpad and size. My desktop will always be dual boot Windows / Ubuntu. Normal use / photo editing on the Windows, app / program development on ubuntu because yes, I'd rather dual boot than install the various environments on a PC... The horror...

What is Windows upgrade model like? If I go with 7 and decide to upgrade to 9, will it cost more than if I upgraded from 8?

it's the same as a Mac OS. You pay the $100 to $200 for the new OS, regardless of your previous OS. The only caveat is that if you buy a computer within the 3-6 months before they release a new OS, they'll give you the new OS for free when it comes out. Not sure if Mac does the same thing. (It's to keep people buying computers and not be worried about their OS being outdated in a couple month)

 

[unpopular]

One other super quick hardware question. Will dual processors perform as well as a single processor with the same number of cores?

i.e. will a single 2.7ghz 12-core with 30mb L2 perform similarly or better/worse than two 2.7ghz 6-core with 15mb each?

(I know that I need to use Xeon for this configuration)

 

[Surgikill]

I would assume similar however if you split up the processors you can also split up the heat. It audio takes longer to communicate. Is the twelve core a hyper thread processor?

 

[unpopular]

This was more for my informational purposes and to get an idea of what to expect. The 12 core alone is my entire budget, minus the graphics card, so it's not really an option.

But yeah, it is hyperthreaded.

ARK | Intel® Xeon® Processor E5-2697 v2 (30M Cache, 2.70 GHz)

 

[unpopular]

Well. I bought a refurbished Dell T5610 with dual e5-2630v2 installed for about 800 less than I was planning with a custom build. Has less RAM at 8gb, will upgrade later (it uses Registered DDR 1866 so it's a bit pricey).

It comes with a k4000, that I will use for the Maya viewport and I bought a GTX780Ti for GPU render in Mentalray/Iray (I think I can do that otherwise I will just use the GeForce).

Hopefully I didn't make a big mistake. Spent around $2700 with an ultra wide monitor (rather have the real estate than color accuracy).