Windows 7 vs Windows 8.1

[astroNikon]

I have a touchscreen laptop with 8.1 on it.
my work computer with 7 on it
my old laptop with Vista
my Mac with OSX, and older motorola based Macs
a few tablets - Apple & Samsung
I've been using windows since 2.1, and apple products since the ][+

I only use 8.1 as my primary as that is what came on the laptop, and it was a touchscreen so I figured I would keep it.
It's not bad, though could be alot better. Searching for an app that you use daily is silly - so one has to figure out how to add the desktop icon. Easy for an IT person but if you support hundreds of people .. it's pure pain. and the full screen ms "apps" are painfully lacking functionality.

The business world is driven by the Mouse and keyboard. Don't expect everyone to dump their 30" screens and replace them with 30 in touchscreens that are slighlty out of reach for them to touch. People prefer speed over something like the touchscreen and search.
For tablets I love the touch interface because you are holding it. For a desktop, even my laptop, I just don't use the touch interface unless they stripped away the feature that I normally use and have to use the touch interface to get to it quicker.

8.1 on a desktop, to me, is as silly as the Ribbon menus in office.

 

[snerd]

......... too bad you're forced back into Metro mode anytime you open applications that run it...like PDFs or word docs.........

You don't "have to be". I've installed PDF Exchange Viewer and Open Office that use the desktop. You can replace probably all of the Metro apps with native desktop apps, and never, ever have to see the Start Screen or Metro.

 

[Msteelio91]

Running third party software hacks to have your Windows OS sort of function okay...

It's not a "software hack". It's a program. Don't make it sound like something else because you don't like the idea of it. It functions 100% fine.

How many Mac users are there that install "third party software hacks" to make better use of their computers? Almost all who are competent.

too bad you're forced back into Metro mode anytime you open applications that run it...like PDFs or word docs.

Not true. Not unless you're installing the apps instead of desktop applications - which is your own choice.

this would be the equivalent of going out to buy a new 37" iMac and being forced to purchase one with whatever the mobile OS for the iphone is instead of OSX and then no one explaining how to do the simplest of functions that you've been using since your first Apple IIe--like closing a window/application.

I had to google how to perform many tasks on my new win8 laptop.

You're not forced to purchase anything... lol. There's also a 3 minute tutorial built into windows 8 the first time you log on. It's really quite easy, but again if you don't like it just install Start Menu 8 and there's no further reason to complain.

...since I got the laptop, it just sits there collecting dust since the OS is so bad, and I have since fixed my old ****ty laptop it was to replace.

You can send it to me then and I'll make good use of it :lmao::lmao::lmao::lmao:

Show me ANY software that can replace the 1980's-vintage Windows 3.x retro-looking dialog box appearance of Windows 8 with the 3-D dialog box appearance of anything since Windows 95. It doesn't exist because Microsoft, in their infinite stupidity, disabled all of it so they could use their ignorant Metro interface to make a desktop computer look like an overgrown cell phone.

Did you even bother clicking the link I stuck in there? Here it is again... http://www.iobit.com/iobitstartmenu8.php

It is exactly the same as the Windows 7 Start Menu. You can even customize it to make it look like an older one if you wish.

 

[robbins.photo]

No we mac users will move pass you. We aren't having to ask questions like this about our OPERATING SYSTEM. :lmao:

That's cause you don't have any option you just do what your told bahaha

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!

OSX is soooooooo (o.m.g. sooooo) much better then Windows.

1) OSX is a Unix based operating system.. Its built on the MACH kernel (freebsd, netbsd.. etc).
2) OSX is faster.. My desktop OSX system boots from the BIOS screen to the finder in under 4 seconds. Not like windows FAKE fast boot where things are still loading in the background and you cant do anything... 4 seconds to full functionality.
3) OSX does more with less.. OSX handles memory WAY better then windows. It also requires less HD space.
4) OSX has better built in tools.. TimeMachine. 'Nuf said.
5) OSX is cheaper.. Windows 8 = $100. OSX 10.8 = $20.. OSX 10.9 (Mavericks) = Free Upgrade. (how much would it cost to go from Win7 to 8? $100)
6) OSX is more powerfull.. I can run Windows Programs, Linux and OSX all from one system.
7) OSX is user friendly.. My mom can use OSX.

Don't be bad mouthing an operating system you've never spent some time with .. As somebody who makes a living working with Windows OS's (Both Desktop and Server) i would take OSX any day over Windows.

Ok, OSX is not a Unix based operating system. It is actually based on a clone of BSD that replaces the X windows system with Mac's own proprietary video handling routines. BSD is not Unix - it is Unix like, but it is not Unix. There is a difference.

On the whole OSX is more stable and generally encounters less problems that Windows, however it does so by paying a pretty heavy price in hardware compatibility. OSX doesn't have to contend with being able to run on 16 billion different machines, it only has to have drivers for hardware that it's specifically designed to work with and as such yes, you get a lot more stability and much fewer problems. However it also means when it comes to hardware you get fewer options and fewer choices, so yes there is a trade off there.

Believe it or not I can run OSX, Linux and most anything else I want under Windows too - though for the most part I don't bother because frankly the overhead and hassle of a virtual machine and the fact that for the most part I can find most of the software I want that has a Windows version.

I actually run both Mac and Windows - and I like both. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Frankly neither is a clearly superior choice for everyone, it just depends on the needs of the user and the application.

 

[SCraig]

Did you even bother clicking the link I stuck in there? Here it is again... IObit Start Menu 8 for Windows 8 Free download, Bring Windows 8 Start Menu back

It is exactly the same as the Windows 7 Start Menu. You can even customize it to make it look like an older one if you wish.

No, I didn't because I'm not talking about the start menu, I'm talking about common controls and common dialog boxes. Look, for example, at the "X" close button on Windows 8 or 8.1. It is dead flat. Microsoft went to 3D common controls with Windows 95, nearly 20 years ago, then dumped it in favor of that silly Metro interface.

 

[Msteelio91]

I actually run both Mac and Windows - and I like both. Both have advantages and disadvantages. Frankly neither is a clearly superior choice for everyone, it just depends on the needs of the user and the application.

+100000

 

[Msteelio91]

No, I didn't because I'm not talking about the start menu, I'm talking about common controls and common dialog boxes. Look, for example, at the "X" close button on Windows 8 or 8.1. It is dead flat. Microsoft went to 3D common controls with Windows 95, nearly 20 years ago, then dumped it in favor of that silly Metro interface.

If it's something that trivial that's bothering you than I am truly sorry that you're so picky. The entire modern world is heading to a more simplistic style, so you're probably going to end up hating every interface out there.

And yet again, I would like to point you in the direction of, you guessed it, SOFTWARE that allows customization of the whole theme.

Skin the Windows desktop interface with WindowBlinds

You can download any theme you could possibly imagine. Or, for the extremely picky such as yourself, you could even make your own! Lol

 

[SCraig]

If it's something that trivial that's bothering you than I am truly sorry that you're so picky. The entire modern world is heading to a more simplistic style, so you're probably going to end up hating every interface out there.

And yet again, I would like to point you in the direction of, you guessed it, SOFTWARE that allows customization of the whole theme.

Skin the Windows desktop interface with WindowBlinds

You can download any theme you could possibly imagine. Or, for the extremely picky such as yourself, you could even make your own! Lol

The first word in "Look and Feel" is "Look". It wouldn't have bothered me either had Microsoft never added it in the first place. But when they add something that people get accustomed to for 20 years and then all of a sudden it's changed things don't look right. Buttons I'm accustomed to barely glancing at have a different appearance all of a sudden. I don't want dorky themes, I don't want enormous buttons 3" square on my screen, I don't want sounds, I don't want animations, I don't want widgets.

And the modern world is most assuredly NOT going to a more simplistic style, it gets more complex every single day. Internet feeds on the desktop are not something I'd call simplistic. Weather widgets updating constantly, stock graphs updating constantly, the latest RSS from Twitter or whatever social media site you prefer, ad nauseum. This are not the elements of a "Simplistic Style".

 

[astroNikon]

Windows 8 was Microsofts Knee-jerk reaction to Apple's Tablet interface after they ignored Apple's iPad virtually creating the tablet market (yes, they weren't the first . HP had tablet like laptops going back to at least 2006ish).
Then they realized that tablets were not a fad and then thought if they tied in their phone interface, tablet interface and desktop all into ONE, they'd have the best cross platform look and feel and capture users and marketshare in all 3 market segments. Yup, it does but to a complete detriment of desktop users.

 

[table1349]

This is actually getting off of the OP's topic but: http://images.apple.com/media/us/osx/2012/docs/OSX_for_UNIX_Users_TB_July2011.pdf

FYI. If they OP hadn't called the Mac Dog into the fight the last two pages would have been unnecessary.

 

[Braineack]

Did you even bother clicking the link I stuck in there? Here it is again... IObit Start Menu 8 for Windows 8 Free download, Bring Windows 8 Start Menu back

It is exactly the same as the Windows 7 Start Menu. You can even customize it to make it look like an older one if you wish.

that program is much better than the one I was using. To be honest, I got my laptop back in Nov and have hardly touched it because I was so turned off by win8. I just didn't want to have to bother really. its not worth the effort.

 

[Msteelio91]

The first word in "Look and Feel" is "Look". It wouldn't have bothered me either had Microsoft never added it in the first place. But when they add something that people get accustomed to for 20 years and then all of a sudden it's changed things don't look right. Buttons I'm accustomed to barely glancing at have a different appearance all of a sudden. I don't want dorky themes, I don't want enormous buttons 3" square on my screen, I don't want sounds, I don't want animations, I don't want widgets.

And the modern world is most assuredly NOT going to a more simplistic style, it gets more complex every single day. Internet feeds on the desktop are not something I'd call simplistic. Weather widgets updating constantly, stock graphs updating constantly, the latest RSS from Twitter or whatever social media site you prefer, ad nauseum. This are not the elements of a "Simplistic Style".[/QUOTE]

"Simplistic style"... AKA Minimalism. Not just "simple". That is exactly the route that they were going with Windows 8.

that program is much better than the one I was using. To be honest, I got my laptop back in Nov and have hardly touched it because I was so turned off by win8. I just didn't want to have to bother really. its not worth the effort.

If you really believe that, I will seriously take it off your hands! My girlfriend could use a new laptop

I just hate hearing about people that give up so quick. Don't waste your money!!

 

[Braineack]

that program is much better than the one I was using. To be honest, I got my laptop back in Nov and have hardly touched it because I was so turned off by win8. I just didn't want to have to bother really. its not worth the effort.

If you really believe that, I will seriously take it off your hands! My girlfriend could use a new laptop

I just hate hearing about people that give up so quick. Don't waste your money!!

that fact that I got that point is very telling.

 

[Msteelio91]

that program is much better than the one I was using. To be honest, I got my laptop back in Nov and have hardly touched it because I was so turned off by win8. I just didn't want to have to bother really. its not worth the effort.

If you really believe that, I will seriously take it off your hands! My girlfriend could use a new laptop

I just hate hearing about people that give up so quick. Don't waste your money!!

that fact that I got that point is very telling.

I just don't know you well enough to assume competence

 

[robbins.photo]

This is actually getting off of the OP's topic but: http://images.apple.com/media/us/osx/2012/docs/OSX_for_UNIX_Users_TB_July2011.pdf

FYI. If they OP hadn't called the Mac Dog into the fight the last two pages would have been unnecessary.

There was a topic?

Huh.. who knew?

Lol