I'm probably not the norm here, but after installing Windows 8, getting the apps I care about pinned on the desktop taskbar I really, really like Windows 8.
It mostly feels like a cleaned up version of Windows 7, and it is much, much snappier. Whatever you do happens now. Even when you wake it up from cold hibernation it boots in less than 10 seconds. When it's only suspended it's ready just like that. Instantly.
It's as close to instant as my laptop has ever been. All the animations are silk smooth. Everything is fluid. This thing has been optimized to hell.
There can be no doubt that Windows 8 contains a multitude of technological improvements. Unfortunately for Microsoft, they seem to insist on literally taking the Windows out of Windows and forcing Metro on everyone. Even those who don't want it.
Every now and then (like when connecting to a new network) you have (Metro) infobars sliding in from the side and you can just tell that they come from a different world somehow. They don't belong in your desktop. And that makes the entire experience feel a bit less coherent.
But all in all, I may be the exception, but I love Windows 8 so far. But to Microsoft's dismay, I love it not because of Metro, but despite it.
They've done this before though. Remember the Ribbon? I used to hate it and now I can't live without it. We'll see if Metro fares as good, although deep down inside, I doubt it.
I am with you. I am wondering when exactly these desktop power users will even see Metro. Nearly all the apps I use day-to-day are pinned to my task-bar.
I haven't run the Consumer Preview yet, but in the Developer Preview, I kept getting kicked out of Desktop and into Metro when requesting a lot tasks that were initiated from the Desktop. The fullscreen transition was very jarring when I expected to stay in Desktop.
It mostly feels like a cleaned up version of Windows 7, and it is much, much snappier. Whatever you do happens now. Even when you wake it up from cold hibernation it boots in less than 10 seconds. When it's only suspended it's ready just like that. Instantly.
It's as close to instant as my laptop has ever been. All the animations are silk smooth. Everything is fluid. This thing has been optimized to hell.
There can be no doubt that Windows 8 contains a multitude of technological improvements. Unfortunately for Microsoft, they seem to insist on literally taking the Windows out of Windows and forcing Metro on everyone. Even those who don't want it.
Every now and then (like when connecting to a new network) you have (Metro) infobars sliding in from the side and you can just tell that they come from a different world somehow. They don't belong in your desktop. And that makes the entire experience feel a bit less coherent.
But all in all, I may be the exception, but I love Windows 8 so far. But to Microsoft's dismay, I love it not because of Metro, but despite it.
They've done this before though. Remember the Ribbon? I used to hate it and now I can't live without it. We'll see if Metro fares as good, although deep down inside, I doubt it.