HP brings Windows 7 back 'due to popular demand' as buyers shun Windows 8
theinquirer.net
theinquirer.net
I even find that I use Metro apps on my desktop fairly often. I have the live tiles for a few key apps like Mail, Calendar, Weather, Google Voice, and Twitter arranged as a dashboard of key notifications that I care about and flip over from the desktop more often than I thought I would.
It's also nice how Metro apps can raise notification toast on the desktop now in 8.1 (and desktop apps like Outlook can also tie into that same system, similar to Growl but built-in). Since I'm on the desktop 95% of the time, that definitely helps bridge the gap between Metro and desktop. I can get a lightweight notification when I get an @mention on Twitter, for example, without leaving TweetDeck running all the time.
On my laptop with touch and on my Surface, Win8.1 is far and away better than Win7 could have possibly been. The Metro side of things is great there - especially since both have HiDPI displays and Metro apps .
Surprisingly, I still haven't installed Outlook on the laptop because the 8.1 update to the Metro Mail app makes it good enough for my relatively light email use while mobile. Since all of the settings sync across machines automatically, the Mail app was already configured with the six accounts I use regularly as soon as I logged into it, so it was a no-brainer compared to installing Outlook or opening six web apps all the time.
Some people actually do something productive with laptops. Engineers are one category. Metro just laughs at them.
I don't have any trouble using my desktop or laptop to get things done. Win8.1 is essentially just a better, faster Win7 when I'm focused on using desktop applications.
It seemed like you were saying that a laptop with Windows 8 somehow precludes "some people from doing something productive" just because the Metro interface is there in the background.
I'm saying that hasn't been my experience whatsoever, using a Windows 8 laptop for development work.
I didn't say you can't avoid Metro to do something productive on the classic desktop.
Sorry did you say this? Maybe I misread your comment but I think you said:
> I'm no stranger to tasks OUTSIDE of Metroland.
and:
> I don't have any trouble using my desktop or laptop to get things done.
Nothing I see here means "I'm productive with Metro", it means "I can avoid Metro and still be productive". Not sure if that was what you intended to say but that's how I read it.
Changing the way a UI functions has a cost to the user, and users expect that if they are willing to pay that cost they gain something in return. Once a user acclimates to it, perhaps Windows 8 is equally as usable as Windows 7 was, but given its relatively poor uptake I think it would be difficult to argue that many users actually find the experience better.
Ultimately, paying the "learn a new interface" cost for what is effectively side-grade is a poor value.
In contrast, for users of touchscreen-based Windows devices, this is a cost that is likely worth paying, since the features enhance usability for their hardware. But such devices represent a minority of Windows based PCs on the market.
Well, yes, it would be difficult to argue that, starting with that what users find to be better is by definition subjective, not objective, so to argue that would be self-contradictory from the gate.
I think that's not entirely true. The Metro design language isn't really about monotasking and wasn't really about mobile, and I think the idea of adopting as a unified cross-platform experience -- though its a pretty big break from the traditional windowing interface -- had some very good reasons and makes sense even on the desktop. The overlapping windows of the traditional desktop approach are, IMO, a pretty bad UI thing that we've all gotten used to, but something like Metro could do better...
The particular way the implementation worked out in Win 8 originally -- and this has been mitigated somewhat in Win 8.1 -- is still way too mobile focussed, and the sharp break with traditional desktop apps in seperate environments was a horrible UX choice. But I think the problem there was trying as much about pushing vendors to produce Windows Store apps and support WinRT (and, supporting Microsoft's getting yet another cut of the application money, on top of what they get selling the essential dev tools for the platform), as optimizing the UI for mobile.
I suspect that something like Metro really is the interface of the future -- even on desktop-like systems -- but it may take someone other than Microsoft to first implement it right.
If Microsoft hadn't made these changes, and in the next few years became completely foreign and irrelevant to the current young generation of consumers who grew up on touch devices that work more like Win8 than Win7, would we be panning them for sticking with "what works" while their consumer base switches to Android/iOS?
(before anyone jumps down my throat, yes you can mod Windows 8 so it's more usable in a desktop environment but that's not the point)
I can see how Windows 8 might have been a problem for some people, but for the most part 8.1 is 7 with a fullscreen start menu.
And missing the non-full screen start menu. I hate going back to metro interface to launch an app, now I have to create shortcuts on the desktop. I used to simply type an app name in windows 7's launcher.
Why don't you still do that? That global search has only gotten smarter, it's definitely not been removed. You press the windows key, type 3 letters, hit enter and your app is running before your eyes even register the start screen having briefly appeared and gone. I couldn't imagine going back to desktop shortcuts -- I haven't had to move my hands off the keyboard to launch a program in 7 years.
Something like if I type "sky"
SkyDrive
Skype (metro)
..Some settings
..Some settings
..Some document
..Some document
https://portal.bitcasa.com/send/3555f1c51a7e086335e4e0d6895f...
"Sky" should have return both skypes, not just first 2 search results. Also how do you start desktop internet explorer? The search returns the metro one.
You've made some pretty bold color choices, that would be distracting. Set your background to be your desktop wallpaper. Then the start screen just looks like an overlay, rather than a context switch.
Me too... the process hasn't changed. Windows key -> first few letters of the app's name -> enter
Full screen applications don't work on a desktop where multitasking is the norm.
(By the way, ALT+F4 is the way I close metro apps too but here is another way http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/how-close-app)
Why must we try to make them the same? I would argue a set of well defined junction points like Apple did with airplay in order to share content between mobile and desktop segments is a way more elegant solution.
Also, the several seconds I've spent trying to open stupid like charms menus and things meant to be swiped with a thumb were not an enjoyable several seconds.
Swiping is awesomely natural on a touchscreen, but obviously sub-optimal otherwise. Reliance on a swipe gesture should be avoided in UI design for a mouse/touchpad and keyboard environment, in favor of buttons and menus, and mouse wheel/two-fingered scroll support.
My mother on the other hand is quite adept, and dislikes it. Well, she did, until 8.1, and I configured it to use the desktop as the main interface, and she got used to it. Now she likes it too.
Personally, I haven't used Windows in half a decade, so it's interesting to watch the reactions too it. I think they are moving in the right direction, but need to adjust the desktop story a little.
That's my personal experience. If you want to call me a shill, then say it, rather than insinuate it.
Edit: Apologies, that was antagonistic. I was a professional salesperson for 7 years - I sometimes lapse into sales talk when discussing any product. Usually it's things other than Microsoft, and I'm not joking when I say that the last version I used was Vista, but I honestly think 8 is interesting, if unpolished. My family isn't adept other than my mother (she's 41).
As a long time user of Windows, I'm frustrated, but maybe they're going after new people and they don't have the same expectations as me.
I can be at the office editing a document on my keyboard/mouse laptop, save it to skydrive, and it's already there on my 8" for review later. Quick edits on the go are a breeze, since I have the identical MS Office software running in both machines.
I can review documentation in a git repository by actually installing git for Windows and cloning the repository. Now I'm not saying I'm going to actually code on an 8" Atom device, far from it. But the fact that I can participate, using the exact same tooling in the exact same manner, as is fitting for the device, is brilliant.
The only difference is I use 90% Metro Apps on the 8", and 90% desktop apps on the laptop. It's the plumbing that's one size fits all, and once in a while you cross the boundaries of the UI and it works well enough. You're not giving anything up. You have it all.
One size fits all is great, I'm a fan.
For me, windows 8 answers a few questions.
1): What do we do when users want to use their fingers instead of a mouse to click buttons made for the (superior) accuracy of a mouse pointer?
2): What do we do when monitor manufacturers sell 4k+ displays and windows applications aren't written to scale up that way?
3): How do we sell users and developers on using desktop applications again (instead of web apps)?
I think all three questions are answered well, and users will be less hostile to the changes once enough applications move to Metro, and consumers are buying 4k tablets.
At the moment, what I am hearing most is "Why change something that worked so well? Why do I have to learn something new?". The next generation PC hardware will answer that question.
I spend all of my time in windows, and I wouldn't want go back to 7. I like the new start screen; I find my applications a lot quicker when all I need to do is hit the windows key and type the name of the app, or file, or whatever I'm looking for. Windows 8 really shines on the surface, where a high DPI screen and touch come together. I use desktop apps on the desktop and mostly ignore metro; but on the surface I prefer metro apps which are more finger friendly and easier to read.
I like the new store architecture, and the limitations made on apps written for it. I will have to worry less installing an application from a publisher I don't recognize. I read a lot about the APIs, but I haven't written anything for it yet. I am waiting for metro to be available to enough users to make it cost effective to put effort into it.
If I were working at Microsoft right now, I would be shouting at the top of my lungs "Let's put out commercials explaining why Windows 8 is better!". I don't feel Windows 8 is a technological or UI disaster; I feel it's a marketing disaster.
[1] http://www.zdnet.com/hp-bringing-back-windows-7-pcs-not-so-f...
Yes.
You could buy PCs preloaded with Windows XP for the first couple years of Vista's availability.
IMO, the resistance has more to do with bad Microsoft PR and the anti-MS bandwagon, than flaws in the OS.
http://www.shopping.hp.com/en_US/home-office/-/products/Lapt...
Look at the ad itself: http://www.hp.com/country/us/en/hho/welcome.html
People are afraid of change, simple as that.
The built in apps feel like MVPs. The interactions are unintuitive, and many things that should "just work" smack you in the face time and time again.
the whole thing feels like it's been slapped together without any thought for actual usability, and with zero polish.
edit: i should note that I have not yet tried the 8.1 update
"It's a bit faster, there are some other minor obscure improvements, and if you just ignore all of the crappy new stuff it's not a big deal!"
If boot times are a big issue for you, then I get it. For me, they aren't, so I'm inclined to pass on the update. Perhaps it would work great with a Windows Phone or Surface (I'm tempted to try those at some point, so if anybody would like to share their experiences with theirs...), but it doesn't seem like it was designed for a desktop. So why should I put it on my desktop?
It really isn't a big deal, because you're not being forced to use the Metro apps. You can populate the start menu with regular application shortcuts and you're on your way.
Also the skydrive + settings sync is really nice. Whenever I install on a new device, everything's set up on first boot.
Lots of other features that don't make headlines but are genuinely useful: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Features_new_to_Windows_8
I liked this workflow better when it was called DOS.
Knock it all you want, but it's obvious that people like working like this. OS X has Spotligh/Alfred, Linux has Gnome DO etc, it's basically on every OS.
OK, then why is it a "clear upgrade"?
The only thing I've been happy with since the move from Windows 7 has been the new Task Manager. Every other change has been met with a "why did that need to be changed?".
I'd counter that with "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
I spent a few days with Win 8 and I've never seen a more unintuitive UI experience in my entire life. The frustration of having to re-learn simple computing tasks far outweighs any aesthetic improvements IMO.
But by that logic, every new version of a software is useless because the previous one was good enough to be released, therefore wasn't broken.
EDIT: also, the multi-monitor support in Windows 8 runs circles around the crappy implementation that was in Windows 7.
0. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Coke#Reversal
1. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/23/business/media/23adcol.htm...
2. http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2010/10/new-gap-logo-...
There's one good thing about Windows 8: anyone who uses this phrase is now known to have absolutely no argument worthy of discussion.
People rejected an interface which offered them nothing new on their existing hardware and was going to force them to relearn their current daily tasks.
People will gladly accept change if there's a clear benefit. They'll often accept change even if the only benefit is aesthetic. However, there's no clear benefit to Windows 8 apparent to most end users and the aesthetic changes were not enough.
It's a failure of Microsoft in the marketplace, not a moral or intellectual failing of Microsoft's users.
Some yeah. But it's a bit too easy to say that just because most people don't like the OS you like.
It's pretty known that you have to skip a version of Windows every other version and it seems like Microsoft is not changing the pattern right now. I love windows 7 but 8 is just unusable on desktop for me, I love windows 8 for phones though.
This sort of workaround does not make things OK for the average person.