First Look At Windows 8.1

Yes, the full screen Start Screen. But the Start Screen in more than for launching apps and while trying to launch an app that's where the focus is anyway. It the Start Menu could be kept in place while doing something else I think this full Screen Start screen would present a bigger issue. Yes, it's different but I think the impact to productivity or speed is really non-existent for the vast majority.

It's also one of the reasons why I prefer a separate search bar in my browser opposed to a unified search/address bar setup.
 
you can take apps and pull them off to the side while in metro...and continue using the start screen while the app is running on the side.

I'm having difficulty parsing his sentence but it doesn't seem like he knows how to do what I'm talking about since he referenced windows side-by-side and said it was present since windows 7

I'm talking about the aero snap feature (where it will lock a window to 1 half of the screen)

Yes... you can manually pull a window up to view it within the start screen/metro (if you wanted to stay within metro)... but again, that's an extra step you have to take instead of a passive way to view what you still have open (and, as far as I recall, you're limited to just 1 window). Not quite the same functionality and still ultimately a fullscreen UI
 
Perhaps you need to define "apples-to-apples" in this context, because on the attributes you listed — weight, battery life, screen size and performance — the two products you compared are obviously not equivalent. "Apples-to-apples" would ordinarily denote that those attributes are equal between the products being compared.

Comparing the mobility of devices that have the same software capabilities. Given this originally started out as a direct response to Heatless saying tablets are more mobile in the context of a Windows 8 thread. I would of thought that was obvious.
 
I'm talking about the aero snap feature (where it will lock a window to 1 half of the screen)

Yes... you can manually pull a window up to view it within the start screen/metro (if you wanted to stay within metro)... but again, that's an extra step you have to take instead of a passive way to view what you still have open (and, as far as I recall, you're limited to just 1 window). Not quite the same functionality and still ultimately a fullscreen UI

That's one of the confirmed improvements, as you can do that with multiple Metro applications, or simply resize one application to take up more of the screen.

Honestly, I don't really use the Metro applications. I prefer just running the applications on the desktop.
 
I'm talking about the aero snap feature (where it will lock a window to 1 half of the screen)

Yes... you can manually pull a window up to view it within the start screen/metro (if you wanted to stay within metro)... but again, that's an extra step you have to take instead of a passive way to view what you still have open (and, as far as I recall, you're limited to just 1 window). Not quite the same functionality and still ultimately a fullscreen UI
I'm confused about your complaint or what you're after but try this when you get home to your win8 computer (if you still have it installed):

open metro, pull an app up and to the right, stretch it so it takes up most of the screen. The metro icons will then be on the left in a scrollable format. you can then use it like a traditional start menu, close it by stretching the app across the full metro screen, then grab it back and pull it to the right again revealing the metro screen under it, and if you have more than one app running right-click on the left top side of the screen and all of the running apps will be listed down the left side of the screen.

the only thing full screen about that is you can't run apps in windows scattered around your desktop...but that's what desktop mode is for so it's irrelevant. you can even tab through the metro apps just like you can tab through the desktop apps.


most of the complaints on this board I read demonstrate that most of the people making them don't know the shortcuts or have enough experience with windows 8 to know what can be done with it. I used to be like that until heatlesssun posted some shortcuts and got me interested in even giving a shit about windows 8 enough to do some research on it and I haven't looked back since.
 
Oh, look. Two of the biggest gripes of Windows 8 getting absolutely handled:

cb7004b5c0.png


?
 
Oh, look. Two of the biggest gripes of Windows 8 getting absolutely handled:

cb7004b5c0.png


?

If that screenshot is legit and that customize classic start menu option does what it implies. I have Zero further gripes about win 8 and will happily embrace it.

Eliminate Metro entirely.
Eliminate the Charms bar
Eliminate the hot corners and the start button brings me to just a search pane with option to get into windows explorer.

That is all I want. Options.
 
Still made for touch not a desktop. Great for people that want to touch and touch and have to use your fingers. Not so great for the PC gamer that sits down uses a mouse and keyboard and has many apps open at once. The more I see Windows 8 the more I want to switch to Apple.

Uh, no.... just no. The Windows 8 desktop functions identically to Windows 7's, so please don't spread misinformation when you clearly have not even ever tried Win8.

to all the people that argued with me on Windows 8 launch on restoring the start menu and an option for boot to the desktop. I'd just like to say....


I told you so!!!!!

No one cares, and it's hardly anything against the arguments that were presented to you, for MS to introduce the option as a PR move to appease whiners such as yourself :).
 
I compared Surface pro (Win 8) to an ultrabook also Win 8. That is as close to an apples to apples comparison as you are going to get.

You're accounting for the differences in how a tablet and laptop are physically handled and used. I can pick up my 1.6 lbs Clover Trail tablet like a magazine with one hand and immediately walk with it while using it. That doesn't work well with a 4.5 lbs. conventional clamshell device.
 
If that screenshot is legit and that customize classic start menu option does what it implies. I have Zero further gripes about win 8 and will happily embrace it.

Eliminate Metro entirely.
Eliminate the Charms bar
Eliminate the hot corners and the start button brings me to just a search pane with option to get into windows explorer.

That is all I want. Options.

It's legit because i'm using it right now and have been ever since I started using Windows 8 :D .
 
If that screenshot is legit and that customize classic start menu option does what it implies. I have Zero further gripes about win 8 and will happily embrace it.

Eliminate Metro entirely.
Eliminate the Charms bar
Eliminate the hot corners and the start button brings me to just a search pane with option to get into windows explorer.

That is all I want. Options.

You have options. Go download Classic Start Menu if you're that annoyed by such a completely made-up issue.
 
If that screenshot is legit and that customize classic start menu option does what it implies. I have Zero further gripes about win 8 and will happily embrace it.

Eliminate Metro entirely.
Eliminate the Charms bar
Eliminate the hot corners and the start button brings me to just a search pane with option to get into windows explorer.

That is all I want. Options.

There are at least some options that are going to be available for hot corners. Eliminating Metro entirely just brings us back to the same old keyboard and mouse driven PC that's flat lining in sales though. I understand why some people what that option, but I don't see how it's a good one in a declining PC market.
 
the option to install 3rd party apps is no option at all...it's tyranny...tyranny I say!
 
You're accounting for the differences in how a tablet and laptop are physically handled and used. I can pick up my 1.6 lbs Clover Trail tablet like a magazine with one hand and immediately walk with it while using it. That doesn't work well with a 4.5 lbs. conventional clamshell device.

I picked one at random, there are lighter ones that compare far more closely in weight. That said, how often does the normal person need to be walking around with a machine held in one hand? Next to never. That also is what there are hybrid devices for and still doesn't dissuade the fact that they aren't more mobile.

It's legit because i'm using it right now and have been ever since I started using Windows 8 :D .

Well then can you indulge us with some screen caps showing what the options actually do? Does it eliminate the charms bar and what type of functionality does it apply to the start button?

You have options. Go download Classic Start Menu if you're that annoyed by such a completely made-up issue.

The point is I should't be required to install third party programs to restore functionality that should be there in the first place. Especially considering that if MS continues in this direction, that functionality stands a good chance of being eliminated down the road.

There are at least some options that are going to be available for hot corners. Eliminating Metro entirely just brings us back to the same old keyboard and mouse driven PC that's flat lining in sales though. I understand why some people what that option, but I don't see how it's a good one in a declining PC market.

Why do you care so much how I use my computer? The Aero UI has nothing to do with the PC market declining. I can't believe you continue to even try and make that argument. All MS had to do was include it as an option for those not using it on a tablet and the gross majority of the bad PR Win 8 got never would of existed.
 
Well how's it done without shortcuts? I get the feeling we're going to go back to the old Win 95 days where people used to post Wordperfect shortcut sheets on the side of their cubicles for reference.

Well, general deployment and training angle aside, I'll give it a try when I get home, might help me fix accessibility settings for my mother's laptop, thanks!

It's a little harder without shortcuts. Cursor at right top/bottom corners brings up a menu. Select Settings and you have arrived at Win+i. I have never trained complete noobs but I'd definitely recommend using shortcuts. They only need to remember a 2-3 at most.

Also, you're having problems findiing Windows explorer? WTF man? Win+E. Win+F is for search, and Win+R is for Run. Win+P for screen setup. Win+X brings up regular Windows menu with lots of useful shortcuts.
 
The new 8.1 update breaks (purposefully) the currently working start menu alternatives.

Unreleased beta code purposely breaks tools where Microsoft just put back a UI element these utilities replace? That's not a shock and something that's probably easily fixed by these developers.
 
the real question in my mind is what happens after 8.1 and I do a refresh?
does it go back to 8 or 8.1?

that's one of the greatest (or at least my favorite) features of windows 8.
 
The point is I should't be required to install third party programs to restore functionality that should be there in the first place. Especially considering that if MS continues in this direction, that functionality stands a good chance of being eliminated down the road.



Why do you care so much how I use my computer? The Aero UI has nothing to do with the PC market declining. I can't believe you continue to even try and make that argument. All MS had to do was include it as an option for those not using it on a tablet and the gross majority of the bad PR Win 8 got never would of existed.

I had to install Visual Studio, what horror! It should have been bundled, clearly! This is an outrage. The start menu was replaced by a superior start screen. If you want to go back to the older, deprecated version, you can customize YOUR computer how you want. Options! YAY! :p

People always find something to whine about for no good reason, and this is no different. You'd be complaining instead about the reduced bootup time not giving you enough time to grab a cup of coffee otherwise.
 
That said, how often does the normal person need to be walking around with a machine held in one hand? Next to never.

If this were the case then smart phones and tablets wouldn't be nearly as popular.

That also is what there are hybrid devices for and still doesn't dissuade the fact that they aren't more mobile.

When I detach my hybrid from the keyboard dock, it's half the weight and thickness docked, so yeah, it much more mobile.

Well then can you indulge us with some screen caps showing what the options actually do? Does it eliminate the charms bar and what type of functionality does it apply to the start button?

I have no idea, Microsoft has simply said that there were some options here with the hot corners but hasn't provided any details and I've not seen any leaks about it either.

Why do you care so much how I use my computer?

I don't. If people like tablets and appreciate the things they do better than laptops then that shouldn't matter to you either.

The Aero UI has nothing to do with the PC market declining. I can't believe you continue to even try and make that argument. All MS had to do was include it as an option for those not using it on a tablet and the gross majority of the bad PR Win 8 got never would of existed.

Aero is still there, just not transparency for the most part and Flip 3D. Personally I don't care about those one way or the other, they are mostly aesthetic options that do nothing. Should there be an option. Sure, but then people would complain the desktop clashing with Metro. And I'm not saying that the old UI is hurting PC sales directly. It's just the UI is old and the conventional PC market is saturated. There just needs to be a lot more than incremental improvement to a 20 old UI and cheap plastic junk in the PC market is all that I'm saying. The hybrid approach is as good as anything else in my opinion that people have mentioned. And again, not against the option of turning off Metro, but it does little to advance a PC market that's saturated.
 
If you're on the desktop or laptop, then you'll always avoid the Start Screen. Nobody who has a tablet had an issue with the Metro UI. If you wanted to get people to like Windows 8.1, then the first thing you'd want to address are the key issues with 8.

The Start Screen is a very good notification system, so there are plenty of reasons to use it on larger screen devices. Microsoft is addressing issues in 8 with 8.1 but no, it's not providing a Metro off switch. Is that a key issue in Windows 8/8.1? Of course. As I've said many times, what does having an off switch for the new stuff provide other than appease some folks for the short term? There's no, nada, zip growth in the PC market and that started long before Windows 8. If adding a Metro off switch would grow the PC market then yes, it would obviously make sense to put in a Metro off switch and that may still be necessary if PC sales don't stabilize and improve in the next year. I'm sure Microsoft is readying 8.2 and/or 9 at this point. In a three year cycle the 9 beta would be due fall 2014 or early 2015. All of this is quickly evolving.
 
There are at least some options that are going to be available for hot corners. Eliminating Metro entirely just brings us back to the same old keyboard and mouse driven PC that's flat lining in sales though. I understand why some people what that option, but I don't see how it's a good one in a declining PC market.

declining hardware... yes. Just because PC sales have sort of stagnated doesn't mean that people don't want new operating systems with new features and improved performance. I also don't see how cramming a touch oriented UI on a non-touch device will somehow turn that around.
 
declining hardware... yes. Just because PC sales have sort of stagnated doesn't mean that people don't want new operating systems with new features and improved performance. I also don't see how cramming a touch oriented UI on a non-touch device will somehow turn that around.

The upgrade market isn't nearly as important as the new device market, especially not to PC OEMs. And you're correct, putting a touch capable UI on mostly non-touch capable devices won't do anything. The point is to put 8 on touch capable devices and slowly but surely that's what is happening.
 
I had to install Visual Studio, what horror! It should have been bundled, clearly! This is an outrage. The start menu was replaced by a superior start screen. If you want to go back to the older, deprecated version, you can customize YOUR computer how you want. Options! YAY! :p

People always find something to whine about for no good reason, and this is no different. You'd be complaining instead about the reduced bootup time not giving you enough time to grab a cup of coffee otherwise.

Visual Studio is hardly the same thing and that isn't even comparable. I use a desktop and a conventional laptop. Sorry but the Start screen is not superior in any manner in those environments. Oh yay the reduced bootup time was finally brought up. Yea, that saved me a Whopping 7 seconds over my win 7 bootup when that took less than 20 seconds anyhow. Big Freaking Deal.

If this were the case then smart phones and tablets wouldn't be nearly as popular.



When I detach my hybrid from the keyboard dock, it's half the weight and thickness docked, so yeah, it much more mobile.



I have no idea, Microsoft has simply said that there were some options here with the hot corners but hasn't provided any details and I've not seen any leaks about it either.



I don't. If people like tablets and appreciate the things they do better than laptops then that shouldn't matter to you either.



Aero is still there, just not transparency for the most part and Flip 3D. Personally I don't care about those one way or the other, they are mostly aesthetic options that do nothing. Should there be an option. Sure, but then people would complain the desktop clashing with Metro. And I'm not saying that the old UI is hurting PC sales directly. It's just the UI is old and the conventional PC market is saturated. There just needs to be a lot more than incremental improvement to a 20 old UI and cheap plastic junk in the PC market is all that I'm saying. The hybrid approach is as good as anything else in my opinion that people have mentioned. And again, not against the option of turning off Metro, but it does little to advance a PC market that's saturated.

1) Not really the point of why smartphones are popular and the percentage of time people actually spend working on a tablet while carrying it isn't high,

2) Half the weight in your current device. Add the keyboard back and it is basically the same as any ultrabook. That said, there are plenty of UB's that are closer in weight then the one I picked and if something sub 3lbs is really that challenging perhaps a few hours in the gym are in order. Once again, tablets are nice, but they are not any more mobile than a laptop. They simply fill a slightly different role.

3) That was aimed at SuprFire who claimed to have 8.1 installed.

4) People liking tablets doesn't matter to me, I like them as well. I dislike having a Tablet UI forced on my desktop that offers me no benefit and gives me no option to disable it.

5) The transparency is what made Aero nice. There is literally nothing aesthetically pleasing about any part of Win 8's UI. While the Aero interface may not of been helping PC sales, it isn't hurting it. The same cannot be said for Metro though. It is Clearly hurting PC sales and that makes it a monumentally terrible design.
 
There are at least some options that are going to be available for hot corners. Eliminating Metro entirely just brings us back to the same old keyboard and mouse driven PC that's flat lining in sales though. I understand why some people what that option, but I don't see how it's a good one in a declining PC market.
Flat lining sales is probably due to the Metro UI. Not everyone likes tablets, or want's a tablet like interface.
 
Slowly but surely put it on touch capable devices, as well as quickly and abruptly force it onto non-touch capable devices! ;)

Nothing about Windows 8 was ready last year. Not the OS and not the hardware. That's why I've been saying since last summer that Windows 8 would get of to a slow start. The pieces are starting to come into place. 8.1 won't solve all of 8's problems but it puts a good dent in them. Haswell is rolling out. But the big piece for low cost, good performance 8 tablets, Bay Trail is still months away. When Bay Trail devices start launching, then we will begin to see just how big a success or failure that 8 is.

People seem to forget that some Windows releases get off to slow starts and ultimately prove very successful. People remember the fast start to 7 but forget the slow start to XP that did take a number of years to rectify. I'm not calling 8 the next XP by any stretch but XP did take time to get rolling. And now it's almost impossible to stop unfortunately.
 
1) Not really the point of why smartphones are popular and the percentage of time people actually spend working on a tablet while carrying it isn't high,

2) Half the weight in your current device. Add the keyboard back and it is basically the same as any ultrabook. That said, there are plenty of UB's that are closer in weight then the one I picked and if something sub 3lbs is really that challenging perhaps a few hours in the gym are in order. Once again, tablets are nice, but they are not any more mobile than a laptop. They simply fill a slightly different role.

The point is that when you use a tablet you're holding it which is rarely the case of laptop. I keep a tablet on my desktop all of the time and I pick it up like a light book or magazine all of the time. Going to the gym doesn't change the fact that conventional laptops are not built to work like that.

3) That was aimed at SuprFire who claimed to have 8.1 installed.

I do too, there have been a number of leaks though none recently.

4) People liking tablets doesn't matter to me, I like them as well. I dislike having a Tablet UI forced on my desktop that offers me no benefit and gives me no option to disable it.

Fair enough, I've never disagreed with people that state this. Again, my point is that this old UI is old, certainly we can move to something else just to shake things up after 20 years, try something new. And sometimes you do have to force the issue. How many people would stay on XP forever if Microsoft continued to support it? People love to criticize Microsoft for lack of innovation but they can't seem to touch ANYTHING without a zillion people going ballistic over the tinniest of issues.

5) The transparency is what made Aero nice. There is literally nothing aesthetically pleasing about any part of Win 8's UI. While the Aero interface may not of been helping PC sales, it isn't hurting it. The same cannot be said for Metro though. It is Clearly hurting PC sales and that makes it a monumentally terrible design.

What makes Aero nice is the windowing management. But I can see where maybe the design Nazis went to far in disabling transparency other than the fact that people would still complain about it clashing with Metro.
 
Tablet sales are crushing both Mac and PC sales.

No they aren't, get your facts straight. Tablet "Growth" is crushing PC growth. However PC's still sell more actual Volume. Tablets are "projected" to surpass PC volume, but have not done so yet.
 
Tablet sales are crushing both Mac and PC sales.

For the last two quarters averaged Mac sales haven't done any better than PC sales. Macs took a huge hit at the end of 2012, PCs weren't as bad. Last quarter PCs took the big hit and Macs not nearly as bad, but still down. The desktop and laptop market are simply mature and people just don't need to buy new ones as much, period.
 
No they aren't, get your facts straight. Tablet "Growth" is crushing PC growth. However PC's still sell more actual Volume. Tablets are "projected" to surpass PC volume, but have not done so yet.

You're right...that's what I meant.

Surely you can forgive me, friend, as you've spent the entire day passing off your opinion as fact. :D
 
Once again, tablets are nice, but they are not any more mobile than a laptop. They simply fill a slightly different role.

When I travel with my laptop I have to take my laptop bag to carry the power adapter and to provide some protection so I don't knock the hell out of it. That adds more weight and considerable more bulk. I carry my iPad in my hand like a paperback book. It has a protective cover that adds a small bit of weight but does not appreciably increase the bulk of the tablet. To me that's more mobile.

Another thing...if I'm suddenly hit with the sudden urge to knock off a big deuce, I ain't got time to be jacking around with a laptop. I can very quickly and easily snag my iPad with one hand while dashing to the bathroom. It provides me access to everything I need (email, Kindle app, FB, porn, etc.) while I'm taking care of business. And if I had Taco Bell the night before I'm in there for like 40 minutes, that laptop gets heavy. Tablet...more mobile.
 
When I travel with my laptop I have to take my laptop bag to carry the power adapter and to provide some protection so I don't knock the hell out of it. That adds more weight and considerable more bulk. I carry my iPad in my hand like a paperback book. It has a protective cover that adds a small bit of weight but does not appreciably increase the bulk of the tablet. To me that's more mobile.

Another thing...if I'm suddenly hit with the sudden urge to knock off a big deuce, I ain't got time to be jacking around with a laptop. I can very quickly and easily snag my iPad with one hand while dashing to the bathroom. It provides me access to everything I need (email, Kindle app, FB, porn, etc.) while I'm taking care of business. And if I had Taco Bell the night before I'm in there for like 40 minutes, that laptop gets heavy. Tablet...more mobile.

Wasn't arguing about ipad like tablets. Those are clearly smaller than Surface Pro.

As for the rest...Gross man..just gross.
 
I think dekoth has trouble articulating but I will partially agree with him on mobility. The better explanation is anything that is smaller is more mobile. But so what? We achieve nothing by knowing that. There are 3 very distinct classes of mobility. 1 is desktops, IE not really mobile, 2 is laptops and tablets, basically you can certainly carry them but realistically you are never going to be free and mobile with them and you will not have them on you all the time unless you have a bag, you need something like a bag to lug them around in. The third is anything that can fit in your pocket, IE phones and mp3 players. To me a tablet is fits squarely in class 2 there is no way I can carry it around without a bag. If you are a girl you might have a purse and break this rule but for most guys you need a bag or something. Sure you can pick any of them up and take it to a meeting and go right back to your desk but realistically there is no way you are going to have it on you all the time like your phone.

Tablets don't do enough more than phones to make them worth paying a whole bunch extra for, well that was up until windows 8. Now we have hybrid devices that allow them to be the same as laptops in most ways and suddenly replacing your laptop with a tablet hybrid is a real option.

As for surface pro vs iPad, its like 1 inch and a couple millimeters different they are in the exact same size class.
 
Listen guys, can't we all just get along and agree that no matter what, heatless will argue you into submission?
 
For Businesses Windows 8 is a gigantic disaster it even makes it worse on 8.1.. Fucking Skydrive.. MS shove your skydrive up your sky.

Fuck this app bullshit. Not a single user that I support uses apps on the handful of shity windows 8 machines I got fucked with.

Microsoft your store and your crap is just as horrid as OEM bloatware.

Get-AppxPackage –AllUsers | Remove-AppxPackage

Get-AppxProvisionedPackage –online | Remove-AppxProvisionedPackage –online

GPO Disable Windows Store = Enable.
 
That uncle fester looking motherfucker... They STILL aren't doing it right.
 
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