Windows 8

Windows 8 as a Pure Desktop
Started By logifuse , Jan 14 2014 04:37 PM

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#1 Windows 8 as a Pure Desktop: post #1 logifuse
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Posted 14 January 2014 – 04:37 PM
I’ve been using Windows 8 as my main desktop for about 6 months now & when I was updating ClassicShell, it occurred to me that I’m effectively using it as Windows 7, so what’s the point?

I run a Sony Vaio compact laptop with an i5 & 8GB of RAM, 2 x 128GB SSDs in RAID 0, I use the inbuilt screen & an external 24 inch monitor via a docking station. Non-touch screens.

I run pretty much exclusively in desktop mode with a fully functional Start menu, & it seems that the only time I end up in a Metro screen is either by mistake, or when I’m looking for some configuration that used to be simple to find.

I use a standard MS USB KB & mouse.

I’ve even had to sacrifice hardware acceleration for videos because of the stupid Optimus graphics not getting W8 support from Sony.

What am I missing?

Should I be embracing gestures? I don’t really like them on my phone to be honest – what’s so hard about pressing a button on screen?

Are there some wonderful Metro apps I’m missing? I’ve looked at Skype for Windows 8 & I hate it. I’m not the biggest Skype fan as it is, but needs must…

I find that whenever you go in to Metro, things start to get pushy. I don’t want quasi-ads pushed at me on my desktop. I don’t need rolling weather updates, news updates, stock market updates. I know I can turn most of that s*** off, but why should I have to?

There must be some aspect of Windows 8 that if I went back to Windows 7, I’d be missing out on, but what?

I don’t want to just bag Windows 8, I think the concept behind it is sound (cross-device common feel), but I really haven’t been able to find something in it for me.

Justin

#2 Windows 8 as a Pure Desktop: post #2 TiggerK
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Posted 15 January 2014 – 12:48 AM
Totally agree, and the only thing I can say is that Windows 8.1 does seem a little bit snappier and faster overall when using a seriously good hardware config. (e.g i5, SSD, 8GB+ RAM, decent graphics card etc).

I heard some talk today of an article saying Windows 9 is fast forwarded to next year? That will be interesting.

Metro sux, give me a new WIndows 7 that looks better, is more secure, recoverable and clever, knows how to get the best from my nice hardware and is faster overall. PLEASE!

#3 Windows 8 as a Pure Desktop: post #3 Maxx Power
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Posted 15 January 2014 – 10:09 PM
Hehe, I came to the same conclusion, but it only took me 2 days… 🙂 Even when 8.1 came out I thought there must be something I am missing out on, but no.. Back to 7 . People say to me “it’s wonderful, just press the windows key and star typing.!”, without realising you can do the same thing in 7 . They seriously need to split the two desktops into different products, one for touch, one for desktop …
#4 Windows 8 as a Pure Desktop: post #4 logifuse
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Posted 16 January 2014 – 05:12 PM
I rearranged my office on Wednesday & now have a nice viewing spot on my lounge for watching a bit of sport on the weekends, so I had a play with Foxtel Go, but struck problems due to hardware acceleration not working properly. Decided it was time to go back to W7. I cleaned up my W8 install & converted it to a WMWare VM & am installing W7.

I’m not expecting dramatic performance improvements, indeed hybrid graphics have been troublesome all along, but at least it should be simpler to find solutions.

Justin

#5 Windows 8 as a Pure Desktop: post #5 DDH
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Posted 16 January 2014 – 09:51 PM
Yes, Win 8. I was glad when 8.1 came along as I could actually start Windows where I wanted to, at a desktop!

I personally think its a bit faster than 7, but no evidence to back this up. I upgraded because I could, never did have a reason, still don’t have one. I figured, being in the industry I’m always going to “keep up”.

At work I’m just about to have a project kicked off to update from XP and we’ll be going to Win 7. Short story, no benefit in Win 8 / 8.1 and less driver issues.

Win 8 was all about tablets and mobile devices. I still think they’ve tried to be all things to all people which will ultimately fail.

#6 Windows 8 as a Pure Desktop: post #6 logifuse
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Posted 17 January 2014 – 12:27 AM
My downgrade went well. I’ve even got Foxtel Go running smoothly.

One thing W8 does offer is proper taskbars across extended desktops. I had a play with the free & paid options to get a 2nd taskbar in W7, but seeing as I pretty much only use MultiDesk (manager for all my remote desktops) all the time on my laptop screen, I decided not to bother.

I did install Classic Shell though as I’ve grown to like the customization of the Start button & the extra options in Windows Explorer.

W8 virtualized perfectly – 1st time I’ve really done that.

General use performance seems similar, although like DDH, I think W8 might be a touch faster. Maybe just snappier.

In a way, I do feel a bit defeated, but the combo of my laptop & aspects of W8 just didn’t work for me.