Before I start I would like to acknowledge the following:
Paul Thurrott’s Supersite for Windows / Windows 8
Without information form these sources, I would have struggled a lot more in coming to terms with Windows 8.
However I have become a Win 8 fan and am now at the point where I am considering loading it onto my main computer.
I have had a couple of issues:
- When I went to update from the Consumer Preview to the Release Preview, I found that the old computer that I was using was not compatible. This computer has an Intel Pentium 4 (Prescott) CPU that does not support XD (Execute Disable). This is a technology in modern CPUs designed to provide protection from certain types of Malware. (See Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NX_bit )
- The standard version of Win 8 will not have Windows Media Centre. I have a TV Tuner card in my main computer and regularly use Windows Media Centre linked to my TV via Xbox 360. Media Centre will be available in Win 8 but only as a paid extra for the higher priced “Professional” version; annoying but not a deal breaker.
In reference to Point 1 above, I was about to abandon Win 8 but as a last resort I decided to try to install it on an old ASUS Note Book. It is an Asus M5200AE with a 1.73 GHZ Pentium M CPU and only 512MB RAM. Even though I was presented with many warnings, Win 8 Release Preview loaded and ran OK (although slowly). I went on line and bought a RAM Upgrade to 1GB (for $70 which is more that the notebook would be worth) and Win 8 now runs well enough to be very usable. In fact I am writing this post on it.
The only problem I have with this notebook is that Win 8 does not see the optical drive. I installed it from an iso image on a DVD and right after installation it sees the DVD drive. However, when the updates are installed, it no longer sees this drive. I have looked on the ASUS site for drivers but as it is a superseded model the only drivers are for XP which will not install in Win 8. However this is not a big issue and, in any case, most modern notebooks don’t have optical drives. I wonder if during the update phase, Win 8 detects that it is a low powered device and disables things like Optical Drives on the assumption that it is a device without an optical drive.
Win 7 Start Search
Thanks to Tekzilla, I was very pleased to learn that Win 8 retains this function and it actually is better. On the Metro Start page you only have to start typing your search term and it automatically enters into the search function. For example if want to find a WordPad document called “Test” saved in My Documents, I only have to start typing “test” on the Metro Start screen and it will go to the Search interface. I then select “Files” from the options (Apps, Settings, Files etc.) and my Word pad file is there.
On the Desktop you can still use Outlook or Live Mail etc. On Metro there is a mail App that works well but at this time you can only add Email for Hotmail and Gmail (& MS Exchange)
A comparison between the iPad (left) and Metro (right) for adding Accounts shows that the iPad can add all types while Metro only has Hotmail, Gmail and MS Exchange.
So it is hoped that there will be additions to the Metro App so that POP mail, Yahoo etc. can be added. I hope they do as I want to add Email Accounts on my own domain as well as Bigpond and Yahoo.
Keyboard Shortcuts
If, like me, you are using Win 8 without a Touch Screen, then it is essential to be aware of a few handy Keyboard Shortcuts.
Windows Key (WinKey) + I Opens the Settings for a particular App
WinKey + Q – Search
WinKey + D – Desktop
WinKey + C – Charms Bar
There are many more but these will solve most problems particularly the WinKey + I that opens up the settings for an App that you have open.
Snipping Tool
The Snipping Tool does not work in Metro. As soon as the Snipping Tool is opened it changes to the Desktop. That is why I had to use my camera to get the above images under Search and Email.
MS OFFICE
I have not installed Office as I do not have a spare copy. I assume that it will work as before but in the Desktop. I wonder if Metro style Apps for Word, Excel etc. will become available. It would be good if you could buy them separately at a reasonable price.
CONCLUSION
I think that I will delay installing on my main machine for now. There are still some things that could be improved so I will continue using it on this old Notebook. Also I would like to have a touch screen when I go ahead with Win 8 as my main OS.