Manage updates with the Download AppMicrosoft Windows 8
Manufacturer: Microsoft Part number: 3UR-00001
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- Microsoft makes an aggressive, forward-thinking, and bold statement for the future of PCs with Windows 8, and vast security and speed improvements more than justify the $40 upgrade price.
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CNET editors' review
Microsoft Windows 8 price range: $79.98 - $202.14
- Reviewed by: Seth Rosenblatt
- Reviewed on: 08/15/2012
- Updated on:10/24/2012
- Released on: 10/26/2012
The good: Windows 8 embraces the future wholeheartedly. Log-in and boot times are fast, the apps look gorgeous, and the Sync feature brings seamless transition between devices.
The bad: The learning curve is steep and in-app navigation isn't obvious. There are just too many known unknowns here.
The bottom line: Microsoft makes an aggressive, forward-thinking, and bold statement for the future of PCs with Windows 8, and vast security and speed improvements more than justify the $40 upgrade price.
User reviews
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You will hate 8 wait for 9
by goreala on October 27, 2012
Pros: Its pretty and colorful. Its also finally got touch working the way it should have on Vista. 8 looks great. Its "faster" lol because its new.
Cons: Flipping from metro to desktop is to chaotic. Its like living in America you are under a dual citizen ship. You have to obey the laws of Metro and the laws of Windows like state and federal laws. It destroys legacy apps and forces you into metro.
Summary: Its 7 under a touch UI. Dont get me wrong for a tablet or touch screen desktop it works well. As in the review look at the guy hes "touching" ...
Summary: Its 7 under a touch UI. Dont get me wrong for a tablet or touch screen desktop it works well. As in the review look at the guy hes "touching" the monitor. Problem is I dont have a touch monitor, and for a desktop constantly touching a screen 2-3 feet away is more work then most people would care to do constantly. Its not ergonomically correct for the desktop user. The mouse and keyboard is the best UI for interactions with the computer interface.
With a mouse and keyboard configuration windows8 is a let down. I would willfully give Microsoft a 5 star review if they would just allow us to turn Metro off.
Me being a IT professional with all types of degrees and certs could care less about the new touch interface. I know this is just a play by Microsoft to stay relevant and I cant fault them for trying but forcing your new UI on the entire tech community will do nothing but drive users further into the arms of Mac, Android and their bigger brothers Unix and Linux.
I know this is their last gasp for breath, but this will be just like Vista. Most consumers will not know what RT is and why if it looks so much like 8 it cant do what 8 does. This is just a fail on so many fronts.
Why would they get rid of the start menu? The start menu is the fastest way to get to applications. Even vs a Touch screen pc the Start menu is just more robust.
Merging desktop and mobile is a great idea, but not for most people. Just like living at work might fit some people, but not all of us.
I would accept Windows8/RT/Pro if I could cut Metro UI off and default to the classic UI. I would forget Metro exists until I got a touch screen.
Microsoft never even considered that for most people with desktop computers there are not even any USB touch screen monitors on the market. That is at-least 80 percent of the desktop population that is alienated and forced to use a Touch interface with a mouse. This makes the UI feel very clunky.
Swipe up to get to the unlock screen is not easily translated into a mouse gesture. Stupid! Yes trolls I know there are other ways to do it, but after using smartphones for so long the swipe gesture is the common reflex for opening this type of start screen.
In conclusion stay away from 8 unless you just feel like forcing yourself to learn something new. Buttons dont even stay put on this thing 8 is a guessing game. You can easily get lost in an app and say dang how do I get out of this? Buttons will be hidden and you will never know they exist. Just look up some of the videos of people using 8 for the first time and trying to simply send an Email.
Metro is great for a touch computer I give it a 10, but for people who plan to upgrade from 7 to 8 on a current desktop that does not have touch do yourself a favor and don't. There are other reasons I hate 8, but they also revolve around primary desktop applications like MS trying to corner the market on all software going on and off the PC like Apple and IOS.
In time this new nature of trying to close and own the entire software end is another fail on MSs part. It will downgrade your pc and not upgrade it. In light of this I have a 7 install disc in the mail. There is no reason to get the 8 downgrade if you have a perfectly good 7 computer. MS is also killing media center :( not a biggie, but it still sux.23 out of 28 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Upgrade only if you need to, otherwise wait for Win9
by decadre on October 15, 2012
Pros: Really awesome system tools and background OS features. Quick boot, unbelievably improved task manager, most productivity apps run noticeably quicker.
Cons: Metro.
Win8 is supposed to be intuitive, but it isn't.
Users will learn it and adapt.
What else is there to say when some of the best advice given to people is to down Start8, or Classic Shell which returns UI elements removed from Win7?Summary: Unless you've tried to RTM and like it, I'd suggest that most people stay with Win7 until they have to upgrade. If you haven't tried Win8 yet, ...
Summary: Unless you've tried to RTM and like it, I'd suggest that most people stay with Win7 until they have to upgrade. If you haven't tried Win8 yet, head on out to a electronics store and give a display model a trial run before purchasing a new PC Win8.
Additionally, I may be wrong on this but I think you will still be able to get a new PC with Win7 until sometime in the summer of 2013. So you have sometime to research this still.26 out of 36 users found this user opinion helpful.
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An unnecessary, unintuitive, pointless upgrade.
by AJG69 on September 1, 2012
Pros: Tiles look cool for the first couple days
Live Updates
Interface lacks typical Windows clutterCons: The hidden controls on the edges are confusing
The 'formerly Metro' interface is completely unnecessary for the desktop
Not intuitive
Does not work well with mouse
System Apps Icons are uglySummary: I can see no reason any business would upgrade from XP or Windows 7 for this. Windows 8 only make sense on a tablet - and even then, it is ...
Summary: I can see no reason any business would upgrade from XP or Windows 7 for this. Windows 8 only make sense on a tablet - and even then, it is not intuitive.
26 out of 37 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Bold step backwards 30 years just to force upgrades.
by wessonjoe on August 15, 2012
Pros: snazzy and quick
Cons: oppressive dashboard full of 2-dimensional news-flash-centered pictures
even more of the OS is hidden and useless
other than a redesigned interface, what's new and needed??Summary: When the first beta came out i was hoping for a great OS since Win7 was so hot. Then i saw it and decided i didn't want a giant ...
Summary: When the first beta came out i was hoping for a great OS since Win7 was so hot. Then i saw it and decided i didn't want a giant phone on my desk. This bold step backwards 30 years just to lock newcomers into a new Microsoft ecosystem and force others to upgrade is not acceptable. My time is spent mostly with multimedia creation and media file manipulation. So this new tiled interface and completely new way of doing things doesn't appeal to me at all. The word from Microsoft for us programmers to rewrite our code to work with the new OS made me gag. So this new OS is a dead duck for me. Nothing more to see, move along, move along.
:)
.23 out of 34 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Poor Attempt to Save a Dying Mobile Platform
by netlord80 on October 26, 2012
Pros: It does boot fast and any serious options are deeply hidden from first time computer users. There are no technical errors or data to confuse the novice.
Cons: 1) The pros listed above for anyone other than a first time user
2) Lack of organization in the Metro interface
3) Very steep learning curve
4) Interface is challenging if not using a touch screen
5) Simple tasks have become cumberbersomeSummary: Overall I feel that this OS is horrible. In my view this is just a poor attempt to save their failing mobile platform. They are trying to be Apple without ...
Summary: Overall I feel that this OS is horrible. In my view this is just a poor attempt to save their failing mobile platform. They are trying to be Apple without the style. Even their new blue screen error no longer has any value since it is just a frowny face with some text that says "there was an error, we will reboot your computer". As someone that supports computers, I actually cringed when I saw that.
To me this looks like that kid back in school that tried way too hard to be cool and failed miserably. Unless you want to learn an OS from scratch with limited support and buy all new touch compatible hardware, don't bother with this. Win7 works and is stable. You're better off not switching.19 out of 25 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Do not upgrade from W7! This is a nightmare.
by PLM68 on November 16, 2012
Pros: None. Certainly not for PC users.
Cons: Start screen serves no purpose over Desktop. The tiles have limited functionality including no navigation, etc. at the top of the page. If you "hover" over anything it opens automatically whether you want it to or not. Learning curve is horrendous.
Summary: W8 is like a reversible jacket that never looks good regardless of which side you wear. It sounds good on paper but never materializes in the real world of PC ...
Summary: W8 is like a reversible jacket that never looks good regardless of which side you wear. It sounds good on paper but never materializes in the real world of PC users. In 20yrs. of using Windows I have not seen such a poorly designed operating system--at least the interface to it. Is it a bird, a plane, a rocket or Superman? W8 is a tablet want-a-be on top of the good W7 operating system. MS should at least give the user and option to deactivate the Start Screen for PC users. Give us back control over our PCs. My suggestion for W7 users is DO NOT UPGRADE TO W8.
13 out of 14 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Horribly inefficient operating system.
by bjs1701d on October 20, 2012
Pros: None. Unless you want to run tablet apps on a desktop computer.
Cons: No visual pizzaz. Removes aero glass. Takes desktop computing back to 1991. Where everything was two dimensional and people didn't know how to make attractive user interfaces.
Summary: This product is just a ploy by MS to leverage Windows popularity vis-a-vis persuading developers to write apps for Windows phones and tablets. Consumers are made to suffer in the ...
Summary: This product is just a ploy by MS to leverage Windows popularity vis-a-vis persuading developers to write apps for Windows phones and tablets. Consumers are made to suffer in the short term as a result, via being forced to use an OS that was designed for tablets on a desktop computer.
17 out of 24 users found this user opinion helpful.
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No reason to upgrade, Windows 7 is fine! Save your $$$
by Robert_Butler on August 27, 2012
Pros: Great for a Media Center PC on a large television. The application that starts Windows with the tiles is great for a large screen application in your living room.
Cons: No need for this upgrade if you are using an Office Computer.
Summary: No need to upgrade. Save your $$$$ for something revolutionary.
Summary: No need to upgrade. Save your $$$$ for something revolutionary.
15 out of 19 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Worst excuse for an OS since Windows ME
by 5cmorris5 on November 7, 2012
Pros: the install disks make nice drink coasters for your desk
Cons: too many to mention with only 5000 characters
Summary: Windows 8 is the worst scam perpetrated by Micro$oft on its customers since the release of Windows ME. Let me first say I actually DO like MS products. Since ...
Summary: Windows 8 is the worst scam perpetrated by Micro$oft on its customers since the release of Windows ME. Let me first say I actually DO like MS products. Since the early days of MSDOS I have used MS products. The latest being XP Pro(sp3). Fast, reliable, solid - I was able to do all my work fast and efficiently. Then because XP will lose support in 2014 I decided to go to Windows 7, but 7 was nowhere to be found at the local retail stores. (I was told they were recently ordered by MS to pull all remaining copies of 7 and restock with 8 instead - so I missed the bandwagon by about a week). OK. Whatever. My PC well exceeds the sysreq, so I went with 8 Pro. Yesterday afternoon as a matter of fact. The first thing that dissappointed me was the fact that I would have to REinstall ALL my apps (even though this was an 'upgrade' and using the same BIT version.) This made me think - What's the point of an 'upgrade' if you just have to reinstall everything all over again? I may as well have gotten a Full Install disk (which oddly enough no one seemed to have by the way). This now forced me to spend the next 2 days reinstalling drivers, all my software, all the updates to them. Yes I said 2 days. Doing video, audio, graphics, animation and web development I have a-> LOT < of stuff (over 2,200 fonts alone). The first thing I noticed was the really awful layout of the entire 'scheme'. Not at all intuitive by any means. A completely convoluted system to say the least, turning even the simplest of tasks into a time consuming, logistical nightmarish maze to be navigated everytime you wanted to do something (that took no time at all to do in XP). XP was layed out just fine, but I guess the guys at Redmond (smoking that 'Dy-No-Mite' stuff) never heard of the saying 'If it ain't broke don't fix it', so they had to do something - even if it was wrong. On top of that it quickly got to the point where it was asking my permission every time I inhaled, exhaled or even thought about passing gas. It was WAY beyond being 'ridiculous'. By now I began to think 'What have I gotten myself into?' and was starting to get a 'bad feeling' about the whole thing. Then, as luck would have it after getting only about 6 apps reinstalled (with MANY more still to go) the OS decided it was now time to take a dump. After much useless cursing and swearing and then some troubleshooting (which proved equally useless) I decided to reformat and go BACK to XP (which was working perfectly before this nonsense). It seems this OS is really only geared for people who:
I would have given this only 1/2 a star (like I see some are), but I don't know how you do that. And will you look at the 'drippy', 'goo-goo eyed' reviews! It's almost like girls going ga-ga over seeing Elvis or the Beatles for cryin' out loud.
A) need a computer that's protected from themselves,
B) want to play videos, mp3s, and games,
C) be on Facebook 23 hours a day
because Windows 8 SURE isn't meant to be a platform for getting serious work accomplished. And the sad thing is - I can't get a refund on it even though I just bought it yesterday afternoon. I guess I now have a 32-bit drink coaster and a 64-bit drink coaster for my desk now. eh?
Updated on Nov 7, 201214 out of 17 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Windows 8 Metro greatly reduces my productivity.
by jjdawson7 on October 18, 2012
Pros: It's less expensive than Windows 7.
Cons: It's clunky, non-intuitive for mouse-users, and not nearly as productive as Windows 7 straight out of the box. I want much finer control of my computer than I get with 8 Metro! I feel very restricted when using 8.
Summary: Long story short, for me Windows 7 is superior in almost every way to Windows 8 as far as getting work done. If this is the direction of Windows, I'...
Summary: Long story short, for me Windows 7 is superior in almost every way to Windows 8 as far as getting work done. If this is the direction of Windows, I'm glad I own some Windows 7 boxes already. I develop software all day long. I cannot afford to fight with an operating system when I'm working. I have to move fast and have total control of the computer, and Windows 8 Metro just doesn't do it for me.
16 out of 22 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Microsoft
- Part number: 3UR-00001
- Description: Vibrant and beautiful, the Start screen is the first thing you'll see. Each tile on the Start screen is connected to a person, app, website, playlist, or whatever else is important to you. Tiles light up with the latest info, so you're instantly up to date. In one glance, you'll see that photo you were just tagged in, tomorrow's weather, and messages from your friends. In Windows, even the little things are all about you. Like the screen that appears when your PC is locked - it can be any picture you choose. And you'll see quick notifications on your lock screen before you sign in to your PC or open a single app. With picture password, you can sign in by tracing a pattern on a picture of your choice instead of typing a password. Zigzag over your dog's face? Three taps on your child's nose? The choice is yours. Use your new tablet or laptop for entertainment, work, or both. Chat with a friend while scoping out a map, or play a game while getting stuff done. Go from spreadsheet to video in one swipe, or snap them side-by-side for easy multitasking. Built-in apps like People, Mail, Photos, and Messaging power you through all your essential tasks and work together for a single, streamlined experience. And there's a world of new apps to discover in the Windows Store.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Operating System Windows 8 Pro
- Language(s) English
- License pricing Standard
- Localization English
Operating System
- License Type Version upgrade package
- License Qty 1 PC
- License Pricing Standard
- Media DVD-ROM
- Licensing Details 32/64-bit
- Package Type Retail
System Requirements
- Min Processor Type 1 GHz
- Min RAM Size 2 GB
- Min Hard Drive Space 20 GB
- Peripheral / Interface Devices DirectX 9.0 compatible sound card,
1366 x 768 monitor resolution
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Microsoft products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Microsoft
- Address:
One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052 - Phone: 1-425-882-8080
- Fax: 1-425-706-7329
