16/09/13

The Pros and Cons of Windows 8

Windows 8 was released to the public in October 2012 and as the operating system approaches its one year anniversary there are still many people reluctant to opt for Windows 8, this blog post aims to focus on the main reasons for this unwillingness to upgrade, or as many people may view it, downgrade!

Windows 8 is the biggest change to the Windows operating system since the launch of Windows 95, amongst the many changes; the alterations made to the desktop are by far the most radical. The familiar desktop which many have grown to know, has made way for the new innovative and so-called modern UI (user interface). The new interface has been designed to embrace touch screen utilisation whilst also being useable with the more traditional mouse and keyboard.

Justifiably many PC users may feel alienated when being required to use a touch screen interface with a mouse, resulting in a PC experience which can feel clunky and unpractical. However for users accustomed to touch screen devices such as tablets and smartphones, Windows 8 offers the chance to employ the convenience of touch screen utilisation into computer devices.

The touchscreen swipe movement which is utilised to unlock touch screen devices is a familiar reflex for those who frequently use these kinds of devices, translating this movement in to a mouse gesture however is not as easy to perform. Touch screen users may also be accustomed to using their finger and thumb in a pinch movement to zoom in and out, those with a mouse and keyboard stick to the traditional action of holding Ctrl and using the mouse wheel.

You don’t have to buy a new laptop or PC to get hold of the Windows 8. Windows 7 can be upgraded to Windows 8 and also allows users to keep programs, settings and files, whereas Window XP and Vista users on the other hand can only just bring files and settings. Any incompatible programs are required to be uninstalled before the upgrade, an example of this is Microsoft office, any versions of office earlier than 2010 are required to be uninstalled before the upgrade process resulting in the user having to purchase the software again after the upgrade, a significant flaw of Windows 8.

If you decide to upgrade a previous version of Windows up to Windows 8 and then decide that the user interface is not for you then it’s not the end of the world! Windows 8 offers a useful little feature which allows the user to change the visual appearance of the Windows 8 UI back to the much loved and more familiar start menu desktop interface.

So with all this in mind is Windows 8 operating system for you? Windows 8 is fantastic if you are leading a busy life with a busy schedule, and spending a significant amount of your time on portable devices. However for those who are less IT competent and find it difficult to adapt to IT related change, then the jump from Windows 7 to 8 may be just too much for you.

Either way there is no denying Windows 8 is a revolutionary change in operating systems and granted it does have is pros and cons, but looking on the bright side, at least it’s not Vista!