Next Version of Windows ?

[stix]

I'm curious about "Windows 8" and wondered what the current wisdom is around here. Anybody have any info to share? Widespread beta testing by late summer?

article on CNN's Money page:
http://money.cnn.com/2011/04/04/technology/windows_8/index.htm

[SithTracy]

Windows 7 has not been around long. Seems like they are playing catchup at this point with Apple... GASP!!! I said it. Been a Windows guy forever and recently got a Mac. While I like Windows 7, I like OS X a little more. My complaint with Apple is the cost of their product. I think they would benefit more if costs came down, but they are solid machines. I do have Windows 7 running alongside OS X on our MacBook Pro. I did come out of beta testing retirement and took Windows 7 for a test drive and I will likely do the same with 8, but Windows 7 is a very good product and made me forget about XP. Personally I would try to make that fly more, but I understand the need to compete. Apple is doing well right now, but MS could benefit with a Window 8 for everyone and enough of the Basic/Home Premium/Pro/Ultimate crap... and lower the cost. That would benefit them too.

Hell, I don't know what I am saying... I'm tired. Going to bed....

[Ian]

Yeah, there are way too many SKU's for Windows 7. I do see the need for entry level versions for things like notebooks, but when you get to Pro and Ultimate, there are very few differences. Mix in the enterprise licenses and you have a big mess.

The driving force behind Windows 8 is tablets. I just hope they don't dumb it down and turn it into a glorified iPad.

Good articles on the new features in Windows 8:

http://www.winsupersite.com/article/win ... web-135842
http://www.winsupersite.com/article/win ... ion-135807
http://www.winsupersite.com/article/win ... der-135788
http://www.winsupersite.com/article/win ... ive-135787
http://www.winsupersite.com/article/win ... bon-130084
http://www.winsupersite.com/article/win ... een-130065

Seriously Sith? A Mac? Ugh...

[SithTracy]

Indeed... a Mac... Don't knock it until you try it... and no... I am not drinking the Apple koolaid. It's a very good UNIX/BSD like OS. I still spend most of my time on my desktop (Windows & Linux), but the MacBook we have works great and supports my photography hobby very nicely... when I need a portable.... which is more often than I bargained for. Kids really like it too... Another note, best Windows laptop I ever used with BootCamp (sadly, it is also the most expensive too).

[Shaman]

Yeah, there are way too many SKU's for Windows 7. I do see the need for entry level versions for things like notebooks, but when you get to Pro and Ultimate, there are very few differences. Mix in the enterprise licenses and you have a big mess.

The driving force behind Windows 8 is tablets. I just hope they don't dumb it down and turn it into a glorified iPad.

Good articles on the new features in Windows 8:

http://www.winsupersite.com/article/win ... web-135842
http://www.winsupersite.com/article/win ... ion-135807
http://www.winsupersite.com/article/win ... der-135788
http://www.winsupersite.com/article/win ... ive-135787
http://www.winsupersite.com/article/win ... bon-130084
http://www.winsupersite.com/article/win ... een-130065

Seriously Sith? A Mac? Ugh...

Ian I respect you, your website and your advocacy for technology excellence. I rarely respond to remarks about knocking Microsoft or Apple. As someone who's been computing since 1986 starting with DOS and an ATT 6300, I did not come over from "THE DARK SIDE" as one person put it until 2008 when I purchased a Mac Pro. I do not regret a millisecond. As a recent purchaser of two iPads (wife accounts for getting one of them), dumb it down is not what I would call the experience of using an iPad in its present form. That said, you, of course, are more than entitled to comment as you see it. Just curious, on second thought, I won't ask as I've already had enough of a day making things happen.
Best,
Richard

[Ian]

Well said Richard. As someone who spends A LOT of time on his Android phone, I see the attraction of the iPad. I've thought about getting an Android tablet for my wife as she uses her laptop primarily for Facebook and games. Maybe one of those new Chromebooks?

[Shaman]

Well said Richard. As someone who spends A LOT of time on his Android phone, I see the attraction of the iPad. I've thought about getting an Android tablet for my wife as she uses her laptop primarily for Facebook and games. Maybe one of those new Chromebooks?

Ian, thank you for your remarks. Actually, to be fair, there's a piece in Macworld that addresses the tone of your comment and essentially exposes the truth of one of your assertions. I quote a sentence or two: "Unfortunately, transferring and synchronizing files between the Mac and the tablet isn’t easy..Frankly, this is one area where Apple could vastly improve the iPad experience. Until that happens, here are your choices when it comes to transferring files between your various devices.

I guess I am learning about my own iPad use.

Always appreciate your perspectives.

Best,
Richard

[Ian]

Yeah, its kinda funny how you still need a computer to setup an iPad. So much for it being a PC replacement.

I subscribe to the notion that the current crop of tablets are still primarily about consumption and entertainment rather than creation. If I would get a Windows tablet, it would have do all this as well as retain the usability of my laptop.

[stix]

Ballmer says Windows 8 will arrive in 2012:

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/steve/2011/05-23Developer.mspx

We're obviously hard at work on the next version of Windows. Windows 7 PCs will sell over 350 million units this year. We've done a lot in Windows 7 to improve customer satisfaction. We have a brand new user interface. We've added touch, and ink, and speech. And yet, as we look forward to the next generation of Windows systems, which will come out next year, there's a whole lot more coming. As we progress through the year, you ought to expect to hear a lot about Windows 8. Windows 8 slates, tablets, PCs, a variety of different form factors.

[Ian]

Video showing the touch screen interface.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p92QfWOw88I

I don't think I'd want that on my desktop, but it will probably work well on a tablet.

[stix]

from Microsoft News Center:

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2011/jun11/06-01corporatenews.aspx

[zxc]

like windows phone 7