No more SKUing with Windows 8, finally!

[wrldwzrd89]

Microsoft has announced the Windows 8 editions. There are only 4 major editions this time, named Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Enterprise (volume license customers only, not sold at retail), and Windows RT (for ARM devices, not sold at retail). That means... just 2 retail versions. YAY! It's about time.

Various sites are reporting this:
http://www.winsupersite.com/article...osoft-stops-skuing-customers-windows-8-142840
http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/ne...ws-8-windows-8-pro-and-windows-rt-for-arm.ars

Official blog post:
http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/.../04/16/announcing-the-windows-8-editions.aspx

 

[boss.king]

I'm glad they haven't tried to pull the Premium/Home Premium/Ultimate/etc crap again

 

[e²Studios]

Too bad Windows 8 is the Windows Me/Vista of its time. It's a horrible OS, forcing people to use their hideous Metro UI was the worst mistake ever.

I want my start menu back... Better yet I want the hours I spent previewing it only to figure out that like XP the majority of people will stick with Windows 7 and regard Windows 8 as trash.

Maybe they'll get it right next time.. I doubt it though.

 

[boss.king]

Too bad Windows 8 is the Windows Me/Vista of its time. It's a horrible OS, forcing people to use their hideous Metro UI was the worst mistake ever.

I want my start menu back... Better yet I want the hours I spent previewing it only to figure out that like XP the majority of people will stick with Windows 7 and regard Windows 8 as trash.

Maybe they'll get it right next time.. I doubt it though.

Wait, you believe that cycle thing? You know you've left out a couple of versions right?

 

[e²Studios]

Wait, you believe that cycle thing? You know you've left out a couple of versions right?

I don't count Windows 2k or 3.11 for Workgroups as consumer products since their main target was the business world, not consumer end users. 98SE doesn't count as its own version.

Bottom line is Windows 8 is alienating its core users with some idiotic UI that looks and performs like crap. The previews are horrible, and while I know its not a final release it shows how bad Windows 8 has the potential to be.

I can see it working for a tablet, but Metro UI has no place on a PC. Metro UI sure worked well for Zune right?

I see nothing good with Windows 8, I said the same thing about Windows ME and Windows Vista, we all know how good those were.

You will see people sticking with Windows 7 until MS gets their heads out their asses and puts out a better OS revision, similar to what happened in the XP/Vista change over.

 

[DingleButt]

I don't count Windows 2k or 3.11 for Workgroups as consumer products since their main target was the business world, not consumer end users. 98SE doesn't count as its own version.

Bottom line is Windows 8 is alienating its core users with some idiotic UI that looks and performs like crap. The previews are horrible, and while I know its not a final release it shows how bad Windows 8 has the potential to be.

I can see it working for a tablet, but Metro UI has no place on a PC. Metro UI sure worked well for Zune right?

I see nothing good with Windows 8, I said the same thing about Windows ME and Windows Vista, we all know how good those were.

You will see people sticking with Windows 7 until MS gets their heads out their asses and puts out a better OS revision, similar to what happened in the XP/Vista change over.

You probably will see a lot of people sticking with 7 until 9 comes out. Im sure Microsoft is actually banking on this, especially with businesses. It doesnt really hurt them much because most companies just switched to 7 recently anyways.

My hope is that they continue to improve on metro and everything before Windows 9. Not not super likely though but I can hope. Ive been using 8 as my main OS since the consumer preview and I find it great. I dont like being in 7 anymore actually because I miss the Metro interface of Windows 8 when I want to check weather, use a Metro app/game or get the time while in a full screen video (Win+C).

 

[boss.king]

I don't count Windows 2k or 3.11 for Workgroups as consumer products since their main target was the business world, not consumer end users. 98SE doesn't count as its own version.

Bottom line is Windows 8 is alienating its core users with some idiotic UI that looks and performs like crap. The previews are horrible, and while I know its not a final release it shows how bad Windows 8 has the potential to be.

Since it's not actually for sale yet, there's no evidence of that. You're extrapolating anecdotal evidence, nothing more.

I can see it working for a tablet, but Metro UI has no place on a PC. Metro UI sure worked well for Zune right?

Metro actually did work well for Zune, it was a very good device and loved by many. What didn't work was that it was only ever sold in America, and was a late entrant to the market. None of that was a result of the UI.

I see nothing good with Windows 8, I said the same thing about Windows ME and Windows Vista, we all know how good those were.

Ok, we'll take your word for it

 

[e²Studios]

Since it's not actually for sale yet, there's no evidence of that. You're extrapolating anecdotal evidence, nothing more.



Metro actually did work well for Zune, it was a very good device and loved by many. What didn't work was that it was only ever sold in America, and was a late entrant to the market. None of that was a result of the UI.



Ok, we'll take your word for it

Say what? I've used the previews, they're horrible. The previews while not a full representation of the final release shows how bad the OS is and how much worse it can get for the final release. I won't be using the final product, I like the vast majority of users will just stick to Windows 7.

The Zune was dead before it even launched, another bad idea by MS as per the usual. Kinda like their attempt at entering the home networking industry, that flopped too. Metro UI falls in to this category as well, its horrible, give me my start menu back and remove the gimmick UI. I don't need nor want a tablet interface on my PC. You could do a registry change to get the start menu back in the first preview, it doesn't work in the newest one which tells me MS borked big time and is removing it.

Vista/ME/95 are all universally accepted as major screw ups in the Windows family. Windows 8 will soon be added to this great list of Windows family screw ups.

 

[boss.king]

Say what? I've used the previews, they're horrible. The previews while not a full representation of the final release shows how bad the OS is and how much worse it can get for the final release. I won't be using the final product, I like the vast majority of users will just stick to Windows 7.

In your opinion. You don't speak for the majority of Windows users, so stop pretending to. In fact, the majority of Windows users have probably never tried Windows 8 previews because they are just that: a preview, not the real thing.

 

[chrono1081]

I see Windows 8 flopping if they don't get rid of Metro.

Its funny to see people on here whine and cry about Mountain Lion having notification center...but have they seen or used Windows 8?

I think its a huge step backwards for Microsoft. 7 was the best version of Windows in my opinion and then they unnecessarily throw 8 into the mix.

It is nice to see only two retail versions though.

 

[roadbloc]

Say what? I've used the previews, they're horrible. The previews while not a full representation of the final release shows how bad the OS is and how much worse it can get for the final release.

To assume an OS as a failure from the preview isn't wise. The Windows Vista preview was awesome; then look what happened, the retail sucked. The original OS X preview sucked, and look at all the awesome editions we've had since. There is still time for MS to make a lot of changes.

I personally like Metro. My only gripe with Windows 8 is that it is too complicated at its current stage. Microsoft need to simplify it.

EDIT: Also, at the end of the day, if Windows 8 is a failure, which it certainly could be, it isn't as if Microsoft have Apple's attitude on legacy support. You can more than likely stay on Windows 7 and skip the next two or so OSs from MS and still be in support.

 

[boss.king]

To assume an OS as a failure from the preview isn't wise. The Windows Vista preview was awesome; then look what happened, the retail sucked. The original OS X preview sucked, and look at all the awesome editions we've had since. There is still time for MS to make a lot of changes.

I personally like Metro. My only gripe with Windows 8 is that it is too complicated at its current stage. Microsoft need to simplify it.

EDIT: Also, at the end of the day, if Windows 8 is a failure, which it certainly could be, it isn't as if Microsoft have Apple's attitude on legacy support. You can more than likely stay on Windows 7 and skip the next two or so OSs from MS and still be in support.

I wouldn't say it's complicated. It's just different. There will be a steeper learning curve but I feel it has a big pay off at the end.

And yes, the legacy support thing is great. People aren't going to be left behind if they don't like Windows 8.

 

[wrldwzrd89]

I wouldn't say it's complicated. It's just different. There will be a steeper learning curve but I feel it has a big pay off at the end.

And yes, the legacy support thing is great. People aren't going to be left behind if they don't like Windows 8.

Totally agreed with the steeper learning curve. There will be a MONSTER payoff for Microsoft, even if Windows 8 only takes off for tablets and flops utterly with desktop users. The most likely scenario, in my opinion, would play out like this:

1. Microsoft releases Windows 8 in early 2013
2. Consumers buy new computers with it preinstalled
3. Consumers learn (slowly) how it works, get used to the new stuff
4. A small percentage (<5%) upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 8 by purchasing a retail box
5. A larger percentage, but still small (<10%) upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 8 by purchasing the new web installer
6. Consumers post reviews of Windows 8 after a few weeks, reviews are mixed but optimistic that Microsoft can improve what's there

 

[boss.king]

Totally agreed with the steeper learning curve. There will be a MONSTER payoff for Microsoft, even if Windows 8 only takes off for tablets and flops utterly with desktop users. The most likely scenario, in my opinion, would play out like this:

1. Microsoft releases Windows 8 in early 2013
2. Consumers buy new computers with it preinstalled
3. Consumers learn (slowly) how it works, get used to the new stuff
4. A small percentage (<5%) upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 8 by purchasing a retail box
5. A larger percentage, but still small (<10%) upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 8 by purchasing the new web installer
6. Consumers post reviews of Windows 8 after a few weeks, reviews are mixed but optimistic that Microsoft can improve what's there

I believe the (unconfirmed) release date is October 2012, but other than that your theory is what I'm expecting too; a slow, steady uptake of everything Metro.

 

[MrMoore]

Vista/ME/95 are all universally accepted as major screw ups in the Windows family. Windows 8 will soon be added to this great list of Windows family screw ups.

Windows 95 was a screw up? First I've heard that. I thought Win95 was the thing that finally got people on board with using a GUI that wasn't a Mac?

I'll agree ME and Vista weren't the greatest, but Win95 was one of the most successful launches of an OS.