Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Del Lardo · 01-03-2012, 15:57

Installed it last night and had a quick play and I must say that I'm quite impressed, runs well on an Atom 330 with only 1.5GB RAM (2GB shared with video) and 5400rpm HDD.

I've had a Windows phone for a few weeks so the Metro UI looks familiar but it works so much better on a larger screen (20" 1680x1050) as you have much better access to your icons. Miss DLs initial reaction was one of wtf how do I find my programs until I pointed out that it's a prettier (looks better and live tiles (icons)) version of exactly how she has her Windows 7 PC setup with links to all the software she actually uses on the Desktop. Talking of the Desktop you still have very easy access to it via a single click and it includes a fancy new Progress bar when copying files. I can see the UI working really well on a 10" tablet but a keyboard and mouse works fine though somethings like the drag to unlock when you first boot feels very strange.

There is a preview of IE10 and it integrates really nicely, tabs are handled well and rendering speed is very good.

There is an App store (to be expected) and it does exactly what it says on the tin, currently the limited number of Apps/Games are free and demonstrate the final intergration well. My favorite app so far is the Photo one (comes preinstalled) as the integration with Facebook and Flickr is excellent and it is something that both my Windows 7 and OSX machines really lack.

I suspect that a lot of people will slate the new UI when they first try it as people don't like change but given the core functionality for most people is a bit of e-mail, internet, music and photos I think that if after a couple of weeks that if you gave people the choice of going back they'd look at you a bit funny. In fact I'm typing this on a Windows 7 PC and I'm already missing the ability to set an app to be a permanent sidebar (would be great for Skype).

A good preview/review can be read here and you can download it from here if you fancy a play.

Glaucus · 01-03-2012, 16:43

my USB pen is broke and no cd drive.
Then I went to the shop to get one and my cards been blocked. Got it unblocked, but will have to wait till tomorrow to try iL out. Can't wait to see app store. I'm running the developer preview of it ATM as main system. Once you get used to metro I love it. Much better for home use and hopefully apps will make full use of live tiles. Something I've hated on pcs is the lack of instant info, that we've got used to on phones.

Dymetrie · 01-03-2012, 21:10

Intrigued!

What's the install size? Can I fit it on my 8GB SSD?

Del Lardo · 01-03-2012, 22:03

nope, 11-12GB

Dymetrie · 01-03-2012, 22:06

BOO!

Oh well, hopefully now that Mrs Dym is back at work I can actually manage to save up for a larger HDD for my mini 9

Kitten · 02-03-2012, 16:08

Need to have a play!

Glaucus · 05-03-2012, 19:49

Finally got a USB pen today. Mouse controls are so much better.

I really like metro. Just the apps letting it down..
Why no artwork, play/pause, skip button on music.
Mail app needs all accounts showing and how many new mail in each. Possibly with ability to make it even bigger to show stuff.
Callander app works really well though and has synced perfectly with my gmail Callander.

After a litter learning curve I think it's far easier to navigate than desktop. As all apps have the same features. Right charms, right click brings up bottom task bar, left brings up all open apps. Rather than software with settings here there and everywhere.

Graphic glitches are much worse in this than the developer preview though.

01-03-2012, 15:57	#1
Del Lardo Absinthe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cambridge Posts: 2,539	Windows 8 Consumer Preview Installed it last night and had a quick play and I must say that I'm quite impressed, runs well on an Atom 330 with only 1.5GB RAM (2GB shared with video) and 5400rpm HDD. I've had a Windows phone for a few weeks so the Metro UI looks familiar but it works so much better on a larger screen (20" 1680x1050) as you have much better access to your icons. Miss DLs initial reaction was one of wtf how do I find my programs until I pointed out that it's a prettier (looks better and live tiles (icons)) version of exactly how she has her Windows 7 PC setup with links to all the software she actually uses on the Desktop. Talking of the Desktop you still have very easy access to it via a single click and it includes a fancy new Progress bar when copying files. I can see the UI working really well on a 10" tablet but a keyboard and mouse works fine though somethings like the drag to unlock when you first boot feels very strange. There is a preview of IE10 and it integrates really nicely, tabs are handled well and rendering speed is very good. There is an App store (to be expected) and it does exactly what it says on the tin, currently the limited number of Apps/Games are free and demonstrate the final intergration well. My favorite app so far is the Photo one (comes preinstalled) as the integration with Facebook and Flickr is excellent and it is something that both my Windows 7 and OSX machines really lack. I suspect that a lot of people will slate the new UI when they first try it as people don't like change but given the core functionality for most people is a bit of e-mail, internet, music and photos I think that if after a couple of weeks that if you gave people the choice of going back they'd look at you a bit funny. In fact I'm typing this on a Windows 7 PC and I'm already missing the ability to set an app to be a permanent sidebar (would be great for Skype). A good preview/review can be read here and you can download it from here if you fancy a play.

01-03-2012, 16:43	#2
Glaucus Absinthe Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,855	my USB pen is broke and no cd drive. Then I went to the shop to get one and my cards been blocked. Got it unblocked, but will have to wait till tomorrow to try iL out. Can't wait to see app store. I'm running the developer preview of it ATM as main system. Once you get used to metro I love it. Much better for home use and hopefully apps will make full use of live tiles. Something I've hated on pcs is the lack of instant info, that we've got used to on phones. __________________

01-03-2012, 21:10	#3
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	Intrigued! What's the install size? Can I fit it on my 8GB SSD? __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet....

01-03-2012, 22:06	#5
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	BOO! Oh well, hopefully now that Mrs Dym is back at work I can actually manage to save up for a larger HDD for my mini 9 __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet....

02-03-2012, 16:08	#6
Kitten Spinky-Spank Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 668. The Neighbour of the Beast Posts: 11,226	Need to have a play! __________________ "You only get one life. There's no God, no rules, except for those you accept or create for yourself. Then once it's over... it's over. Dreamless sleep for ever and ever. So why not be happy while you're here?" Nate Fisher

01-03-2012, 22:03	#4
Del Lardo Absinthe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cambridge Posts: 2,539	nope, 11-12GB

05-03-2012, 19:49	#7
Glaucus Absinthe Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,855	Finally got a USB pen today. Mouse controls are so much better. I really like metro. Just the apps letting it down.. Why no artwork, play/pause, skip button on music. Mail app needs all accounts showing and how many new mail in each. Possibly with ability to make it even bigger to show stuff. Callander app works really well though and has synced perfectly with my gmail Callander. After a litter learning curve I think it's far easier to navigate than desktop. As all apps have the same features. Right charms, right click brings up bottom task bar, left brings up all open apps. Rather than software with settings here there and everywhere. Graphic glitches are much worse in this than the developer preview though. __________________