Windows 8 - readers' first verdicts

Many people argue that Windows 8 is a tipping point for Microsoft - a pivotal moment that will define the company's future for better or worse.

That's because Microsoft recognises the importanc eof the growing tablet market, and has developed the latest version of Windows with that type of device primarily in mind, although one of the Computeractive team who has been using it on a non-toucscreen computer for some time says the Windows 8 Start screen works perfectly well for him.

But this is the reader blog, so let's bring on Chris Read, who bought a digital download of Windows 8 on the day it launched.

"Having previously backed up my data, the Update Assistant led me through the upgrade process which really couldn't have been easier," says Mr Read.

"Everything worked perfectly and, within about 45 minutes, my old laptop was transformed into a rapidly booting and swift-running system. No glitches, no missing device drivers and a quick look at the new Task Manager told me that Windows 8 was using far less memory and did not put as much strain on the processor, compared with Vista.

"I do not find the new operating system at all difficult to work with and within a few hours I had explored it thoroughly - but then I have been using computers since 1969 so I am rarely daunted by change.

"If people would open their minds and stop banging on about the loss of the old Start menu, they would find a well-engineered, smooth running piece of software that is most certainly fit for purpose - and a steal at that price."

Norman Knapp agreed, and said he found it more logical to use. "The Start Button has just become the Start screen, which of course has the advantage of allowing users to arrange things to suit themselves. This leaves only the slightly different settings and options to master and then, providing you upgrade from Windows 7, you have your original desktop exactly as it was, which allows you to operate exactly as before. It is also good to use with a mouse and keyboard.  

"It works well for me and, providing you take a little time to organise your tiles and apps on the Start screen before you try anything else, you should have no trouble using it at all.

"There is one little thing to watch out for - if your apps do not appear to work, you may find your antivirus and firewall settings need adjusting to allow them to connect to the internet," said Mr Knapp.

We'd like to blanace these views with a more critical reader email... but we have yet to receive any, at least about the quality of Winodws 8.

There have been a fair few correspondents saying that they have no intention of buying the new operating system, either sticking with Windows 7 or moving to a Linux or Apple Mac PC.

Andrew Porter said he objected to cyclic change for itsake of change with new software. "At work, I do not have a choice, and in moving from Windows XP with Office 2003 to Windows 7 with Office 2010, I seem to have ended up with a PC that is slower, less user-friendly and increasingly frustrating to use. 

Personally, I am moving away from Microsoft products, having been through enough of change for its own sake and the constant problems that are occurring whenever a change is made.

"The more Microsoft products I cease to use, the better the PC becomes. I particularly like Google Chrome, Open Office, Libre Office, Glary Utilities and Privazer. As Open Office and Libre Office now have a wider range of compatibility with Microsoft Office files, I have given up using Microsoft Office entirely," said Mr Porter.

We are fairly sure that's not the end of the story, though - our Windows 8 poll shows that while most of those who have upgraded like the OS, the majority aren't going to be handing over the modest £25 any time soon. 

We expect far more people to enter the Windows 8 world at Christmas, so we'll be back with a reader blog update after the new year.

If you want to see Windows 8 in action, we have compiled a series of short video guides to the operating system. 

And if you already have Windows 8 then download the Computeractive Complete Guide to Windows 8 app from the Microsoft store - it's free.

What's your view?
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