Hayden said:As you are probably more than aware the Windows 8 developer preview has been out for a good while now. I still feel that I have the need to do a review on it. I will also add a link to the bottom of this review to a tutorial on how to set it up yourself if you wish to try it out.
There are many great features as well as a few not so great features. Between Windows Vista and Windows 7 there wasn’t that many changes. There are tonnes of differences between Windows 7 and Windows 8. With Windows 8 the main change that a lot of people do not like is the new start menu:
The main reason I don’t think people like it is because they don’t like change. After exploring around the system for a couple of hours or so you really get a feel for what a great idea it is. Look familiar? I would expect so because it looks exactly like the Windows phone menu. The new Windows 8 comes with integrated apps on the start menu. You can access twitter via the application “tweet@rama” this is great feature for Windows to implement.
You can also now listen to podcasts through applications. As well as the default applications that have been added there is an application store where you can download applications. I must admit when I first downloaded this and tried to run an application I was very disappointed because I thought they didn’t work. I soon realised that this was because my screen resolution on my VisualBox program was not set correctly. After changing it to the correct resolution it worked.
Microsoft have really pushed out the boat with this one because they have created a new version of Internet Explorer. It is a very simple version and on my computer it was running extremely fast. The address bar and all of the buttons are at the bottom of the program opposed to at the top.
If you are a big fan of traditional Windows with the desktop screen, with the start menu at the bottom you won’t be disappointed. They have implemented this, however when you turn on the computer the start menu shows up and then you have to click the button “Desktop” and then you will be taken to your desktop.
This how the system is different. You are automatically taken to your start menu which is essentially a whole page. You then can click desktop or any of your applications. The system is much easier to use and much easier to install. Obviously other things we need to bare in mind is the fact that this is the Developers preview and that the actual edition will still be improved so that the system is the best of its ability. I wouldn’t expect this system to be out this year. I would expect this to be released between June and November next year this is just my prediction for what I have seen so far. I may be completely wrong or my prediction may change depending on how well the developing continues or if they hit any major problems. The start up for this system also implements the MSN and Xbox live emails to make the installation even easier, you just simply login to your email and it will connect to your account and grab your information that you have previously entered for your email.
Overall I think this is a great system so far and I’m looking forward to further developments.
I would rate the Windows 8 Developer Preview: 8/10
How would you do that? Switch between them bothGoogle Chrome works on it. The way that I set it up I didn't overwrite my Windows 7. I had Windows 8 running at the same time on the same system.
I was going to ask the same question.
Is it any good. I wanted to test it out but I was scared that I wouldn't be able to get my Windows 7 back.
Is it worth it? Do most programs work on it? Like Google Chrome. Remote Desktop. Flash Player? etc