I’m very excited today with the release of Windows 8. It’s been nice to see the positive press on the new OS release, and to connect with friends with questions about the latest version of Windows.
As an example of the mails I’ve received, one was from one of my friends from a past life in Silicon Valley (ohai!) asking for my feedback on the release. I thought I’d share it here as I know others have similar question.
If you want to know more about Windows 8, you’ll get a good overview of Windows 8 at http://windows.microsoft.com/.
The latest release provides the Windows desktop that you’re accustomed to (new and improved!) and provides the Windows 8 Start screen that presents all the most important things you need (your apps, favourite web sites). In short, I love it. I’d say that even if I didn’t work at Microsoft.
What I love is that the new Windows 8 PC that’s right for me is already at home and at work: I can upgrade my Windows 7 devices easily. As I have a number of touch enabled PCs at home and at work, I like how Windows 8 is optimized for touch – this is a big plus for me. In addition to traditional desktop PCs with monitors, I have Sony and HP All-In-One PCs at home (plus a TabletPC at the office – I love my HP EliteBook 2670). I can use the built in touch screen with our modern OS and better leverage the touch interface.
I also like the different hardware options offered for Windows: the new Microsoft Surface with Windows RT (which runs on ARM) and the Surface with Windows 8 (Intel) – more info is available at http://www.microsoft.com/Surface/en-US. You can view which to choose from here. The Surface with Windows 8 runs all your current Windows 7 apps as well as those available on the new Windows Store.
As for which one to get, that’s a very personal decision. I will likely get both: upgrades for my current Windows 7 PCs to Windows 8 Pro (I only have to buy one copy for five machines at home – a very nice deal) plus a Microsoft Surface with Windows RT to have as my around the home and on the go tablet.
That is, until I get a new Surface with Windows 8. 😉
Also nice are the new ASUS Vivo Tab RT, Lenovo’s ThinkPad Tablet 2, the HP Spectre XT Ultrabook, and Dell’s XPS 10 tablet with Windows RT – a shout out to my friends at Dell for bringing a very cool device to market!
To find the PC that’s right for your life, go to the Windows PC Selector – just answer a few questions to find the right PC or tablet for you.
(BTW… Here’s the deal on the upgrade offer, valid from October 26, 2012 until January 31, 2013 and is limited to five upgrade licenses per customer. To install Windows 8 Pro, customers must be running Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista, or Windows 7. You can get full details on our special offer here. Not a bad deal if you ask me! 😉