[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Does Windows 8's three-month report card read pass or fail? here

[angryshortguy]

Windows 8 will sell.
If you want a new Windows computer, you won't have a choice.

The only other choices you have are tablets, Linux, Mac OSX.

Most people don't need anything more than a tablet.
They read emails, they surf, that's about it.

So if you don't like Windows 8, don't buy it.
Looks like you won't be alone in that decision...

[Spektor]

Oh please. Apparently the only grade this professor knows how to give is C-. Well fence straddling isn't a good position either in school or life.

For usability problems alone, especially on existing, non-touch hardware, the OS deserves a D or D+ if not worse.

How do you expect the child to change his study habits if you don't grade him fairly?

MS clearly needs to study harder. Perhaps by next semester it will have done so, and issued users an upgrade offering users the choice of full Metro UI, or alternately, Start Button and Boot-Direct-To-Desktop plus full Aero Windows (i.e., Windows 7 Plus) UI.

[ReySys]

I have at work an open agreement with Microsoft. PR & RC first. Testing W8 RTM since august last year. But many of my work machines are OEM. So I need to wait manufacturers (HP) to deliver it to Mexico. Even if I buy 20 or more they said still not available. So WATING FOR KING SOULS HP. So still today they don't want they are offering W7 models for the Enterprise. So success needs to take account of this in the calification. At home models there is another history many models. I have upgraded many of my users personal machines thru the offer of Microsoft. They are very happy with same hardware last OS form Microsoft at that price. None of them upgraded even memory. A little extra work with device Brand. My personal laptop Thinkpad T60 started with Xp is running W8 now. Is a mature platform, thank for keeping both worlds Tablet/Desktop, Bitlocker is more simple, Symantec take a while for the antivirus (Nov), thanks for few versions of W8, Yes, posibly users are going to complain of something but cerebral diarrea is always optional (attitude). Very happy with W8 Pro. So I wrote this before ended of reading the article. Back to it!

[platform]

Why are people so hung on the APP store for Windows 8? This shows most tech sites don't even know the difference between 8 and RT. Windows RT is dependent on the APP store, Windows 8 IS NOT! Windows 8 can still run these things we call "programs", and at last check, there were several billion windows programs out there!

[ReySys]

Surface, Surface Pro in Mexico we are going to see them in 6 months in Mexico! same situation of Enterprise W8. March is going to be the sale of last models wth W7. Againg PC suffer of time to market problem with Manufacturers. As with WP8 phones still not available in Mexico another time to market issue. So 3 months is not enouhg time to estimate a success or not! If Microsoft want more success in his business they need tremendous effort in availability in all channels! I don't want to buy new tech 6-8 months later tech industry!

[OnTheRight]

I agree with @Spektor's first paragraph.

I am a big fan of Windows 8! I like the two desktops, I have from the first beta release. Embrace flexibility. The metro live tiles are great, like reading your dashboard -- everything is there for a quick scan.

Windows 8 is so much faster to boot and load apps. Updated mouse/trackpad drivers bring swipe gestures that were only available on the tablet.

I do admit the Start Button removal was inconvenient, but dock apps and replace menu systems fill the void. I really like POKKI.

Microsoft is not a tee-shirt and flipflops kind of corporate culture -- they never have been. They've made mistakes like Vista, BOB and a few other retail nightmares, but they understand their core customers.

What's good for IBM err Microsoft is good for all.

[bobeaux]

Win8 sucketh ! Worst one so far was having to resubmit my 2011 takes, (TurboTax) and Win 8 won't allow updating.

I have to find someone with a Win7 program to allow me to complete the tax problem.

[df1898]

My wife purchased a laptop with Windows 8 on it in October. It does not have a touch screen. She is still cursing at it.

The original Mac computer was logical and then Microsoft "borrowed" that logic with its Windows operating system. Fine. It worked. Used both platforms for years. No complaints from one OS to the next.

Windows 8 throws all that logic out the window -- so to speak -- by hiding everything -- even in the email client. She keeps asking, "How do I forward an email?"

Multiply that question by a thousand similar ones (how do I reboot? Shut down? Do this? Do that?) and you will have a pretty good idea what my life has been like since Windows 8 entered our house.

I'm keeping Windows 7 on my laptop and sticking with my iPhone. No Windows 8 smartphone, tablet or laptop for me. I give Windows 8 an "F."

[JohnUSA]

A definite F.
FAIL, FAIL, FAIL.
Windows 8 is the worst OS I have ever used in 20 years.
It is very poorly designed, very irritating to use, and its Achillis heel is that stupid Microsoft failed miserably by trying to appease both type of users, all current key/mouse users, and future touch users. They should have designed 2 completely separate versions.
I hope that the new Windows 9 that Microsoft is rushing to release ASAP as they know that many users hate Windows 8 will be a properly designed OS and will be superior to the abysmal Windows 8.
Windows 8 belongs in the garbage.

[AsokAsus]

From CNNMoney: "Windows sales rose 24% to $5.8 billion in the quarter that ended Dec. 31. Microsoft unveiled its years-in-the-making Windows overhaul on Oct. 26. But [the Windows 8 launch] pales in comparison to prior launches of the operating system: Windows sales soared 76% during the quarter that Windows 7 launched, and rose by 65% when Windows Vista debuted."

Well, the Windows 8 disaster that myself and ten thousand other analysts and testers have been predicting for over six months has now been confirmed. Windows 8 is doing only 1/3 as well compared to when Windows 7 and Vista came out. And guess what? PC sales as a whole are NOT 3 times worse as in those two previous cases, so it's completely bogus to be claiming that a slump in PC sales is to blame. And besides, hasn't Microsoft and all of their "partners" been claiming that Windows 8 was just the thing to turn that PC slump around? Kind of ironic that now they're trying to blame the PC slump for bad Windows 8 performance, don't you think?

[AsokAsus]

Quote

Windows 8 will sell. If you want a new Windows computer, you won't have a choice. The only other choices you have are tablets, Linux, Mac OSX. Most people don't need anything more than a tablet. They read emails, they surf, that's about it. So if you don't like Windows 8, don't buy it. Looks like you won't be alone in that decision...

So not true. You can buy all the Dell Latitudes and Optixplexes you want with WIndows 7 Pro pre-loaded. In fact, that's the default OS. Dell would go out of business if they attempted to offer only Windows 8 to the enterprise and government and they know it. Dell learned from the Vista fiasco when they drank a REALLY big glass of the Microsoft Kool-Aid. Now they're drinking just a few sips, as it's only their consumer customers Dell insists on screwing over with Windows 8.

[HoustonMike]

About 3 months ago I downloaded 32 bit Win 8 Pro and loaded it on an old Dell Duo (touch-sensitive flip screen), 2 gigs of RAM, dual core ATOM and a 7200 RPM hard drive. It gave that box a new lease on life. It boots quickly and the tiles scroll smoothly. I loaded Office 2010 Pro Plus along with Visio Pro 2010 and Project Pro 2010. Everything works great with no crashes. It’s an older machine so it is still a little slow but very serviceable. The learning curve for the “modern” UI takes about the same amount of time as when Microsoft introduced the ribbon to Office, ie, a few hours.

This is no different than other Windows upgrades. There is a little learning curve but it’s over in a day and you move on. I have no use for RT and the apps in the Windows App Store is very immature. Think of Win 8 as a starting point for a new branch in Windows development. It will improve in short order. I am a 63 year old retired IT guy and I’ve been through the same hysterics with Windows 3, 2000, XP, … The press always over reacts. Take them with a large grain of salt.

[AsokAsus]

Quote

but they understand their core customers.

Now that's hilarious! Pretty much a give away that you're one of the army of paid MicroShills posting on the Internet trying to pretend like they are real customers who JUST LOVE Windows 8.

[AsokAsus]

Quote

About 3 months ago I downloaded 32 bit Win 8 Pro and loaded it on an old Dell Duo (touch-sensitive flip screen), 2 gigs of RAM, dual core ATOM and a 7200 RPM hard drive. About 3 months ago I downloaded 32 bit Win 8 Pro and loaded it on an old Dell Duo (touch-sensitive flip screen), 2 gigs of RAM, dual core ATOM and a 7200 RPM hard drive.t.

Sure you did. No problem at all in finding Windows 8 drivers for such an ancient laptop, hey? I've seen this exact same claim posted ad nauseum. And it's a completely ridicuous lie. Just another one of a plethora of bogus claims about Windows 8 being posted by legions of paid MicroShills who post this garbage in response to anyone who detests using the excrable Windows 8.

[thewazak]

"Microsoft maddeningly refused to provide specifics..."

Duh! I wonder why?
Clearly it is to keep the anti MS warriors guessing - which leaves them with the task of coming up with new fanbio type comments of doom and gloom every time.
But they have run out of new comments. It's all same old - same old.
.
I wonder why the fanboi churnalists are not commenting on the lack of anything new from Apple in the last couple of years and their falling share price?
Simple: they just keep beating up the opposition and praying the iPhone 6 will be at least be slightly different to the last couple of models.....
I wish Apple WOULD come up with something innovative - then the fanbois will have something to cheer about - instead of knit-picking at the opposition.

[HoustonMike]

Quote

but they understand their core customers. Now that's hilarious! Pretty much a give away that you're one of the army of paid MicroShills posting on the Internet trying to pretend like they are real customers who JUST LOVE Windows 8.

Everything I said is true. I was a CIO for a chemical company for years and have no affiliation with Microsoft. In addition to office, I loaded several large non-Microsoft apps as well.

You obviously have no hard data and no objectivity. I don't lie and I'm nobody's shill.

[HoustonMike]

My earlier post seems to have drawn some disbelief. I'm not sure why this topic drew so much anger. I have no affiliation with Microsoft and am nobody's shill. I never lie. I am a former CIO in the chemicals industry and a former director of product management for a software company (not Microsoft). I actually have hard data to back up everything I said. I have a number of large non-Microsoft apps on the machine as well. My only driver problems are that Win 8 doesn't see the accelerometer or the compass.

[lrh1956]

I have made the switch to windows 8 on both my pc's and could not be happier. learning curve, yes, but nothing a few minutes of time could not get used to. both my pc's have non-touch screens. using them with a standard mouse was not the most fluid of activities but I have purchased a couple of Microsoft touch mice (@ amazon for mid $30 prices now) and it made a world difference with the usability of the operating system. while Windows has always been part of my computing life, I was never really a "fan" of windows (nor any other OS for that matter). using a computer was just a tool to get to the internet or get some work done. windows 7 made a difference how I enjoyed MS products over other OS's. Windows 8 turned me into a "fan" of Windows. While windows 8 may not be for everyone, it works for me and using the MS Touch mouse has transformed the operating system into something I look forward to using each and every day. Nice job Microsoft...looking forward to future refinements of this great OS.

[Riquin]

Bought 2 new desktop pcs last month with win 8. One of then a big fast and expensive monster for my daughter so she can run her mathematical models. The usability of win 8 is nonexistent; Win 7 was a good OS but win 8 with a workspace over a workspace is just plain stupid. Ms needs a big change in their management structure and pronto before it goes down. The market is now wide open for a new OS properly supported by a high tech corporation.