[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Should you upgrade to Windows 8 while it's still $40? here

[DerkThunder]

To answer the question posed by the title of this article?

No you should not switch to windows 8 while it still costs $40. In fact if Microsoft paid users $40 to switch to windows 8 I would still say they got ripped off.

Staying with windows 7 forever is a far better option than switching to 8 for any price.

[dbviragoh765]

Before answering (or even asking) this question, you need to define the word, upgrade. In all the money Microsoft has spent of Marketing, I haven't seen a single benefit, or reason to change operating systems, or choose this OS on a new system.

[waldojim]

You both might want to consider actually researching the benefits.

I actually DID upgrade multiple systems to Windows 8 now. Each of them are quicker, use less memory, and more stable now than before. Well worth the money IMHO.

[privateer38]

This is an opportunity to use and learn a new MS OS for cheap!
How could that be a bad deal?

[JeffreyClinard]

Quote

This is an opportunity to use and learn a new MS OS for cheap! How could that be a bad deal?

You lose DVD and Blu-Ray. Windows Live doesn't translate correctly, so if you are playing anything that uses it to save games, you'll lose your game saves.

[compnovo]

JeffreyClinard, on 29 January 2013 - 02:03 PM, said:

Quote

This is an opportunity to use and learn a new MS OS for cheap! How could that be a bad deal?

You lose DVD and Blu-Ray. Windows Live doesn't translate correctly, so if you are playing anything that uses it to save games, you'll lose your game saves.

Until tomorrow you can get WMC free, which provides DVD playback. Windows has never natively supported Blu-Ray playback.

Besides, most computers come with a DVD utility, and system builders like myself get the apps free when we buy optical drives. Easy workaround.

This post has been edited by compnovo: 29 January 2013 - 02:14 PM

[mike6875]

I would not upgrade if they gave it to me for FREE.

[MichaelRousseau]

I already upgraded. Best $40 I have ever spent on an OS. And no, I couldn't care less what the nay sayers opinions are and what they base them on.

[MichaelRousseau]

Quote

You both might want to consider actually researching the benefits. I actually DID upgrade multiple systems to Windows 8 now. Each of them are quicker, use less memory, and more stable now than before. Well worth the money IMHO.

Couldn't agree more on every point.

[EinoAnttila]

I don't give a rats ass about Windows 7 - I think it's a bloated, over-chromed and ugly OS that sure, is a Windows but definitely not for me. I hate the Start Menu and thank god it's gone in Windows 8.

Then again, I absolutely LOVE Windows 8. It's as if they completely read all my wishes an OS should be like - look like, act like and work like.

I absolutely adore the Modern UI and the modern apps the UI enables. I love the Windows Store, and how easy and super quick it is to install AND uninstall apps. I love the fact that you can try out basically every single app for free and most of them are in fact, free. Almost every single app that's actually well made - yes, there are plenty of them, more than I've ever used in a Desktop Windows environment in my life - is more beautiful and enjoyable, more immersive experience to use than a single desktop application in any OS to date.

The social and connectivity integration in Windows 8 is the best any OS has offered out of the box and works gloriously. The mail app, for a "normal person's use" such as me, it works great. I have all my three mails lined up and can see new mails in a glimpse. No more browsing Gmail, and horrible corporate mail-OSses, thank god. And no more horrible, almost impossible to setup UIs on Desktop-mail programs.

I almost never use the Desktop on Windows 8, and I'm loving it just because I don't have to. I love the fact that everything is clean, clear, minimalistic, and most of all -- full screen. Full focus, full work-flow, full on fun.

And, even if you absolutely hated the Modern UI and loved Windows 7, you can always completely hide the Start Screen by simple tweaks, get yourself a better Start Menu there ever was, get that horrible Aero-look back and just enjoy a faster, less of a resource-hog, more secure Windows 7.

[pcwreader2011]

I've upgraded for $14.99. Certain University departments give away Windows 8 licenses to their students. Newegg just offered a Win 8 upgrade for $29.99 after $40 MIR. There have been lots of places to (legally) get it cheaper than $40. The Start Menu is simply an updated Quick Launch bar but with live tiles and easily customizable. At its core is Win 7 with extras like file encryption (BitLocker) and safe backup (File History) and integration with Xbox music (much better than iTunes) and Xbox games. Can't wait for Verizon to get a decent Win 8 phone to match. Once you wrap your head around the dual interface, it's a breeze to navigate.

[MKZ1945]

Quote

Mr Chacos stated: I dig it. You might not, and as I said, Windows 8 is far from a must-have upgrade for Windows 7 users. If you're at all inquisitive about the operating system, however, sating your curiosity for $40 makes more fiscal sense than doing it for $200—especially considering Windows 8's divisive reception. You could always dual-boot Windows 8 alongside Windows 7 if you're scared of diving in whole-hog.

Be careful with this advice about the dual boot setup. You can install Windows 8 in dual-boot mode, but this $40.00 version is and UPGRADE. You will be losing the use of an operating system on your computer, and if you only have one version (XP through Win 7), you will lose that version. Microsoft will deactivate the serial number of whatever version of Windows you are currently running.

I’ve said it before in other posts on this site, but I’ll repeat it again here. NOBODY NEEDS TO UGRADE TO WINDOWS 8. If you are currently running only Windows 7 I would advise you not to, but that’s my advice. If you’re running Vista, it is probably a good trade in. If your running XP it’s losing MS support soon anyway but make sure your machine meets Windows 8 requirements.

[waldojim]

JeffreyClinard, on 29 January 2013 - 02:03 PM, said:

Quote

This is an opportunity to use and learn a new MS OS for cheap! How could that be a bad deal?

You lose DVD and Blu-Ray. Windows Live doesn't translate correctly, so if you are playing anything that uses it to save games, you'll lose your game saves.

I did not lose DVD playback, as WMC was free for those of us upgrading. Windows Live has been released for Windows 8 now, and works just fine, and Blu-Ray was NEVER supported directly. I still use Make MKV for that (or ArcSoft).

[EinoAnttila]

Quote

NOBODY NEEDS TO UGRADE TO WINDOWS 8.

Nobody needs anything but in the way you mean it, you're just plain wrong. Read my post above, your "nobody" is simply not correct.

[BradChacos]

Quote

Be careful with this advice about the dual boot setup. You can install Windows 8 in dual-boot mode, but this $40.00 version is and UPGRADE. You will be losing the use of an operating system on your computer, and if you only have one version (XP through Win 7), you will lose that version. Microsoft will deactivate the serial number of whatever version of Windows you are currently running.

You, sir or madam, are totally correct. I have removed the erroneous sentence in the article. Thanks for keeping me on my toes!

[Greywoof]

Quote

I don't give a rats ass about Windows 7 - I think it's a bloated, over-chromed and ugly OS that sure, is a Windows but definitely not for me. I hate the Start Menu and thank god it's gone in Windows 8. Then again, I absolutely LOVE Windows 8. It's as if they completely read all my wishes an OS should be like - look like, act like and work like. I absolutely adore the Modern UI and the modern apps the UI enables. I love the Windows Store, and how easy and super quick it is to install AND uninstall apps. I love the fact that you can try out basically every single app for free and most of them are in fact, free. Almost every single app that's actually well made - yes, there are plenty of them, more than I've ever used in a Desktop Windows environment in my life - is more beautiful and enjoyable, more immersive experience to use than a single desktop application in any OS to date. The social and connectivity integration in Windows 8 is the best any OS has offered out of the box and works gloriously. The mail app, for a "normal person's use" such as me, it works great. I have all my three mails lined up and can see new mails in a glimpse. No more browsing Gmail, and horrible corporate mail-OSses, thank god. And no more horrible, almost impossible to setup UIs on Desktop-mail programs. I almost never use the Desktop on Windows 8, and I'm loving it just because I don't have to. I love the fact that everything is clean, clear, minimalistic, and most of all -- full screen. Full focus, full work-flow, full on fun. And, even if you absolutely hated the Modern UI and loved Windows 7, you can always completely hide the Start Screen by simple tweaks, get yourself a better Start Menu there ever was, get that horrible Aero-look back and just enjoy a faster, less of a resource-hog, more secure Windows 7.

Spoken like a "toy boy" who doesn't know what real work is on a computer.

[waldojim]

Greywoof, on 29 January 2013 - 06:32 PM, said:

Spoken like a "toy boy" who doesn't know what real work is on a computer.

So, everyone has to use a computer the same way you do?

[JeffreyClinard]

What is your fix for repairing all my Batman: Arkham City games that were destroyed (as well as all my other Windows Live Games) ?

Quote

JeffreyClinard said
This is an opportunity to use and learn a new MS OS for cheap! How could that be a bad deal? You lose DVD and Blu-Ray. Windows Live doesn't translate correctly, so if you are playing anything that uses it to save games, you'll lose your game saves. Until tomorrow you can get WMC free, which provides DVD playback. Windows has never natively supported Blu-Ray playback. Besides, most computers come with a DVD utility, and system builders like myself get the apps free when we buy optical drives. Easy workaround.

[compnovo]

JeffreyClinard, on 29 January 2013 - 07:19 PM, said:

What is your fix for repairing all my Batman: Arkham City games that were destroyed (as well as all my other Windows Live Games) ?

Quote

JeffreyClinard said
This is an opportunity to use and learn a new MS OS for cheap! How could that be a bad deal? You lose DVD and Blu-Ray. Windows Live doesn't translate correctly, so if you are playing anything that uses it to save games, you'll lose your game saves. Until tomorrow you can get WMC free, which provides DVD playback. Windows has never natively supported Blu-Ray playback. Besides, most computers come with a DVD utility, and system builders like myself get the apps free when we buy optical drives. Easy workaround.

I didn't lose any of my Batman: Arkham City game. I did a clean install and all I had to do was re-install Steam and download the game, and I was able to pick up where I left off.

Edit: Did you install Windows 8, and if so did you back up your documents first? The Batman save games and other files are in the document folder (I just double-checked). One other step in my install process is to copy/paste the saved documents back into the C drive library.

This post has been edited by compnovo: 29 January 2013 - 08:01 PM