General Chat

Advice needed on how easy it is to use Windows 8.

I need a puter and most have W8 on them .


No stupid answers please.

That is a really difficult one to answer because it depends on the individual so much and as with any new operating system it will involve a learning curve.
Out of the box it looks and acts very differently compared to previous versions - gone is the familiar Start button/menu.
However, the good news is that it can be set up to look and feel very similar to Windows 7 or even XP.

We bought a laptop with windows 8 last month and it was quite a shock how different it was at first. We are persevering and getting more familiar with it now. We just google to find out how to do some things.......eg switching it off!!

Errol.
At the moment I have XP on desktop.but need a laptop now.

I have had the XP 10 yrs now and ok with this but I have ben told it's hard to use and it took my friend 3 months to find her way round it.+ have never even used 7 or 8.

Or could I try downloading windows 7 on the desktop

So would I need someone to set windows 8 up for me to look like XP Please.
I have a chap that would set it up for me..

Thanks
Errol.

It's totally different.

I had a look and didn't like it at all :-(

A few people I know have it (no choice if you buy a new computer). The first week (and more) was a nightmare for them, but now they really like it.

I'm going to a class at the end of the month...... might take a tape recorder as well as notepaper!

One thing I definitely don't like (this is what I was told) ~ your email will be extremely difficult to get; you must use the microsoft one (Outlook) which replaces Hotmail. So if you have something like Bigpond or Optus (in Oz) you have to mess around a LOT, or contact everyone in your address book (if you can find it) to notify them of your new email address.

Can you not get google mail either on W8? Do you mean you have to use windows mail?

Dunno Ann ~ ask me after 30th April lol

:-(

You can access gmail on Windows 8 because it is webmail (unless you really want to use an email client).

Sue it involves installing other (free) software but yes it can be done.

A lot of people are finding this problem because they have held on to XP for as long as possible but are now finding that their equipment needs replacing which means they, generally, have to go for Windows 8 (although there are other operating systems available).

I think I need to read all about windows 7 and 8 to see which is the easiest to use for me..also Might visit a pc store just to listen to salesman talking about windows 7 and 8.No intention of buying until I am satisfied that I understand the good or bad about both versions of windows.

Thank for all your advice.

Sue

You may find it a little tricky to buy a system with Windows 7 now - they can be found but you really have to track them down

If you can, wait until the summer.

Microsoft are releasing " WIndows 8.1" aka Blue - a free public beta release is due soon.

8.1 will have
(a) some kind of start button
(b) the ability to start in trad desktop mode
(c) the option to use "apps" as and when you wish.
Otherwise there are third part programs which will do the same thing.

Win8 can be great on a mobile or tablet or (very expensive) surface table but is a flop on desktop machines and laptops (unless they have touch sensitive screens).

Hence the changes.

Rollo do you think, like me, that Microsoft shot themselves in the foot somewhat?
Very out of touch with a large number of their users.

Rollo and Errol.

Thanks for the advise about waituing until summer as I am just having a good look and need to understand all the workings before I buy.

Errol Your always Helpful where advice is needed.

Thanks

Sue <3 <3

I ended up having to buy a new laptop, and thus got landed with Windows 8.

I'm a complete technoplonker and absolutely hate change, but so far am not finding Windows 8 problematic.

I had Windows Vista before.

I do admit to ignoring that fancy start screen /metro interface, and heading straight for the good old fashioned desktop set up I'm used to ( you just click on the desktop tile on the start up page).

I just pin the the things I use most, google chrome, IE10, skype, word, file explorer etc to the task bar for easy access.

If I do get stuck, I hit the windows key which takes me back to the Start up page, I click on the desk top tile, and I'm back in business again.

I think what I'm trying to say is that I was totally panicked because everyone kept saying windows 8 is so different, but I was able to get going with it straight away, and although I did buy an idiot's guide to it, have scarcely needed to consult it.

So if a numbskull like me can use it, I imagine just about anyone can.

As for switching it off, control, alt and delete still works, you just have to click on the power button(bottom right hand corner of the page that comes up, to find the shut down option). Or you use the charm bar, but that's too novel for me, so I don't bother with it at the moment.

Have not had any trouble with email access (googlemail for work, but I check it from home, and hotmail for my personal use)

Sue thank you for your kind words.

Errol They are true as a lot of people will verify.

Errol.

I can find Windows 7 laptops but the cheapest is £600 to £1,500 and then on top of that is insurance.

Sue

When you say insurance do you mean extended warranty?

As for your kind words, I think I often irritate a lot of people lol

Will you be looking for a full size laptop?

look on pc world refurbished page lots of won 7 on there
i use windows 8 and soon got used to it easy to switch to desktop view if you prefer to work that way

Yes it's extended warranty.

Yes looking for a full size lappy.


Well you irritate some people but surely not when you giving good advise about PC's.



Terryj..
I have looked at PC World and found quite a few but needed Errol and Rollo's advise forst.

Thanks
Sue