Edit: Here we go, a picture - http://i.imgur.com/3mF7a.jpg

LOL that image is epic.

Aero wasn't a waste of resources as much as it was a waste of screen space. Why did the top menu have to have like 10 pixels of clear? Or the start menu, which could have easily 3/4 the size with the same sized UI elements. I'm glad aero is gone, it's actually the thing I like the most about Windows 8. Especially in explorer, you have so much more screen space. I don't mind booting to start -- here is an example from reddit: http://i.imgur.com/FdD06.png Aside from the ugly background he chose, I think it looks great. In fact I think it's better than booting to the desktop because you're getting a lot more information from the live tiles and whatnot and you can immediately start typing to perform a search. I didn't like the new start menu at first, I posted that I disliked it here on guru3d quite a few times, but after just forcing myself to get used to it I have no problem using it at all anymore. I can perform any task just as quickly as I can under Windows 7. I still have a couple issues with the OS, but I'm learning more and more tricks each day about it. For instance if you right click the bottom left hand corner (where normally the start button is) and you get easy access to various system settings. You can even add things to this list like shut down/restart, etc.

Another start button alternative http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/158666-start-is-back-beta-3/

(...) I still have a couple issues with the OS, but I'm learning more and more tricks each day about it. For instance if you right click the bottom left hand corner (where normally the start button is) and you get easy access to various system settings. You can even add things to this list like shut down/restart, etc.

Oh, I didn't know about that bottom-left right-click; thanks. btw, you can get the same with Win+X Man, in Win8 buttons Win, Win+C, Win+W, Win+F, Win+Q, Win+D, Win+E, Win+X, and Alt+F4 on desktop are like cheat codes 🙂

Oh, I didn't know about that bottom-left right-click; thanks. btw, you can get the same with Win+X Man, in Win8 buttons Win, Win+C, Win+W, Win+F, Win+Q, Win+D, Win+E, Win+X, and Alt+F4 on desktop are like cheat codes 🙂

You forgot one win+i 🙂

You forgot one win+i 🙂

Oh, I haven't forgotten about it. I just didn't know it. Thanks! 🙂

Then, of course, there's the small matter of the Windows 8 WEI, which can make even a high-end rig look totally bog-standard. 😉 Many people scoff at this value, but there are a few among us who will receive a nasty surprise when Windows 8 rates their pride and joy. Like this guy for example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVF8xeQq4lU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69RllXjCL6o&playnext=1&list=PLsjHpMxTed134HzKFWwWOypH_MrwKVF3B&feature=results_video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct-Fm4hYIck&playnext=1&list=PLE1CB68D7ED7AEE89&feature=results_video

Hi Speed Weed, This made my day Hitler is informed about nvidia geforce gtx 680 kepler it was so f..king funny i piss'ed my self. I play'ed around with windows 8 pro x64, for about 4 days it's not that bad at all. Come on people stop arguing.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I like the new start menu and keyboard shortcuts more than the windows 7 environment. At first everything sort of pissed me off, but once I started learning I started liking it more and more. Some developers at my work agree with me.

I think everyone that has used the thing and gotten used to it agrees with you. I wasn't fond at all, at first, eventually I got used to it. I still don't think it's as significant as an upgrade as Windows 7 is, definitely sidegradeish, but for $40 whatever.

I'd say that's pretty accurate overall. I mean, the $40 cost is hard to justify if you're 100% happy with Win7. If you just like screwing with something "new"....$40 isn't really a lot of money. It doesn't really feel like an upgrade to me....just a new UI on top of the same old thing.

I'd be under 10sec if it wasn't for my NIC...

Cold boot with SSD is faster than windows 7 on my laptop by 1-2 seconds.

In my case the difference is greater. With Win7 it was quite alright, but in Win8 it may be <10s from power to desktop (perhaps due to UEFI support in my lappy).

It's confusing as h'ell. For instance, when I look at a picture it starts in fullscreen, and I see nothing on how to go to the next picture. And when I alt+f4 out of the program I'm placed to the metro screen even though I was the last time in windows explorer. If feels quicker than Win7 even though I'm running it on a slower harddrive but usability isn't exactly great. And there is still no way to change the background color in windows explorer, the white is killing me. At least this is possible in win7 by choosing the classic theme. :bang:

What you're saying is that you can install Windows 7, skip putting in the key, buy and install the Windows 8 upgrade, and get a full version of Windows 8 for only $40? I don't understand why Microsoft would allow themselves to be cheated like that.

It's a clear overlook. However I think they've might accepted that for the end-user convenience. Also, it will account for only a very small fraction of sales and might improve the initial WinRT adoption.

How does Windows 8 compare with Windows 7 with regards to older machines, weaker hardware? I have a spare Sony Vaio laptop having a single core 1.3GHz cpu & 2Gb of ram. It's slightly slow & sluggish on Windows 7. Would 8 run better or would it better sticking with Windows 7? Thanks guys.

I have Win8 Consumer Preview running on Atom N270-powered netbook and it works fine, except for some issues with resolution - it required 1366x768 / more for proper Metro support (can bu usually done with modded drivers). Performance-wise, it's faster than Win7, even with Aero disabled.