Windows 8 Release Preview ready for download

The new non-Aero interface is interesting, I find it interesting how they are very delibaretly going in the opposite direction to Apple in their interfaces... Don't like the Calendar app - try Windows 8!

So if I understand corrently it's Metro vs. Chrome OS?

I wonder what will happen with the server version, surely that can't become Metro too?

It's easy to assume Microsoft is basing decisions on what Apple is doing but I don't think Apple's design choices have any bearing on the new Windows8 interface. I can definitely see why it's easy to assume the connection because of Microsoft's "embrace and extend" motto and their one-step-behind lime of products like Zune, Windows Phone, etc. This time I really think they're thinking independently. It seems as though they've taken note of all the criticisms of Aero and tweaked it to be better and unique to Microsoft. If they've taken cues from anywhere I think it's Google and the minimalist web in general. The new UI chrome is very reminiscent of Google's design across all their products. It's very minimal, functional, and focuses more on readability and utility than what they've come up with n the past. Metro itself is a very cool idea that I really haven't seen from their competitors in any form.

I think you're right that they're deliberately going in a certain direction but I don't think Apple is playing as big a role in that decision as you imply. Despite Apple's growth and popularity Microsoft is still by far the biggest player in the OS market. Because of that I would doubt that they're as concerned with what Apple is doing on the desktop front and more interested in taking cues from them in the mobile device space.

I'm actually a huge Apple fanboy but I have to say the new Windows desktop is really beautiful! I haven't used a PC in years but I'd be happy to look at the New Windows non-Metro desktop all day. Microsoft is still making a lot of mistakes in cluttering their UI with buttons and ribbons and the like but hopefully the next step is to continue their momentum with the new Windows8 UI chrome and tackle the button/ribbon mess next.

Oh boy, here comes the obligatory HN-contrarianism and knee-jerk Microsoft bashing. I dislike Microsoft, in particular, Windows, as much as the next guy but you can't just throw out blanket statements like that with nothing to support them.

Why will this be such a flop? Are you maybe exaggerating? If it is because of the fundamental changes you mention? Which ones in particular and how are they not proven to be better?

I'm not defending Windows8 at all. Like I said, I'm no Microsoft fan myself but even I can give them credit for some of the things they're doing in Windows8. I think it'd be far more constructive to give us some specifics so that we can have a real discussion rather than throwing out generalizations that'll turn this into another religious debate.