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HP brings Windows 7 back 'due to popular demand' as buyers shun Windows 8

theinquirer.net

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Re: HP brings Windows 7 back 'due to popular demand' as buyers shun Windows 8

#21

Post by theg2 »

Innercode wrote: post #6
TrainedMonkey wrote: post #2

I really do not understand why we must have one size fits all operating system in the first place. Some things work better for mobile (metro, ios, android), and some work better for desktop/laptop Windows, OS X, Linux. Why must we try to make them the same? I would argue a set of well defined junction points like Apple did with airplay in order to share content between mobile and desktop segments is a way more elegan…

They could have a one sized fits all operating system, however they need to tailor the interface to each type of device. Using a mouse on a "touch" interface is a terrible experience, same as using touch in a mouse environment. I have not tried Windows 8 update, however first impressions have done the damage to Windows 8 already.

I use Win8 daily and have no issue using a mouse or my fingers, actually the mouse is far more accurate and faster so I fail to understand your statement.

Re: HP brings Windows 7 back 'due to popular demand' as buyers shun Windows 8

#22

Post by adamors »

increment_i wrote: post #17
adamors wrote: post #4

Windows 8 is noticeably faster, has nice improvements all around and it's probably the first Windows that looks aesthetic. People are afraid of change, simple as that.

>"People are afraid of change, simple as that." I'd counter that with "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." I spent a few days with Win 8 and I've never seen a more unintuitive UI experience in my entire life. The frustration of having to re-learn simple computing tasks far outweighs any aesthetic improvements IMO.

> I'd counter that with "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

But by that logic, every new version of a software is useless because the previous one was good enough to be released, therefore wasn't broken.

EDIT: also, the multi-monitor support in Windows 8 runs circles around the crappy implementation that was in Windows 7.

Re: HP brings Windows 7 back 'due to popular demand' as buyers shun Windows 8

#23

Post by CamperBob2 »

dubfan wrote: post #14
robertfw wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Windows 8 is the most unusable collection of software I have ever had the misfortune of fighting. It is the worst experience I have ever had with an operating system, coming from experience with dos, windows 3.1-95-xp-vista-7, ubuntu, and arch. The built in apps feel like MVPs. The interactions are unintuitive, and many things that should "just work" smack you in the face time and time again. the whole thing feels li…

I've been using Windows 8 on my desktop PC for some time now (primarily used for gaming and entertainment, not development) and for my purposes it's a clear upgrade over 7. Yes, the Metro apps are terrible but you don't ever need to use them. I spend almost all of my time in the desktop, and the few times I need to use the new Start interface, the workflow is exactly the same as Win7 (press Windows key, start typing…

I spend almost all of my time in the desktop, and the few times I need to use the new Start interface, the workflow is exactly the same as Win7 (press Windows key, start typing program name, hit Enter).

I liked this workflow better when it was called DOS.

Re: HP brings Windows 7 back 'due to popular demand' as buyers shun Windows 8

#24

Post by girvo »

Innercode wrote: post #6
TrainedMonkey wrote: post #2

I really do not understand why we must have one size fits all operating system in the first place. Some things work better for mobile (metro, ios, android), and some work better for desktop/laptop Windows, OS X, Linux. Why must we try to make them the same? I would argue a set of well defined junction points like Apple did with airplay in order to share content between mobile and desktop segments is a way more elegan…

They could have a one sized fits all operating system, however they need to tailor the interface to each type of device. Using a mouse on a "touch" interface is a terrible experience, same as using touch in a mouse environment. I have not tried Windows 8 update, however first impressions have done the damage to Windows 8 already.

8.1 really makes it shine, and is amazingly useful in touch or M/K modes. I find the reactions to Windows 8 fascinating; my girlfriend and grandfather both love it (it was awesome to see the gf use windows side by side for once, rather than just maximise and alt-tab, and she worked out the snap mode on her own -- yes I know it's in Windows 7, but she loves the auto width changes with the slider) and they're not particularly tech savvy.

My mother on the other hand is quite adept, and dislikes it. Well, she did, until 8.1, and I configured it to use the desktop as the main interface, and she got used to it. Now she likes it too.

Personally, I haven't used Windows in half a decade, so it's interesting to watch the reactions too it. I think they are moving in the right direction, but need to adjust the desktop story a little.

Re: HP brings Windows 7 back 'due to popular demand' as buyers shun Windows 8

#25

Post by girvo »

AnimalMuppet wrote: post #11
kvb wrote: post #5

Counterpoint: "HP Bringing Back Windows 7 PCs? Not so fast..."[1]. TL;DR: this is a marketing tactic, and HP is actually offering fewer systems with Windows 7 than it was last year. [1] http://www.zdnet.com/hp-bringing-back-windows-7-pcs-not-so-f...

But in Microsoft's vision of 2014, the number of systems being offered with Windows 7 should be zero.

What makes you say that? You have always been able to purchase previous versions for a few years after the release of the latest...

Re: HP brings Windows 7 back 'due to popular demand' as buyers shun Windows 8

#26

Post by psbp »

kogir wrote: post #8

Can't "Back by popular demand" refer to the $150 discount on old systems instead of Windows 7 itself? I'm leaning that direction since I associate snowmen with December holidays. Look at the ad itself: http://www.hp.com/country/us/en/hho/welcome.html

What? "Customize a NEW HP PC with Windows 7 and save up to $150 instantly"

Re: HP brings Windows 7 back 'due to popular demand' as buyers shun Windows 8

#27

Post by BlackDeath3 »

theg2 wrote: post #21
Innercode wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They could have a one sized fits all operating system, however they need to tailor the interface to each type of device. Using a mouse on a "touch" interface is a terrible experience, same as using touch in a mouse environment. I have not tried Windows 8 update, however first impressions have done the damage to Windows 8 already.

I use Win8 daily and have no issue using a mouse or my fingers, actually the mouse is far more accurate and faster so I fail to understand your statement.

You know what would really help with accuracy? If every tile was screen-sized. How could you possibly miss?

Also, the several seconds I've spent trying to open stupid like charms menus and things meant to be swiped with a thumb were not an enjoyable several seconds.

Re: HP brings Windows 7 back 'due to popular demand' as buyers shun Windows 8

#28

Post by adamors »

BlackDeath3 wrote: post #18
dubfan wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been using Windows 8 on my desktop PC for some time now (primarily used for gaming and entertainment, not development) and for my purposes it's a clear upgrade over 7. Yes, the Metro apps are terrible but you don't ever need to use them. I spend almost all of my time in the desktop, and the few times I need to use the new Start interface, the workflow is exactly the same as Win7 (press Windows key, start typing…

This sounds like the same, unconvincing argument I always hear about Windows 8. "It's a bit faster, there are some other minor obscure improvements, and if you just ignore all of the crappy new stuff it's not a big deal!" If boot times are a big issue for you, then I get it. For me, they aren't, so I'm inclined to pass on the update. Perhaps it would work great with a Windows Phone or Surface (I'm tempted to try thos…

> if you just ignore all of the crappy new stuff it's not a big deal

It really isn't a big deal, because you're not being forced to use the Metro apps. You can populate the start menu with regular application shortcuts and you're on your way.

Re: HP brings Windows 7 back 'due to popular demand' as buyers shun Windows 8

#29

Post by contactmatts »

I've been using Windows 8 on my laptop for well over a year, and I quite enjoy it. Especially with Windows 8.1, I just don't see how you can love Windows 7, and at the same time show an extreme displeasure for Windows 8. Have these people even used Windows 8?

IMO, the resistance has more to do with bad Microsoft PR and the anti-MS bandwagon, than flaws in the OS.

Re: HP brings Windows 7 back 'due to popular demand' as buyers shun Windows 8

#30

Post by BlackDeath3 »

adamors wrote: post #28
BlackDeath3 wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This sounds like the same, unconvincing argument I always hear about Windows 8. "It's a bit faster, there are some other minor obscure improvements, and if you just ignore all of the crappy new stuff it's not a big deal!" If boot times are a big issue for you, then I get it. For me, they aren't, so I'm inclined to pass on the update. Perhaps it would work great with a Windows Phone or Surface (I'm tempted to try thos…

> if you just ignore all of the crappy new stuff it's not a big deal It really isn't a big deal, because you're not being forced to use the Metro apps. You can populate the start menu with regular application shortcuts and you're on your way.

So why the hell am I upgrading?
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