Why do I like Windows 8 so much?

Why do I like Windows 8 so much? Some thoughts on that thing that’s called Windows 8.

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Following my
rage-full experience with the latest Windows 8 Pro Tablet, I had some time to think about why I like Windows 8. I do like it - it’s fast, and works well, and does everything I want. I can’t stand it on a tablet however - it simply doesn’t work as a thing. Or rather, it does basically work, but it’s a frustrating experience.

This had me thinking - why do I like Windows 8? It then occurred to me that it’s not that I
like Windows 8 so much it’s more that I don’t dislike it. It’s like a faster version of Windows 7, with some minor tweaks. Sure, the Metro (Ok, non-metro, you know what I mean) is intrusive - certainly nothing more intrusive on my dual 27” screen set up anyway - but everything else is quick, and it just works.

Here’s the thing though - I think the reason I like it is due to the way I use my machine, and not really down to Windows 8’s new features. I like it in spite of itself, not
because of it. I’ll explain some more.

I’m the kind of user that works & performs through search, and from pinned common documents. So, if I want a specific app, I hit the Windows key, and start typing the name of what I’m looking for. Exactly the same in Windows 7 or Windows 8 - from a results perspective. Sure, in Windows 8 you get the LOUD MENU IN YOUR FACE while you’re doing it, but I can ignore that.

Pinned docs on Task-bar icons work in the same way too.

So what we have is an OS that I use the same as Windows 7, and is a bit faster. No wonder I like it. Put it on something that it’s been tweaked for though - like a Windows 8 tablet - and I can’t stand it. It’s frustrating and a master of none of the environments it’s designed for.

What I worked out today then was that I like Windows 8 because it works like Windows 7 in pretty much any environment I use it in, only a bit quicker. In fact, I have a laptop at home that’s one of the HP TouchPads designed for Windows XP touch (I think). Remember when that was launched all the way back in 2001?

Tablet could prove the right medicine for ailing PC sales

The real odd thing is that that HP unit, running Windows 7, and with some touch facilities via a pen, is a lot easier to use and less frustrating than Windows 8 on a ‘proper’ touch device. Go figure. That’s hardly progress is it?

Microsoft of course has been
defending its position on Windows 8 - exactly like it did with Vista. Hopefully they’ll make it right in the end.


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