#windows 8 performance

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Is Windows 8 truly a trend-setter or just another OS with a refurbished user interface (UI)?

Today, Windows 8 has completed one month of its launch but many questions are still unanswered and these are casting shadows on the success of Windows 8 as the next-generation operating system (OS). Prevailing over the existing iOS and Android, OS for mobile devices wouldn’t be a cakewalk for Windows 8 OS and it has to come out with satisfactory user responses, sales performance, favorable reviews and market share. So far, it is observed that mixed reviews and users’ complains have reduced the charm of this Microsoft OS.

The User Interface (UI) of Windows 8 has been its major attraction and area of innovation. But many users have been disappointed with the performance of this UI. However, a group of users has also showered loads of applause for this feature.

Sales projection

Ambiguous sales projection is another concern for the market regarding the new Windows 8 OS. Analysts have come with a variety of sales projections that are overall not working for Microsoft. According to a financial analyst, Windows 8 is expected to deliver a more muted impact on the rising demand for PCs. This might happen because of the confusing UI, deficient enterprise product/services interest and a complicated Windows 8 positioning meant for the tablet segment.

Users’ grievances

The meaning of the Windows 8 positioning used in the preceding paragraph relates to the fact that Windows 8 is being introduced in the market with two versions meant for ARM-based and Intel-based processors respectively. The positioning of these two versions depends upon the type of processor and other relevant products and services.

Both of these versions are developed with different goals and capabilities. Market observers are raising questions about whether this Windows positioning because of the two different versions would create confusion in the marketplace.

Another user has questioned the usability of the so called ‘confusing UI.’ A usability expert in his report says that the interface, previously known as Metro interface suffocates the usability by showing bigger tiles in many colors and hiding the much needed features.

Another analyst from an American marketing research firm has trimmed down the sales expectations for Microsoft from Windows 8 PCs and devices. He had prepared his report on the basis of a case pertaining to manufacturing orders from the makers of relevant products and services in Asia.

This doubt is further strengthened by the fact that Microsoft has not issued any sales figures with an exception to the statement of CEO Steve Ballmer in which he said that more than 4 million copies for Windows 8 upgrade have been sold in the first weekend after Windows 8 launch.

Another user from the United States has narrated his unpleasant experience while trying to upgrade to Windows 8 from a Windows 7 PC that was supposedly compatible to the Windows 8 OS. According to him, he encountered a lot of issues during the process of upgrade. This problem seemed to be a common one while many other users reported similar issues on social networking websites. Repeated system crashes by applications and driver incompatibility are some other issues brought forward by Windows 8 users worldwide.

Conclusion

It has become amply clear from the above discussion that there are some issues that Microsoft needs to be redressed before claiming Windows 8 as the next-generation and a flawless OS. Ambiguous sales figures and users’ comment are focusing on the concerns of the technology giant. On the flipside, Microsoft has successfully met the expectations of many users which is quite evident with the sale of 4 million upgrade copies within very little time. So it can be safely assumed that so far Windows 8 is away from the glory of being a trend setter but if it gets over the above discussed maladies, it is right to call this OS a trend setter.

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Windows 8: The Rebirth of Windows OS

The much awaited Windows 8 is going to be a ‘rebirth’ of Windows family of operating systems, according to Steve Ballmer, the CEO of Microsoft. Emphasizing on the magnitude of new features and enhanced functionalities, Ballmer made this statement at the Seoul Digital Meet in South Korea on 29th May. Built for both desktop and mobile platform, Microsoft has already released a consumer preview of the product. Ballmer predicts Windows 8 to have 500 million users by next year.

What’s so intriguing about Windows 8? Let’s delve into its features that makes Ballmer call its launch a ‘rebirth’:

Windows start-up will be faster than ever!

Reduction in boot time is one of the most prominent changes. Windows 8 has been programmed to save the kernel session of each use into the hard disk. So every time you reboot your computer, the memory of your last session gets partially revived which speeds-up the boot process.

In the traditional boot process, both the user and kernel sessions were shut down, the revival of which consumed time upon every reboot. Reduction in startup time also boosts up the performance of the machine.

Syncing with Cloud!

Syncing all your data, driven by a Microsoft account would be an added benefit of Windows 8. All your documents, photos, videos, contacts, SkyDrive data and also data from third party apps would be auto-synced with cloud through a Microsoft account. All the data can be accessed from any Windows 8 device by logging in to your Microsoft account. The contact list will also be synced with the Facebook and Twitter account, thus importing contact details from the social networking sites. The themes, wallpapers, settings and taskbars will all be available the moment you sign in.

Improved Task Manager

Windows 8 comes with a much sophisticated taskbar than its predecessors both in terms of look and functionality. The popping up of the task manager can be annoying for most users. But if you are a techie who’s interested in troubleshooting system issues, you will love the new task manager. It gives you detailed information about the processor and memory usage, the history of app usage besides allowing you to tweak startup. You can choose to turn off the apps that you do not want running at the time of booting, without having to go to the ‘msconfig’ command.

Improved Windows Explorer

Microsoft has redesigned the primitive Windows explorer in its new OS. It has the native ISO mounted on it, a new Office-style ribbon and the old folder up is back as well. The left hand side of the title bar resides a trendy ‘quick access’ toolbar. This will enable quick access to the favorite buttons from the ribbon.

 Upgraded ‘Copy’ Function

File management has been greatly improved in Windows 8. The best example is the enhanced file copy function. Copying, moving, renaming and deleting a file has been made more user-friendly than before. All the copy and move processes will now be seen in the same dialog box. Users have been granted the provision to pause and resume the copy processes individually.

The new function will also give users graphical data on the remaining time for copying, transfer speeds and the amount of data left to be copied. Needless to say, this widely popular function has got a necessary overhaul. May be it’s time to bid goodbye to third-party copy tools like Teracopy.

The Windows App Store

Following the rivals Apple and Google, Microsoft has come with its own app store this time. Built-in to Windows 8, it consists of tiles tailored to different categories and featured apps. The store has new apps for tablets and also those of the traditional desktops. The consumer preview consists of limited apps, mostly free which would soon be increased once the main edition is released. There would be lots of free as well as paid apps available. You can try the apps before buying them. This is a universal forum where you access apps that are general as well as specific to the interface and platform you use.

Equipped with lot of new apps and features, Windows 8 is ready to hit the market. The consumer preview has received positive reviews and still undergoing development. With the touch interface being the primary focus, tablet users have a lot to look forward to. Nevertheless, desktop computing will receive a rejuvenating boost.

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Windows 8 to add to your convenience

Post Windows 8 Developers Preview, it is clear that Microsoft is all set to redefine the Windows experience through Windows 8. With tablets becoming increasingly popular over traditional computers, Microsoft is taking its operating system to work on the mobile space. Windows 8 promises lot of new features for both home and business users. The security and manageability features would be the USP of the new product.

Windows 8 has received positive reviews and is most likely to revolutionize desktop computing. Let’s take a look at the new features that would benefit both home and business users

The Refreshing Tile-based Desktop!

The home screen that users will see after logging in will consist of a collage of tiles!  Windows will have a new tile-based user interface, named the Metro! Designed specifically for tablets, this user interface will open up applications upon tapping. You can customize the grid as per your convenience by re-arranging the tiles.

What is more interesting is that these apps can give you information without you having to run them. This will save the computer’s memory. If you are using a tablet, this will reduce the battery consumption. Similarly, a glance over the tiles would give you new e-mails and social networking notifications.

Windows To Go!

Windows To Go is a feature that allows users to boot the complete operating system with settings, files and applications into a USB flash drive. This USB drive can then be plugged-in to a pre-installed Windows 8 machine to load all the necessary data. If a machine is infected by virus, it can be revived once again with the USB drive containing the last saved settings. Professionals can bring back work from workplace with the pen drive without carrying a laptop.

Business enterprises that require giving its employees access to systems and software but are not willing to give complete network permissions can use Windows To Go. This feature will allow you to boot Windows 8 on to a Windows 7 machine.

Reduced Boot time and Better Performance

Windows 8 boots up much faster than any of its predecessors. This significant improvement is due to the resources being allocated efficiently. The kernel in Windows 8 goes into sleep mode every time you shut down the machine, such that it doesn’t stop completely. Hence, when you switch on the machine, the memory of your last session gets partially revived and this makes the process faster.

The contributing factor towards better performance is that the apps don’t run in the background consuming the RAM and other system resources while you are not using them. They run only when you are working on them.

Secure Boot

Attack from virus and malware have always been a perennial threat to PCs. Many a times malware enter the machine during start-up even before Windows launches its built-in and third party software for protection. To avoid this intrusion, Secure Boot has been designed. It is an application that does not allow components without an authorized security certificate to launch. Microsoft has ensured that all its Windows 8 products reaches end-users with the Secure Boot turned on. PC users can turn it off but not those who are using tablets.

Improved file management

The widely popular function of copying files has been enhanced in Windows 8. The operating system comes with new tools to manage files that make professional usage more convenient.  There is an interface box which gives you a complete view of the copy jobs that are running, the sources and destinations of each job with their progress. One more tool has been designed to manage each job separately. You can pause, resume and cancel each and every copy job individually.

Windows 8 brings with it loads of features, applications and tools for a redefined computing experience. With mobile devices being a new target, desktop users need not feel left behind. Traditional computing devices with Windows 8 will also have lot of features to ease up the day-to-day computing of different types of users.