New Vaio models forced with Windows 8

Now that these new models are available on the site Sony Store from US, I can not choose the OS Windows 7 pre-installed from the factory. I was this close to purchase the S15 before Christmas.
Windows 8 is mainly meant for touchscreen purposes and has such a horrible interface and I definitely don't want that! Damn it, I want to do what I want.

Maybe it's too soon that I said this, but hopefully in a matter of time they will give us the option to choose between Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Sony VAIO Laptops | Configure & Build Custom Ultrabook, Laptop, Computer PCs | Sony Store USA

 

Win7 laptops are in clearance now

Clearance VAIO Laptop Computers | Sony Store USA

 

If you have tested the Windows 8,you will be impressed by the speed

PS:Using Windows 8 Preview

 

This. Windows 8 desktop mode beats Windows 7.

 

There is this: Welcome to Classic Shell if you want the start menu really badly. Works fine for me. Otherwise, you soon get used to the Metro interface. At any time, "windows key + D" will get you to the desktop.

 

The speed is the last thing that concerns me. The most important thing to me is using your desktop at all times.

 

Sorry but I don't want a third party software controlling the OS. Looks like I'm still stuck on my current Windows XP.

 

This is such a departure from Sony's previous policy of letting you buy outdated versions of Windows instead of the current one, like how the Z2 was offered with your choice of Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP...

...oh wait. They didn't do that.

 

Microsoft controls these things. You'll probably see some Windows 7 pro options pop up at some point. But Sony can't just keep shipping Windows 7 home because they feel like it.....

 

Looks like the S13A is now only available with 12 GB RAM, SSDs, and i7 CPU? Strange.

 

No offense, but why would you use an OS that is 9 years out of date because you don't want to a thin launcher program that takes you to a W7 type desktop with the push of a button then is gone from the process? That gives me the reason TO get W8, not to go ancient in protest. Just MO, of course.

 

Seems to change every day: SVZ13

Here's a strange one: you get to this site with S models by going to the SVZ site! Of course, there are no SVZs being sold. This company is just plain weird.

 

Funny

Considering the lack of permanent desktop mode, perhaps MS should offer a downgrade option as well (-40$?) http://forum.notebookreview.com/images/smilies/rolleyes2.gif

 

Use desktop programs and there's no "lack of permanent desktop mode." Would you say Windows 7 lacked a permanent desktop mode if it booted up with the start menu open instead of closed? That's functionally all Win8 is doing. Boot up, then either click on "desktop" or click on a desktop program, and you're in the desktop. Use desktop programs instead of start screen apps and you stay in the desktop. No problem, no sweat, and it's faster and more stable than Windows 7.

 

If you set any desktop program to run at startup, you'll get taken to the desktop on boot up. Neat trick, if you are that fussy.

I'm getting a strong feeling of deja vu. We've had these gripes every time a new OS has been released, as far back as I can remember. Even the much maligned Vista was simply ahead of the hardware - run it on a modern PC and its not all that bad. Ok, new things take a little bit of getting used to, but you either adapt, or find workarounds like the Classic Shell.

 

Whats diffrent except the operating system on theese new S series?
Seems like the battery time is shorter. Only says 3:45 now and befor it said 4-6h
Have they just changed the way the messure or is it really worse battery time now?

 

Well said - and informative to we the unindoctrineated. Coupla questions:

1) How much faster is 8 on your F? Noticeable like going to an SSD from HDD or just very subtle?

2) I have found W7 to be nearly faultless (in terms of freezes, BSODs, etc) in three years and some 15 computers of use. How can 8 be more stable than that?

3) Any other issues, pro or con, in upgrading - not the process itself, but result of using W8 instead of 7?

My thinly veiled concern: is it worth it to go to W8 on, say a Z2 or Z1, especially if you have to pay retail?

 

I'm going to ignore the "we the unindoctrinated" comment and just answer you seriously.

I didn't install the beta versions of Win 8 as my primary OS. Just ran it on VMWare so I can't do a true back-to-back comparison myself. But other sites all agree; once it's installed as your primary OS, it's noticably faster than Windows 7. Probably not the HUGE improvement that getting a SSD is, but on the other hand, it's not something you need benchmarking software to notice.

Considering that an electronic version from Microsoft costs $39, I think the upgrade is probably worth it...particularly if you've dropped $2000ish for a nice laptop. The one exception is the Z2, where I've heard some people say it doesn't play nice with the PMD.

One big change in upgrading will be the replacement of the Windows Live packaged software with metro-style apps. On one hand, the Windows Live software had plenty of room for improvement. On the other hand, if you use it and want a desktop program for checking email or managing pictures instead of a start screen app, and you don't want to consider third-party options like Thunderbird or Picasa, then don't upgrade.

 

lovelaptops: I've been running the release preview on my Z1 for a while now (as my main OS - bare metal install). I like it a lot. I've got used to the idea of pressing one key combination after every boot to get to the desktop.

Here are the issues I have noticed in Windows 8 Release Preview (note: these may have been fixed in the RTM - I'm very busy right now and can't spare the time to install the RTM).

1. Booting is faster, but there are issues with the hybrid graphics that us VPCZ1 owners are stuck with. Everything works after a restart, but the startup (after a shutdown) tends to stay in the mode that it was shut down in. I.e. if you shut down in speed mode, when you start up, you'll be in speed mode, and you'll stay in it until you restart. Probably something to do with the 'fast start' feature only loading the driver that was in use at the time.

2. SD card reader is buggy. The Windows 8 driver doesn't work. If you force install the Sony driver that is for the Z1, the SD card works, but then you start having issues like getting weird messages during shutdown with Windows logon saying 'there is no device loaded in drive whatever' every time you use a USB storage device and remove it (properly) before shutting down.

3. Wifi really doesn't like unsecured access points. Very difficult to connect to these. Secured wifi works fine, but public hotspots etc. give trouble, at least for me.

4. You miss the start menu when you have to go geeky - like starting a command prompt as administrator. Installing unsigned drivers is a PITA - just figuring out how to restart without signed driver enforcement will make your head hurt, but that's not something you do very often.

Otherwise, things are great. The OS is responsive and stable. I don't miss Windows 7 one bit, apart from the things I've mentioned above. And the old classic Windows games (Solitaire, et. al), although there are ways to use the ones from Windows 7 on Windows 8. You'll love the greatly enhanced Task Manager and little things like file copy operations showing a speed graph.

 

Latest Pokki beta includes a Windows 8 Start menu replacement and options to avoid Metro | The Verge

Install this for free if you're missing the Start Menu. It provides an "enhanced start menu". It will also boot you directly into the Desktop bypassing Metro.

 

Looks interesting. Is there a full download for offline installation? I want to download it at one location (work) and install it at another (home).

 

Thank you for actually not ignoring my entirely serious "unindoctrinated" questions, but instead honoring them by providing your knowledge to those of us who are inexperienced - or "unindoctrinated" - in Windows 8. I never thought of this forum as being restricted to only people who have used the product under discussion. Are we ok on this now?

 

Thank you for so many helpful insights. I have to say, at first blush it sounds like there are still quite a few bugs to get worked out, though I guess you're saying the positives outweigh the negatives and there are perhaps workarounds for some issues. It appears from what I've read that MS is trying to change the paradigm of the UI in an attempt to meld it from the PC to the tablet to the smartphones. Without having Apple-like control over all the hardware and most of the applications software, I think this is a very ambitious though laudable effort. I guess I show my age by saying that I wish Windows 8 would just make everything better, nothing worse, and everything painless to transition to the way the Vista-to-W7 transition went. In any event it's exciting to be participating in what I think is the most significant change and progression in the way technology serves our lives since the mainstreaming of the graphical user interface coincided with the exponential growth of microprocessing power in the late 80s.

I'm very grateful to you pioneers helping the more skittish among us.

 

If you want to enter a fast "geek mode" use Win + X shortcut. It's awesome and you can edit it manually or with this program. The site also has some other fancy and useful tools.

You're welcome

 

Thanks. I love it.