Windows 8 must be universally hated, right?

I'm not the only one that thinks that Win 8 sucks hard with KB/Mouse. I mean, you can keep defending it, but the numbers don't lie.

 

I agree, I was frustrated with the W8 on my new laptop. So I switched it out and went back to W7

Mr. Mysterious

 

First of all, "the numbers don't lie" is absolute BS - statistics are easy to spin. Second, what numbers?

No, you're not the only one who dislikes Windows 8 with a mouse and keyboard, all that proves is that people are resistant to change. There are better ways of proving that it's not as suited to mouse and keyboard usage as Windows 7 is. Your dislike of the OS in that regard is of little value to that discussion unless you give some good reasons.

Someone (maybe you) mentioned earlier that the built-in PDF reader uses Metro. If I recall correctly, Windows 7 didn't have a built-in PDF reader and it's as easy to install a non-Metro PDF reader on Windows 8 as it was on Windows 7. If the Metro/Modern UI stuff is part of the argument against Windows 8, there's not much to stand on because it's easy to avoid it entirely with the exception of a single click upon startup. The charms bar and the lack of a start button are definitely more valid discussion points if you're trying to tear down Windows 8's interface.

 

Of course. If someone doesn't like Windows 8, they're a change-averse Luddite.

What numbers? How about the absolutely brutal statistics on Windows 8 sales/usage/adoption? Are you really going to pretend that Windows 8 isn't a flop so far? The statistics don't agree with you, friend.

I've already stated my opinions regarding what's wrong with Windows 8 from a traditional KB/mouse perspective ad nauseam. I'll not bother to repeat them here.

 

Not liking Windows 8 doesn't make you averse to change, but the assertion that many people dislike it is just as likely to prove that they are simply averse to change as it is to prove the Windows 8 is actually worse. It's all a matter of how you read that (unsubstantiated) fact.

Per the article linked in the OP, Windows 8 adoption figures are lower than Windows 7, but also significantly higher than Windows Vista. Since 7 replaced the much-maligned Vista, it's adoption numbers were given a boost from people who wanted to get the hell out of Dodge. In the meantime, that Windows 7 is a very solid OS lowers adoption numbers for Windows 8 since it's not really necessary to move to Windows 8 yet. While there is a very outspoken minority who refuse to adopt Windows 8 because of its interface, I would bet that most non-adopters just don't feel the need to upgrade yet, or are corporations that stick with OSes for an extremely long time because of security, like my dad's company, a very large utility who still use XP exclusively on their business machines.

 

windows 8 has a pretty bad gui, but it at least works properly.

same cannot be said for most msft releases

mediocre! a major improvement!

 

The article linked in the OP doesn't say anything about adoption figures. Win 8's adoption rate is lower than Vista's was at the same point in time. Microsoft Seems On The Verge Of Something Ugly - Seeking Alpha

 

I have to admit it works quite well for me, people hate changes, but the new UI is refreshing.

 

I see that article saying that uptake is lower than Vista's but license sales are similar to 7's, both in respect to the point in development. The suggestion that there's simply a glut of machines on the market seems like it falls short of an adequate explanation, and the source they used for their adoption figures is a broken link according to my browser, so this graph on a second-tier investment site does little to persuade me of these numbers.

Either way, it's still notable that Windows 8 was released only three years after Windows 7, so adoption of a new operating system is hardly necessary for many people. Windows 7, on the other hand, got a huge boost from Vista - it was so bad that a lot of people either jumped ship from Vista as soon as Windows 7 was available (I certainly did) or even skipped Vista entirely, so that their OS (XP) was nearly eight years old when 7 came out.

Either way, we're approaching the point, or may have already reached it, where the discussion goes back and forth with both sides saying the same thing until they're blue in the face. I think Windows 8 is just fine, and I haven't yet gotten the chance to experience it with touch features. When I do get that chance, I'm sure I'll appreciate it even more.

 

You think Windows 8 is just fine. I think blue cars are great. Neither data point is really important in the grand scheme of market trends. Like I said, the numbers don't lie. License sales are irrelevant because Microsoft is essentially the one that dictates license sales. It doesn't mean those licenses are actually making it into computers.

 

"Numbers don't lie" but they don't prove causation either.



Even before Windows 8's release, we knew we were in the biggest collapse of the PC market since, well, probably ever. Recent studies have shown that for a significant number of teens, the smartphone is now their primary internet access device, and the iPad is frequently being used as a mobile computing device in a number of industries (mine included).

As I've said before, you can go out today and buy a new computer with Windows 8 or Windows 7 or OSX. If someone isn't buying a computer AT ALL, it's not because they don't like Windows 8.

 

You so silly. Really, though, the fact that the overall market is declining doesn't really strike me as a reason for Win 8 adoption to be significantly slower than Vista.

 

After getting the ASUS Vivobook s200e I can only use Windows 8 with touch screen now!!! and it shines with it

 

I tend to agree with the above although you could add this nugget to the equation. Perhaps there is enough negative press regarding Windows 8 that certain buyers might not want it. You have 3 groups of people who buy computers:

1) It's new and came with my computer so i'll try it
2) I've heard people say it sucks so i'll pass
3) I'm knowledgeable about computers that I know this version is a step down from what I have so no thank you.

So those who have been swayed should be considered although we won't know the real answers but in general I agree with your consensus that due to the popularity of the iPad and Mobile devices it has had a negative effect on overall PC sales.

And truth be told the iPad has cannibalized Mac sales as well. I read an article sighting that Mac sales are down.

 

Definitely agree with all points here. But, I have to say that while being innovative and properly creative, Microsoft properly fudged W8 up because they felt pressured by the enormous success that Apple was enjoying. And it's not that people are averse to 'change'. I mean, the iPhone was a novel concept (fine, yes...not that novel, you already had palm and blackberry doing it) but people loved it because Apple was innovative enough to turn it into a multimedia device, following after their success with the iPod. Basically, Apple did an AMAZING job with reading where the market was going, addressing those needs, and coming up with a proper, creative, new solution.

Microsoft didn't do any of that. They just reacted to Apple's success and tried to steal some of the limelight.

I'll probably warm up to W8 after my LeapMotion devices comes in.

Mr. Mysterious

 

Here is one truly unhappy Windows 8 user...
North Korean Missile Test Delayed by Windows 8 : The New Yorker

 

Yes, Apple does a much better job seeing/guessing were the market is going vs how Microsoft tends to do things as witness to how the Windows 8 RT and Pro tablets were marketed.

Haha too funny. Maybe they're waiting on Microsoft for their Missile Launch app.

 

But...but...but he uses an iMac .

 

LOL!

Intelligence analysts said that the announcement gave rare insight into the inner workings of North Korea’s missile program, which until last year had been running on Windows 95.

And then also

saying only that it was “working with Windows 8 support to resolve the issue.”

I can imagine how that went, how many people were shot.

 

He's waiting for waiting for Service Pack 1

 

Maybe North Korea could force a Service Pack 2 for Windows 7... and add Start Menu to Windows 8.

 

....or maybe they're still looking for the Start button.

 

He upgraded because Rocket Riot 3D is on the Windows 8 app store!

Rocket Riot 3D app for Windows in the Windows Store

 

Just wanted to reiterate how awfully Windows 8 is doing, nobody buying it, millions driven to the Mac, Redmond collaps....

Windows 8 lifts Microsoft's profit 19% - Apr. 18, 2013

wait nvm.

 

Isn't that the same Broadcaster that claimed that the FBI made an arrest in the Boston bombings?

 

Uhmm, somebody forgot to read the fine print... Hint: The above "rise in profit" was nothing but an accounting trick.

So yes, there is no doubt that Windows 8 has utterly failed in the marketplace.