Why This Mac User Is Excited About Windows 8

There's been a lot of chatter about Windows 8 in the last two weeks, even though Microsoft hasn't yet announced the official release date of their next OS (current tech insider information predicts a Q4 2012 release). If you're wondering what all the hoopla is all about (and even this Mac user is feeling anticipation after seeing some of the features) then you should read on for all the major changes on the horizon...

The main reason why people are talking about Windows 8 is that this September, a developer preview was released. This allows people working on software for PCs to check out and work with the newest version of the Windows operating system.

1. Metro UI: This is probably the most talked about feature of Windows 8. If you've used a Windows 7 phone, then this will be very familiar. By default, the desktop doesn't load when Windows 8 starts up, the Metro UI does. Once you leave a Metro UI app, it's suspended so it doesn't use up any processing power. It functions like apps do on the iPhone, iPad or Android phones. The Windows 8 Metro UI is aimed more casual and consumer users, making it a lot easier to use, kind of like iOS devices. This doesn't mean that you can't multitask with apps as you're used to. It's just a different way of using the OS, which is enabled by default.

2. Home Screen: This is basically the new way of accessing the Start menu. Your screen is filled with tiles, after you login from the new Lock Screen. You'll also find tiles representing your news feeds and the Microsoft App Store. This is how you'll launch Metro UI apps.

3. Microsoft App Store: The only way to get new Metro UI apps is to get them from the Microsoft App Store. Microsoft has obviously learned from the Mac App Store's success and is trying to make the whole app experience easier for users. This will make installing, uninstalling, updating, and managing apps a lot simpler. Don't worry, there's still a traditional Control Panel.

4. Desktop: Windows 8 treats the desktop just like any other app. You can Alt+Tab your way into it or press Win+M to get to it directly. There's no Start menu enabled by default. It's a lot cleaner. You can access the Device, Settings, Search, and Share bars by hovering over the Windows icon.

5. New Task Manager: The Task Manager hasn't been updated much over the last few years, but it will get a revamp in Windows 8. It will have an advanced tab you to do more with it but if you're a casual user, you won't need to bother with it.

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(via PC Mag, images via Blogsolute, Lifehacker, Windows Info Portal, Megaleecher, Dirkpitt45, FediaFedia)

Comments (12)

I find it funny that Apple's desire to make money off of every app installed on your computer is seen as a positive by Mac users... I love my MacBook Pro, but I am not looking forward to the day that I have to pay Steve Jobs for every application I might want (not to mention dealing with Apple 'censorship')

Um, Steve Jobs retired.

Look, I am a Mac user by choice, because I prefer the UI, and the devices have a style that I find aesthetically pleasing. It's just a matter of taste. I don't consider other Mac users part of my extended family, and I don't look upon PC users as philistines. Apple and Microsoft are both enormous corporations that make money by selling us their products. They both produce products that get the job done in very similar ways. Okay. What, are we all supposed to build our own computers?

The Mac vs PC debate is tiresome. It's like Coke vs. Pepsi. Why would anybody care? Use whatever you want, and let's not read too much into what product a person prefers. It's just personal preferences.

@Kaz - i wouldn't be surprised if the Microsoft App Store took a 30% cut too.

I'm a Mac user - but I like the approach that Microsoft is making with the Metro Interface. However everyone is going to only discuss how you can still run real-Windows on a tablet. This is where they lose me. How are you supposed to use a tablet with a desktop interface with your fingers the same way you use a mouse to click something as tiny as a pixel?

It's a stacked on feature that people will see as an advantage, when all your doing is locking yourself into the mouse+keyboard mindset.

Microsoft has already announced they intend to take a cut of all app sales thru their new app store.

Is this a surprise? The retailer always gets a cut. It was the same with boxed software.

I'm not terribly impressed with the Win 8 interface. Seems pretty cluttered and confusing, much like the new Windows phones, and makes poor use of space. Don't see it as any sort of improvement over the existing Windows interface.

In fact, I think the UI has been going steadily downhill since Win XP.

uhm.. I believe Steve Job's salary was $1. He is still a major stock holder in Apple and therefore, still basically getting a cut of every product they sell.

I wasn't making a Mac v. PC comment. I like Apple products, I just don't always like the way the exert control over the software for those products. Trust me - windows is not fun to deal with, either.

re-reading your reply, it really looks like you didn't read what I actually wrote, but rather what you expected to read in a non-positive Apple comment...

sorry... hadn't had my coffee yet this morning.

Hehe, the first couple of images are actually of Rainmeter running on Win 7 . . :]

@James D - looks like I might be installing Rainmeter on my Win 7! :)

I've looked at Rainmeter, too. But, decided to hold off until I can get a 2nd external display (vs. using my laptop display as a 2nd monitor).

I've installed a VM of the Win8 dev. preview and played around with it a bit.

I don't recall which commentator it was or where (it was either over at ZDnet or TechRepublic). But, I agreed with them. The person commented that they installed Win8 on a touchscreen-enabled tablet device and that the biggest issue right now is that the Metro UI is just overlaid on the Win 7 desktop. There are too many situations where you're dropped into the old Win 7 desktop to do things. Which, if you're on a device that's relying heavily on touching to navigate, doesn't improve things from what's currently out there with Win7.

Only the 2nd image is Rainmeter, actually. The others are Win8.

There is also a tile in Metro for the desktop. I don't know why that wasn't mentioned.

No joshhyde, the first image is Rainmeter. It's a skin By Xyrfo and FediaFedia . . . a simple glance at the taskbar will tell you it's Win 7!

Your internet reputation is now destroyed, please hand in your pass as you leave.

@James D, That's right. I'm not sure what is going on with the first two images, but they're definitely not Windows 8 screenshots.

I just spent the weekend watching the keynotes and several sessions from the BUILD Windows Developer Conference and as a Mac user myself I'm very excited for it. The Metro interface is really just good, clean, basic design that they use really well. I recommend watching the session on Designing Metro Style, which gives some of the background on the how and why they did what they did. It's amusing watching a designer trying to explain design to a room full of developers.

:)