Windows 8 Release Preview : Personal Review

Hoping to surpass its predecessor, Microsoft has released Windows 8 Release Preview (download here - 64 bit version), before the actual launching of Windows 8 which is scheduled in about next 2 months. Basically, Windows 8 is presented to polish their previous version (Windows 7) up, especially in its graphical appearance and performance. For reminder, the Release Preview will expire on 15th January 2013.


Here is my personal experience in surfing through Windows 8 Release Preview. After installing a fresh copy of Windows 8, you'll be provided with two options, whether you want to have a new experience within Windows 8 or you want to use Windows 7 instead. A remarkable thing to note for dual booting is that Windows 8 boot loader shown after Windows 8 boot screen (unlikely the previous version).


A new home for Windows 8, which is called Metro, shown as the screenshot below.

This feature is a new implemented, providing better graphical appearance for Windows' users. Considering its usage for Tablet (which has touch-screen feature), it delivers a new way in navigation style. However, PC users may find this feature a little annoying. Windows 8 doesn't have a "Start Button" which is possible to make newcomers puzzled. Some tips to begin with, Windows 8 can show all of its installed applications by right-click your mouse to the bottom of screen. Windows 8 is also equipped with a new, Metro-based and faster Internet Explorer.

After accessing your Desktop, it's almost the same as Windows 7. The difference to note is "Start Button" has been replaced with a Metro thumbnail and by moving your cursor to the right, you'll see a sidebar as screenshot below:

"Aero Auto Colorization", a new feature which is provided by Windows 8, automatically configures the color of Aero elements based on your background pictures. You can notice the difference in the color of your taskbar:

This feature provides users with more beautiful appearance. Windows 8 doesn't only improve their graphics in Aero elements but also their "Task Manager" and file Management UI.

 

Microsoft has also included a new control panel within its Metro. This control panel can be functioned to configure your power settings (shutdown / restart) and many others as shown below:

In the other hand, Windows 8 has several notable disadvantages, such as inconvenient ways to manage all running applications (in Metro). We're possible to get an unified view by pressing Alt+Tab, but if you're having multiple processes, this kind of matter will be harder to manage.


Windows 8 also featured with Windows Reader (to read PDF file), but this kind of file is set to open in Metro appearance. This feature may engage strange, uncomfortably experience to non-technical user.


Personally, I've difficulties in closing these Metro applications appearance, since there's no exit button provided. Several ways such as pressing Alt+F4 are possible, but this kind of issue still needs some improvisations in future.


Nuff said, in my two cents, Windows 8 is better than Windows 7 in its graphical appearance and reability (since you can manage your OS by its better appearance). However, newcomers need to adapt with new environment, and this isn't an easy matter as GUI-based technologies are dominating this operating system. 


Windows 8 is recommended for ones who demand a change, especially in graphical appearance, while Windows 7 is still recommended for personal users who are using many kinds of applications in their job (Windows 8 still has some compatibility issue with older versions of software). There's still a lot of issues to fix with; yet,Windows 8 is a new era of computing, especially for touch-screen based technology. 


By: Iskandar Setiadi