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Windows 8 Review | Best Parts of Windows 8

01/24/2013 By TLN

Welcome to The Little Nerd’s Official Windows 8 Review

Windows 8 in the latest Windows operating from Microsoft that replaces the older Windows 7 on laptops, as well as PCs. The new operating system is also found on some tablet devices. If you are planning to buy a new PC here are some things you need to know about Windows 8 and if it’s worth it for you to upgrade to this new version or not.
Windows 8 Review
The new version of Windows is perhaps the biggest upgrade since Windows 95 was. You’ll find this new version on new PCs and laptops you buy in the store. Older versions of Windows were essentially the same and easy to use once you got used to the system. Windows 7 for example was about the same as Windows XP it just had some upgrades. In Windows 8 the system is now a more modern interface that you can use with newer touchscreens as well as your keyboard or mouse.
Start Screen
The Start Screen is different in Windows 8 and there’s no traditional desktop as we have been familiar with before. Many people will find this confusing and it takes a lot of time to get used to the new system. The start button itself isn’t even visible; you’ll have to click in the lower left corner to access it. The start screen has a lot of extra information such as the weather, news, and your email box so it is helpful, it just looks a lot different than before.
Apps
With Windows 8 the programs are now called “apps” much like they are on smartphones. An app such as the maps feature for example will open full screen and there’s not the traditional buttons to close the app down. This is done in the middle of the screen and then dropping the app back down to the bottom of the screen to close it completely. This is different from previous Windows versions and takes time to get used to. You can also open two apps at the same time and have them appear on the screen. Windows 8 makes more use out of shortcuts and you’ll be using these a lot when working with this new operating system.
Charms Bar
Another new feature of Windows 8 is the Charms bar. You can access this in the right hand edge of your screen. You can access search, share, start, devices, and settings. The search feature is a better search function and with sharer you can share your content on the Internet depending upon the app you’re using. Stat takes you to the start screen. Devices show you information about your installed devices such as a printer. The setting shows you your volume, screen brightness and so on.

Getting Used to Windows 8
The way you do things in Windows 8 is so vastly different that many people will be turned off of the system initially. Things do get better the more that you use it but for many are going to want to stay with Windows 7. This system tries too hard to be like a mobile operating system and doesn’t really act like the regular Windows operating system. Some people will like this new version while others are not going to like it at all.

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The Pros and Cons of Windows 8

10/30/2012 By TLN

Wondering What The Pros and Cons of Windows 8 Are?

The Windows 8 release slated for 26th October, 2012 is one of the most anticipated releases of the year. It’s been three years since the last Windows iteration (Windows 7) hit the market, and Windows aficionados are eagerly waiting for the upcoming new release. Microsoft has offered a couple of sneak-peak previews of its much talked-about operating system through a Consumer Preview and official release preview. A few notable pros and cons of the Windows 8 system can be pieced together from the sneak-peak previews.

Pros of the Windows 8 System

From what can be gathered so far, Windows 8 is presumably going to be the first desktop operating system to support mobile computing. The question of how desktop can be integrated with mobile has been buzzing in the technology world since the emergence of mobile computing. With Windows 8, Microsoft seems to have provided a fitting answer, and whereas it remains to be seen whether it will really succeed, there’s no denying that it is a bold step forward and a very welcome move at that.

For developers, Windows 8 is going to make it easier to build Metro apps for the system. In essence, a developer will only have to know web scripting and formatting languages, such as CSS, JavaScript, and HTML5. It will make for a quick, simple, and more efficient development process.

Microsoft will also be releasing its own App Store with Windows 8, which will basically provide developers a central hub where to distribute their apps from. Again, it remains to be seen whether Microsoft’s effort will be a success this time around as it has attempted a similar thing in the past and it failed dismally.

Another major advantage is that the Task Manager has been revamped to best cater to the needs of the regular user while still providing enough sophistication for the power user. When launched, the window will only display a list of running applications and those that are unresponsive. There is a ‘More Details’ option for power users that displays the Services, Processes, Performance, and Networking tabs.

Cons of the Windows 8 System

While there are a number of new features that are undeniably intuitive in Windows 8, there are some downsides too. Notable among them is the new user interface that is not only hard to navigate to the desktop, but also very confusing to find a way back to the Start menu. While it’s quite intuitive and ambitious, average users will likely find it hard navigating.

In the same regard, the new interface design feels like it was created for tablet computing rather than for the desktop. It is primarily a touch-based interface and although it supports keyboard and mouse use, people that are so used to the keyboard style will find that it doesn’t flow well on Windows 8.

In all, Windows 8 promises to be an ambitious step into the future, but it will take some time for average users to get used to the confusing interface design. It makes it easier that Windows 7 apps will be supported.

 

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Best New Features of Windows 8 for Tablets and PCs

10/20/2012 By TLN

Ever since Microsoft made the Windows 8 Release Preview of its new system, many people have commented on the new features that you can look forward to as the official release date draws near. Here are some of the best new features of what is largely thought of as Microsoft’s most significant version of its Windows operating system.

The most striking and easily recognizable new feature of the Win 8 system is the touch user interface. The classic layout of the older versions has been completely altered to include a new animated interface but on a Windows 7 based theme (Windows 7 apps will be accessible on the new system). Screen navigation can be completed by swiping and a user can use customizable Live Tiles to view information about a program without launching it. And while the ‘Metro’ interface was designed for swipe and sweep gestures, they can still work with a mouse if that’s what a user wants, according to Microsoft.

Another cool new feature of Windows 8 is that it will support ARM tablets as well as x86 machines, the very first version of Windows to do so. This means that users will be able to work with their tablets, ultra books, and all-in-one screens on their Windows 8 system. And with the ARM version, a tablet will be able to remain connected to the Internet while in standby.

For those that like multitasking, brace for the snap multitasking feature that will allow two apps to run simultaneously. This feature will allow users to switch between apps, resize them, and snap them into position on the desktop. You will be able to resize an app (for instance enlarging it) by simply dragging its bar, while switching between apps is as simple as swiping for the left side of the screen.

Windows 8 will also have a feature that allows for a multitude of ways to customize their desktop to their personal tastes. With previous versions, users can personalize their desktops using screensavers and wallpapers. The ‘tatoos’ feature in Windows 8 goes beyond that.

Another new feature that you can’t miss is ‘Charms’, which is essentially the new Start bar for Windows. It can be accessed from the left bottom corner of the desktop, the same place that the Start button is located on older Windows version. This feature allows for fast configuration of app settings. There are five sets of options for both system settings and app settings, including Settings, Devices, Share, Search, and Start.

There are many more features to look out for when Microsoft finally releases Windows 8 on the proposed date of 25th October, 2012. Note that the aforementioned features are primarily based on the Consumer Preview and Release Preview of the system.

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