Update: 6/14/2012
Windows 8 continue to go in non-responsive (hang) mode from time to time, almost once each day. I noticed this behavior when either I am using Skype or I am accessing Gmail. It leaves me no choice but to hard boot my laptop.
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Windows 8 still has a long way to go. It has impressed me on the visual part, I am still unsure about the technical and internal aspects of it.
It has been couple of weeks since I have started working with Windows now.
I have Visual Studio 2012
RC running on Windows 8 Release Preview. I have a Sony Vaio S Series with 8GB RAM, i5 Processor, 750 GB HDD, and everything else pretty loaded.
I have
most of my daily use software installed on Windows 8. The list includes the following:
- Visual
Studio 2012
- Skype
- Office
2012 Professional Plus
- Chrome
- Team
Viewer
- Outlook
2010
- Camtasia
Studio
- Word Pad
Good Windows 8
So good
news is that, I don't need to do much extra or install new version to keep
working with my existing software. And most of them seem to be working just
fine.
All of my hardware including mouse, printer, second monitor and Internet, all are working just fine.
Touch and ink works great.
Navigation is smooth and screens are sharp looking.
Bad Windows 8
The bad
news is I am already forced to restart my laptop for 3 times in last 3 days. At
some point, Windows 8 becomes unresponsive and even CTRL+ALT+DEL does not
launch Task Manager. So there is no way out but to hard boot it.
There are so many background processes are running and if you have less memory, that may impact you.
Annoying Windows 8
Microsoft has missed some of the very common functionality that everyone is frustrated about. There is no quick way to go to app menus and missing the Windows Start button.
There is no quick way to close a running app. Windows are missing the close icons.
There is no way to see all of my running applications (on both desktop and metro views. There are some work around and shortcut keys. You can download a list of the shortcuts here.
Windows 8 becomes unresponsive from time to time.
The Verdict
If you are thinking to replace your only existing work or home machine, DON'T do it.
If you have an extra machine to mess around or you plan to use a virtual environment, GO AHEAD and give it try.