Over the last few weeks I have been hearing a little more about Windows 8 and so I decided to have a look at some Windows 8 reviews (previews?) from four leading tech sites.
Reading the reviews I can’t help but get excited by Microsoft’s latest OS offering. With Windows 8, Microsoft have taken on the challenge of creating an OS that flows easily between desktop and mobile (read tablet) computing.
These reviews included two video reviews:
- walk-through of the interface by Engadget
- Windows 8 vs iPad iOS
(See the videos yourself below)
and two written reviews:
- a short review from Techcrunch
- a detailed review from Techradar
(Links to each of the reviews are provided below)
Heading for the Cloud
Windows 8 leans heavily on cloud technology – making it lighter (in terms of Mb) and potentially more portable.
It is easy to forget that Microsoft have offered a cloud based storage system for a while (SkyDrive) – although they have not offered the type of integration promised by Chrome or planned by Apple (with iCloud and iOS 5) to date. Perhaps Windows 8 will be the one integrated OS that Apple is striving for with its plans.
Have a look at these Window 8 reviews and judge for yourself.
Engadget Windows 8 for Tablets Hands on Preview
Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Viddler video.
This short review looked at the user interface (in particular Metro) and performance. The written review repeats and comments on the points raised in the video:
- Touch screen performance was good, but pinch and zoom still needed work
- Navigation was good – in particular the ubiquitous nature of the Search, Share, Start, Devices and Settings “charms” meant basic functions were in easy reach (no swiping several screens back to “Search”)
Link to original article: Engadget Windows 8 Review
TechRadar: Hands on: Windows 8 Review
“compelling, genuinely innovative”
Probably the most in depth Windows 8 review of the four, in addition to commenting on what the interface of this OS is like, they also touch on security and performance.
The review includes views of the control panel and Internet Explorer 10. The IE 10 is simpler (no obvious browser bar) and it looks like Windows have gone for a slim (bare) look.
Link to Techradar’s Windows 8 Review
Windows 8 Compared to Apple’s iPad OS
Want to see Windows 8 in action and compared to the iPad then the Gizmodo is article is your baby:
Linked side by side review of the iOS to the Window 8 OS by WinRumors.com – on Gizmodo.com.
While a little grainy, which made it hard to assess the quality of the graphics, you do get to see the operating system in action and the search function and navigation. You also get to see how IE 10 in Windows 8.
I thought this was a useful review and very well done despite the sound quality.
Techcrunch: Previewing The Future: Hands On With Windows 8
“quite cool and quite innovative”
Written by John Briggs and Devin Coldeway this review is in two parts – John comments focus on the Windows 8 OS, while Devin appears to look at it from a hardware angle.
John’s review brings up the extensive use of the Cloud in Windows 8 – something which makes this OS a lighter and also improves its portability “profile pictures on your login screen will appear on every machine you log into”.
Given Microsoft’s investment and marketing of the SkyDrive (as anyone who has watched the last season of “Bones” can attest”), cloud integration in Windows 8 should not be a surprise. I imagine Microsoft is aiming for the sort of portability that Google are promising with their Chrome OS.
Link to Techcrunch’s Windows 8 Review
Let me know what you think – have you got your hands on Windows 8 – are these Window 8 reviews on the money? Tell me in the comments below.
Until then, woof .
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