Weighing the Pros and Cons of Windows 8

Microsoft successfully released the latest iteration of its operating system, Windows 8, in market shelves. After trying the Pro version on my personal computer, I was able to point out some advantages and disadvantages regarding this anticipated release. As a long-time Windows user, I’ve been itching for an impressive release from the Silicon Valley-based company, and here are some of the things I noticed.

Windows 8 Pros

• Across-the-board UI: This new product enables Microsoft to offer a “merger” of the tablet, PC, laptop, and smartphone user experience. Since user interfaces available on different Windows 8 versions are similar regardless of devices, users don’t need to spend a lot of time finding their way around different interfaces.
• Portability: Windows 8 will run on a mass storage device such as a USB drive plugged into an external host even when an older version of Windows is running. This capability is brought by a new feature, Windows To Go, that is available on the Enterprise version. This way, you can take up-to date copies your files and a bootable copy of the OS with you all the time. Simply put, it replaces the function of what people referred to years ago as the “live CD.”
• Fast boot: Windows 8 promises to deliver a drastically reduced boot time, thanks to a clever technique which involves preserving a kernel session on the disk upon shutdown, so the system doesn’t need to initialize everything all over again on the next startup. Some even say it only takes eight (8) seconds from the time you press the power button to when the UI fully loads. (Engadget)
• Improved security: Windows 8 brings in some serious security enhancements never before seen in any other Microsoft product. For the first time ever, antivirus comes pre-installed with the OS to help keep your system safer from the very first day you turn your PC on. The updated version of Windows Defender pretty much lets you protect your computer from viruses, spyware, Trojan horses, rootkits, and other malware without having to spend a dime on third-party software.
• Easy upgrade: Those coming from the Windows 7 environment won’t have a hard time downloading and upgrading to this new Microsoft platform. According to first-hand user experiences, upgrades went relatively smooth and existing software has worked fine for the most part.

Windows 8 Cons

• All-new user interface: In the same regard that some people find the new interface fantastic, some may completely abhor it all together. Some adopters may find it hard to navigate through the desktop while some might find it hard to find their way back to the start menu. The start menu, for whatever it’s worth, is what makes Windows ‘Windows’; and the new Metro UI completely diminishes that essence. It will surely take some serious behavioral adjustment for those used to the start menu and the entire thingamajig since Windows 95 to get used to the new one.
• Steep learning curve: Since the new interface brings in an ambitious shift in a lot of things, it is expected that average users would get confused and will take some time to get used to the new controls, commands, and navigation of Windows 8 devices.
• Overemphasis on touch: Windows 8 was designed by Microsoft with tablets or touchscreen devices in mind. Although it is fully navigable for those running traditional systems, some desktop PC or laptop users who just underwent a software upgrade may feel clumsy using the environment without the touchscreen capabilities it is originally designed for. Gestures may not be intuitive as using the tip of your finger, vis-à-vis using a mouse.
• Required upgrades: Hardware and software options can also become an issue when moving towards windows 9. Existing computers just won’t cut it; some users have experienced issues of matching the OS with their processor’s underlying architecture or their screen resolution. And there’s always the issue of moving on to a touch device in order to take advantage of the full Windows 8 experience.

Windows 8 isn’t perfect, and there’s still so much work to be done. But overall, Microsoft has done a good job in making a forward-looking OS that is simple, clean, and balanced. It’s just a matter of preference; it will still boil down to what you need. Hopefully, the pros and cons pointed out above will help you decide whether you should stick with what you have or proceed with the big upgrade.