Microsoft finished with Windows 8, ships it to system manufacturers

[OhauitiWeather]

Microsoft announced on Wednesday that it has completed the development and testing of Windows 8

Microsoft announced on Wednesday that it has completed the development and testing of Windows 8, a major upgrade of its OS for desktops, laptops and tablets and one of the most important product releases in the company's history.
 
Now Windows 8 is available to hardware makers that will release new PCs and tablets with the OS at the end of October, when the product officially starts shipping commercially.
 
"Together we are bringing to customers a new PC experience that readies Windows PCs for a new world of scenarios and experiences, while also preserving an industry-wide 25-year investment in Windows software," wrote Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live Division wrote in a blog post.
 
Windows 8 will run on devices with x86 chips from Intel and AMD, as well as on devices that use ARM chips. The ARM version of the OS is called Windows RT.
 
After hitting this RTM (release to manufacturing) milestone, Microsoft is reiterating the Oct. 26 date for the commercial availability of the OS in new devices as well as in stand-alone form as an OS upgrade on existing Windows PCs.
 
Microsoft has already announced two upgrade special offers for users with machines running Windows 7 and other versions of the OS.
 
Some Microsoft customers and partners, however, will get early access to Windows 8 this month, including developers, who will be able to download the OS through their MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) subscriptions starting on Aug. 15. On that same day, IT professionals testing the OS in their companies will gain access to it via their TechNet subscriptions.
 
On Aug. 16, the gates open for customers with Software Assurance contracts, who will get access to the Windows 8 Enterprise edition, as well as for Partner Network members who will be able to get Windows 8.
 
Four days later comes the turn for Microsoft Action Pack Providers, and on September 1st Volume License customers without Software Assurance will be able to buy Windows 8 from Volume License Resellers.
 
With Windows 8 and its new Metro interface optimized for devices whose screens support touch and stylus input, Microsoft will try to improve the operating system's weak position in the tablet market, widely dominated by Apple with its iPad.
 
Microsoft has seen in recent years as consumers have embraced tablets, particularly iPads, not only for personal use but also, to the surprise of many, for work, triggering the trend known as BYOD (bring your own device) to the office.
 
Microsoft's sense of urgency is such that it has even decided to release its own Microsoft-branded tablet, to improve the chances of success for Windows 8 in this market, although the move has rubbed some of its device manufacturing partners the wrong way.
 
A key question for Windows 8 is how much support it will get from application developers, a crucial element in the success or failure of a new OS. In its RTM announcement on Wednesday, Microsoft pointed out that come Aug. 15, developers will find in the Windows Development Center "all the tools and resources" needed to build Windows 8 applications, including the final build of Visual Studio 2012.


Published by Resellernews, By Juan Carlos Perez, Miami | Thursday, 02 August 2012
Link to article:  http://reseller.co.nz/reseller.nsf/inews/microsoft-finished-with-windows-8-ships-it-to-system-manufacturers?opendocument&utm_source=chbeat&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=chbeat

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[ato2]

Any one got feedback on the Windows 8 OS?
I spent a week with Windows 8 Pro before I ditched it and returned to Windows 7. The DVD with the  Win 8 Pro OS on it can stay in storage for a while.

As a desktop user, I found that Win 8  was tedious and having to add third party software to make it more useable as a desktop, is quite ridiculous. If end users had the simple choice of booting directly to a proper, traditional desktop or the new Start screen, then all would be fine- best of both worlds, everyone happy.
In terms of productivity, I found Win 8 Pro to be a negative experience.
BTW the Apps on the start screen seemed rather spotty in terms of their quality.
I think MS have currently annoyed  the huge desktop users' base and under delivered on the apps for touch screen side.

[Te Puke Weather]

I have installed Windows 8 and I love it. Easy to use and fast to load, Windows 8 has made the hard even faster! I for one say well done to Microsoft for there the OS.

As for the Apps that the way of the future, I am using a Samsung Galaxy phone and a new Tablet, all run with apps. I have also found that the Android to Windows 8 works very well, and I can content to my network with no issues from and device.

I will not be going back to Windows 7 as I find the features on 8 to be very good. Internet explorer has come of age in Windows 8. Now Explorer 10 is on par with Chrome.

I do remember when Windows 7 came out the same things where said.... Welcome to change   

[ato2]

Are you also using Windows 8 on a non touch screen desktop machine, though?

[Te Puke Weather]

Yep, my workstation dose not have a touch screen

[ato2]

On your workstation, what features do you feel the Windows 8 has over the 7 desktop? You mentioned IE10 in your post.

[Te Puke Weather]

I well, there are some I like and some I don't. I will do my best to list them..

LIKE:
The way the desktop loads software e.g. Office
The start pop up windows, and the pop out nav link the both side of the screen
The way you can install from the desktop, fast and easy
The 'share' from the desktop
The Notepad is easy to read, bigger font and clearer

Don't Like
There no add new file button in the file manager window

[Rwood]

I want to get a new fairly high-end laptop soon with Windows 7, but that could be a challenge.

[TonyC]

I bought an HP laptop with a I7 processor, 4gb memory and 500gb HD for my lady last weekend in Christchurch from Noel Leeming for $995. It was a "run out" model because it had Windows7 built into the firmware. I think these were selling for around $1500 6 months ago.

[Rwood]

I want to get a new fairly high-end laptop soon with Windows 7, but that could be a challenge.

I bought an HP laptop with a I7 processor, 4gb memory and 500gb HD for my lady last weekend in Christchurch from Noel Leeming for $995. It was a "run out" model because it had Windows7 built into the firmware. I think these were selling for around $1500 6 months ago.
[/quote]

Yes, I'm hoping to hang on until after Xmas for some bargains.