Windows 8 Upgrade version

[gabba]

Just a reminder, Microsoft have been offering their latest OS (Windows as an upgrade for older os's such as win 7 and vista, for the extremely agreeable price of $49.99. The upgrade is from Vista and Win 7, and version, to Win 8 pro, so it's definitely a good deal

The price is only available to the end of January, so if you want to get Win 8 Pro, now is your opportunity. After that pricing will revert to the standard win 7 prices, which off the top of my head start from around $150 more

If you are interested you can get more details here:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-NZ/windows/buy?ocid=GA8_O_WOL_Hero_ShopHP_FPP_Null

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[ato2]

Yes the price has been quite a sweetener for this OS. Upgraders need to be aware that Media Center doesn't come with it, and I think there is some issue with DVD's.

[gabba]

There is also a deal with Media Center, until 31 Jan. If you buy the upgrade you can get a Media Centre key (allowing you access to put Media Centre on your version of Win8) for free. This offer is available until 31 Jan also. More details here:

http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/window-on-windows/get-the-windows-8-media-center-pack-for-free-but-be-prepared-to-wait/6928

Ignore the comments about having to wait. I got my keys well withing 24 hours.

After that, presumably MC will be available from the Windows store for a nominal price

I've upgraded a 32bit Vista machine to 64bit Win 8 pro, and built a new machine with win8 pro. So far I've found the interface a bit of annoyance so mostly I still live on the desktop, which is reasonably similar to Win 7. When I get organised I'll probably try and tidy it up, but the metro interface is bearable with a PC.

WD will work happily on it. I have not tried cumulus, but don't see any reason why it also wouldn't work. For me moving from Vista it was a worthwhile upgrade.

[ato2]

I went with 64bit Windows 8 Pro and the Media Center but find the new OS frustrating- didn't seem get much work done on it- couldn't make out was a phone, a kiosk or desk top- so I skipped the learning curve and went back to Windows 7.
Later on, I think I will have another go at it and stick it back on a small partition and play with it.

[gabba]

Yep - I'm getting used to it. The Metro interface is kinda like a souped up start button, and I found that if I treated it like that then the only think that really annoyed me was the amount of mouse movement required to do something. You can see that it would work well on a tablet.

If I was on 7 I wold consider going back. I have a laptop still on 7 and I'm happy with that. There is lots of goodness between vista and 8 though, so at the moment I'm staying put on 8

There are ways you can get the 8 interface to look and behave more closely to 7, so if it gets to the point where it really annoys me, I'll probably go down that route!

[ato2]

I spent a little time with Classic Start et al but realised I was just trying to recreate the Windows 7 GUI 

[ato2]

I had another go at Windows 8 and after some messing around I more or less have it behaving as I want it.Used Start 8, Classic Shell and some VS and some endless clicking LOL! Couple of screenshots attached.

[ato2]

Had to post the second one separate 'cos of file size limitation: