Windows 8 - New user here

Anything I should look at/play around with?

Just curious..thanks!

Yes. Wipe your drive and install a GNU/Linux distro. [link to distrowatch.com] You won't regret it

So I recently upgraded to a new laptop, that came with Windows 8. It's a Sony Vaio, and super fast: 8 GB RAM, 1 TB hard drive, 3d generation I-7 processor, HD display and webcam, backlit keyboard.....I'm kinda a computer geek deep down, in that, I like my laptop to be fast and have good specs.

Anyway....I've only had it about a week, and I'm just wondering - is there anything, besides the start page, that is that different then windows 7? Anything I should look at/play around with?

Just curious..thanks!

So I recently upgraded to a new laptop, that came with Windows 8. It's a Sony Vaio, and super fast: 8 GB RAM, 1 TB hard drive, 3d generation I-7 processor, HD display and webcam, backlit keyboard.....I'm kinda a computer geek deep down, in that, I like my laptop to be fast and have good specs.

Anyway....I've only had it about a week, and I'm just wondering - is there anything, besides the start page, that is that different then windows 7? Anything I should look at/play around with?

Just curious..thanks!

Yeah....downgrading to Win 7.

Win8 is a joke.

I've had Win8 for about three weeks now. You can download a nifty program that provides the usual start menu, did you know?

But some people are going to have a hard time with it, because it's laid out like a cross between a smart phone, a tablet or pad, and a desk top.

esc+ctrl will give you the background and icons, if you didn't already know ;)

Is it waterproof?

Take it into the shower with you and then post the pics.

So I recently upgraded to a new laptop, that came with Windows 8. It's a Sony Vaio, and super fast: 8 GB RAM, 1 TB hard drive, 3d generation I-7 processor, HD display and webcam, backlit keyboard.....I'm kinda a computer geek deep down, in that, I like my laptop to be fast and have good specs.

Anyway....I've only had it about a week, and I'm just wondering - is there anything, besides the start page, that is that different then windows 7? Anything I should look at/play around with?

Just curious..thanks!

Laptop? They still make those? Like with push button keys?

Ive had ppl recommend that before, but honestly I have never, ever used or tried it. Just makes me nervous =) I have my old laptop still - maybe I'll try it on that one first? How different from windows is it?

Its all new technology

Check out the MS Store lots of utilities, games, etc...
Integration with Xbox 360
less virus problems than previous Windows versions
Office 365 integration
Cloud applications included, such as skydrive
Good Skype integration

Cue Linux tards....


Ah shit


I'm too late..

Really think so? So far I'm happy. I don't see how it that much different, I will say that (besides the start screen), but I wouldn't say I am unhappy with it. I wasn't really looking to upgrade to it, but the new laptop came with it of course. That and Microsoft Office 2013, instead of 2010. Happy so far with that too, but haven't used it too too much yet.

Um....no thanks, sorry =) My husband (who I am very happily married to by the way) would not like that too much - for one: me posting pics, and 2) He bought this laptop for me, and it cost about 1200 with tax....have to take care of it =)

It is different in the sense that it is new, but you should become familiar with it in no time.

I am partial to linux mint [link to linuxmint.com]

If it's an older computer, I would install linux mint MATE. My spouse has an old laptop from 2006 that runs linux mint MATE (it's less resource hungry).

If it's a newer computer, linux mint cinnamon, is more aesthetically pleasing.

GNU/Linux has come a long way. Installation is as easy as inserting a disk into the disk drive and clicking through the menus that are presented, and once installed it can be easier to use than Windows for most tasks.

lol, yeah it didn't take too long =)

Cue Linux tards....


Ah shit


I'm too late..

Consumers such as yourself will accept whatever is handed to them, but corporate and business environments are not going to re-tool and retrain everyone for a total paradigm shift on the way you use an interface that has been in place since 1994.
...especially on an O/S that was not designed to be used with a mouse in the first place.
Everything takes 2-3 more clicks to find and use.

Ain't gonna happen.

HUGE MS blunder.

Linux is for programmers and really nerdy people, I am not a tard user but Ubuntu was driving me insane, I spent most of my time fixing shit. Since changing to W7 my life is much easier.

BTw laptops do still exist and thanks god for it, I do not want them to ever be replaced by tablets.

Its all new technology

Check out the MS Store lots of utilities, games, etc...
Integration with Xbox 360
less virus problems than previous Windows versions
Office 365 integration
Cloud applications included, such as skydrive
Good Skype integration

Linux is for programmers and really nerdy people, I am not a tard user but Ubuntu was driving me insane, I spent most of my time fixing shit. Since changing to W7 my life is much easier.

BTw laptops do still exist and thanks god for it, I do not want them to ever be replaced by tablets.

See, that's just it. While I like my computer to be on the higher end spec. wise, I am not really a "nerdy" person.

ok, thanks for answering. I'll def. think about trying it with my other laptop. I don't want to say "old" laptop because it's only 1 1/2 years old. I tend to get a new laptop pretty often =) Would Linux be too hard or ok for my 9 year old to use though? My "old" laptop is pretty much going to be his now to use for homework, games, etc. He is very familiar with windows...but also very smart with technology stuff, and learns quick. Just want to make sure it'd be ok for him too.

Yes. Wipe your drive and install a GNU/Linux distro. [link to distrowatch.com] You won't regret it

I tried to install Mint and different versions of X and Ubuntu....it always hangs during the install. I think it has to do with the Nvidia based GPU or something.