Windows 8 -- and the new update, 8.1
-- is a large departure from the familiar face of Windows that has existed
since the early days of Windows 95. The update from 95 to 98 was minor, and 98
to XP was a matter of back-end streamlining and UI modernization.
The same can
be said of the jump from XP to Vista and Windows 7. Windows 7 still looks and
feels much like the previous Windows versions, though it operates differently
in the depths of its code.
Windows 8 is a departure, and many long-time Windows users consider it something of a negative move. With Windows 8, Microsoft has attempted to unify their operating systems. Windows on phones, tablets and desktops with Windows 8 will all feel roughly the same. In fact, the basic Metro UI for Windows 8 is heavily modeled after touch screen interfaces, which actually makes it slightly clunky to use with a basic mouse and keyboard interface. That is, for long-time Windows users. New users will find Windows 8 to be rather intuitive, surprisingly enough, which makes the computer more accessible to new users.
When it comes to support, Windows 7 has one advantage -- everyone knows how it works. Anyone experience with Windows troubleshooting will be able to find their way around Windows 7 without much issue. Some things may be a little different -- the Programs and Features menu replaces the Add/Remove Programs menu, but they maintain the same functionality. All of the old config options still exist, occasionally under new names. It makes Windows 7 installations easy to support.
Windows 8 is rather new, which makes basic repair perhaps more difficult for established computer support technicians. It's not hard to locate the basic features -- after all, everything is stuck into one sidebar, more or less -- but it takes some digging to find old menus you're used to using for troubleshooting.
In fact, the biggest problem with Windows 8.1 is the desire computer veterans have to make things like they're used to. The new Windows 8 update primarily allows Windows 8 users to boot directly to the desktop, rather than the Microsoft-pushed Metro interface. Unfortunately for nostalgic veterans, the shiny new Start button simply opens the Metro interface anyway.
Both Windows 7 and Windows 8 are easy to support in terms of computer repairs. They're both more modern than Windows XP and the older systems, which means they are both more supported and less attacked. There are fewer software security holes, fewer active viruses and fewer dangerous bugs. Windows 8.1 has the advantage, being an even newer operating system. It has far fewer active threats to protect against.
Hardware repair for a computer running either operating system is, of course, the same. Neither OS cares particularly what hardware you have installed, though the old Windows limits on swapped parts may still come up if you're essentially transplanting a hard drive from one machine into another. It's a simple process to circumvent those restrictions, however, so it's hardly worth mentioning.
Both Windows 7 and Windows 8 work equally well with most printers. Some older printers, those designed to work specifically with operating systems of the day, may have issues with Windows 8. Of course, Windows 8 does include a host of connectivity and troubleshooting options. If your printer doesn't work automatically, a simple printer repairs diagnostic should fix the problem.
When it comes down to core features, Windows 8 is simply a better operating system. It has numerous advantages over Windows 7, including active support and the promise of future updates. The code base upon which it is built is stronger, more secure and more capable than any previous Windows system. It is, in essence, an overhaul of the old legacy systems. Windows 7 may be an update on Windows XP, but Windows 8 is the start of a new breed.
Perhaps the most important change to many computer users is the way Windows 8 handles applications. With Windows 8, software falls into the Desktop and Metro categories. Desktop applications are the familiar software we know and love -- or hate -- in daily use. Metro applications are more like smartphone apps. They're smaller, more responsive and more limited in their capabilities. Thankfully, Windows 8 does support desktop software the same way Windows 7 does. It simply gives the user some more options for fast-launching Metro applications.
Windows 8 is a departure, and many long-time Windows users consider it something of a negative move. With Windows 8, Microsoft has attempted to unify their operating systems. Windows on phones, tablets and desktops with Windows 8 will all feel roughly the same. In fact, the basic Metro UI for Windows 8 is heavily modeled after touch screen interfaces, which actually makes it slightly clunky to use with a basic mouse and keyboard interface. That is, for long-time Windows users. New users will find Windows 8 to be rather intuitive, surprisingly enough, which makes the computer more accessible to new users.
When it comes to support, Windows 7 has one advantage -- everyone knows how it works. Anyone experience with Windows troubleshooting will be able to find their way around Windows 7 without much issue. Some things may be a little different -- the Programs and Features menu replaces the Add/Remove Programs menu, but they maintain the same functionality. All of the old config options still exist, occasionally under new names. It makes Windows 7 installations easy to support.
Windows 8 is rather new, which makes basic repair perhaps more difficult for established computer support technicians. It's not hard to locate the basic features -- after all, everything is stuck into one sidebar, more or less -- but it takes some digging to find old menus you're used to using for troubleshooting.
In fact, the biggest problem with Windows 8.1 is the desire computer veterans have to make things like they're used to. The new Windows 8 update primarily allows Windows 8 users to boot directly to the desktop, rather than the Microsoft-pushed Metro interface. Unfortunately for nostalgic veterans, the shiny new Start button simply opens the Metro interface anyway.
Both Windows 7 and Windows 8 are easy to support in terms of computer repairs. They're both more modern than Windows XP and the older systems, which means they are both more supported and less attacked. There are fewer software security holes, fewer active viruses and fewer dangerous bugs. Windows 8.1 has the advantage, being an even newer operating system. It has far fewer active threats to protect against.
Hardware repair for a computer running either operating system is, of course, the same. Neither OS cares particularly what hardware you have installed, though the old Windows limits on swapped parts may still come up if you're essentially transplanting a hard drive from one machine into another. It's a simple process to circumvent those restrictions, however, so it's hardly worth mentioning.
Both Windows 7 and Windows 8 work equally well with most printers. Some older printers, those designed to work specifically with operating systems of the day, may have issues with Windows 8. Of course, Windows 8 does include a host of connectivity and troubleshooting options. If your printer doesn't work automatically, a simple printer repairs diagnostic should fix the problem.
When it comes down to core features, Windows 8 is simply a better operating system. It has numerous advantages over Windows 7, including active support and the promise of future updates. The code base upon which it is built is stronger, more secure and more capable than any previous Windows system. It is, in essence, an overhaul of the old legacy systems. Windows 7 may be an update on Windows XP, but Windows 8 is the start of a new breed.
Perhaps the most important change to many computer users is the way Windows 8 handles applications. With Windows 8, software falls into the Desktop and Metro categories. Desktop applications are the familiar software we know and love -- or hate -- in daily use. Metro applications are more like smartphone apps. They're smaller, more responsive and more limited in their capabilities. Thankfully, Windows 8 does support desktop software the same way Windows 7 does. It simply gives the user some more options for fast-launching Metro applications.
