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Were you one of these clearly insane people who queued up outside PC World to buy Windows 8 last night? And if so, how’s that installation process going for you?
Microsoft’s latest OS is on general release in the UK today, and the full desktop version has received some pretty good reviews thus far. Not that reviews really matter in terms of Windows, because you’ll almost inevitably end up using it at some point in the future anyway. But still. It’s not a disaster as far as most early users are concerned.
And today, you’re able to decide whether to actually plonk down some money for Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro for a PC or laptop, or to really take a gamble on Microsoft’s dream by buying some hardware running the RT version of the code designed specifically to run on ARM-powered mobile devices.
The key advantage to be had in opting for the Pro desktop bundle is the inclusion of Microsoft’s Media Centre code, which, for those who are in the habit of using it as their main video manager, makes spending the extra money essential.
In terms of cost, the cheapest and easiest way to update is to upgrade an existing version of Windows 7 to Win 8 Pro. Doing this online costs you £24.99 through Microsoft, or £49.99 if you’re mad and would rather have a boxed disc sent to your house. Plus, if you’ve recently bought a Windows 7 machine, you may even qualify for the super-cheap £14.99 upgrade.
Or there’s the hardware with Windows 8 and RT pre-loaded. Makers like Dell, HP, Samsung and Lenovo have a variety of models available, offering traditional laptop-style machines, ultrabooks, all-in-ones, tablets and some bonkers hybrids like the Lenovo Yoga, or there’s even Microsoft’s own Surface for the lifelong Ballmer fan. [Microsoft]
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More importantly I’m getting a new cat today.
Black and white cat?
No, a tabby.
What you gonna call it?
The other half wants to name it after the cat in Alien, I think this might be a bit weird.
Ooohhh,… damn,.. you know,.. I just got it….
Thing is, this is not a joke, she really does.
My friends cat is called Jonesey.
But my Rabbits name is better. Ripley!
Well it is a tabby, so probably Chrome, Fire or possibly IE7+
I did suggest Nexus.
A tabby is any cat that has a distinctive coat that features stripes, dots, lines or swirling patterns, usually together with a mark resembling an “M” on its forehead. Tabbies are sometimes erroneously assumed to be a cat breed.
To be precise he’s a grey mackerel tabby. Had I been writing this on a Cat related site I would have included this information from the get go, but on there I would refer to my phone as a Smartphone and leave it at that.
This isn’t a Cat related site?
No, this is a Kat edited site, but I can see how you could get confused.
I think this is a much more interesting topic that people lining up to buy W8. How old is the cat?
The cat is 6 months old, we are getting it from a young couple who are having to give him up because she got pregnant shortly after they got him and can’t have him around with a new baby. He’s had all his jabs and is microchipped. We recently lost one of our cats to Cancer and the other half was devastated, hopefully this chap will fill the void.
>because she got pregnant shortly after they got him and can’t have him around with a new baby.
Eh? We have three cats and are about 3 weeks away from a baby. Why on earth would you have to give up a cat for a baby?
replying to John via me due to lack of a reply on his post (Note to Kat: Sort it out)
http://www.fabcats.org/behaviour/cats_babies/info.html They have a small flat, managing possible Cat/Baby problems in that environment was not ideal.
Yup, we’re aware of that issue, don’t you worry…
Ah, I always get my curly C’s and my kicking K’s mixed up.
I upgraded my SGS3 to JB a couple of nights ago and will be upgrading my Release Preview tonight – it is a most excellent week.
And by Monday your Phone OS will be out of date again
Living the high life!
I manage SGS3 to JB AND my Sky+ rolled out the new EPG ! It does seem to be upgrade week! Wonder what’s next…
I had my Sky+ update a few weeks back (been a bit buggy since) but next week I’m hoping for my Nexus 7 update to whatever they release on Monday.
have downloaded and am running the upgrade assistant to see how compatible it actually is, with current programs
i wonder if my porn is windows 8 ready
just incase anyone is interested
most of my programs are compatible so thats good
now i have a healthy amount of programs on my laptop so it looks pretty compatible
but i did get some recommendations as seen below
For you to review
Install an app to play DVDs
You may need to install an app to play DVDs in Windows 8.
More info
Sidebar gadgets aren’t supported in Windows 8
You won’t be able to use the sidebar gadgets that are installed on your PC in Windows 8.
More info
Secure Boot isn’t compatible with your PC
Your PC’s firmware doesn’t support Secure Boot so you won’t be able to use it in Windows 8.
More info
Adobe Media Player
Adobe Systems Incorporated, Version 1.8
Go to the app website for help
Bluetooth Win7 Suite (64)
Atheros Communications, Version 7.02.000.55
Go to the app website for help
DigitalPersona Pro
Not compatible
EPSON Event Manager
Version 1.80.00
Go to the app website for help
Microsoft Security Essentials
Microsoft Corporation, Version 4.1.522.0
Go to the app website for help
HP ProtectTools Security Manager
Reinstall it in Windows 8
AMD Catalyst Install Manager
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., Version 3.0.855.0
Reinstall it in Windows 8
ATI Catalyst Control Center
Reinstall it in Windows 8
BackItUp and Burn
Go to the app website for help
iTunes
Apple Inc., Version 10.7.0.21
Remove authorized PCs
TuneUp Utilities 2012
TuneUp Software, Version 12.0.2160.13
Go to the app website for help
WinRAR 4.00
Update available
Should I upgrade my work laptop to Win 8? I use excel alot, and like fast task switching. Is it better in Win8 or should I stick to Windows 7
(but I want new things)
Yeah,.. upgrade it straight away… what could go wrong !?
(For ref, I’d prob wait until SP2 if you have mission critical stuff, though the £25 time limited upgrade is tempting)
I know, it’s the price that’s tempting me, I might do it tonight, obviously back it up first.
you see, i didn’t give a toss about the upgrade, but 25 quid has me sitting here debit card in hand wondering if i should
Same. I just ran the start up for it and it says most of my apps and shit are compatible.
is £25.00 worth the future.
i was wondering do we also get a copy we can burn to dvd or can we install it again later from their server
I don’t think so.
I would like to buy 1 and have it on 2 of my computers.
Someone will have it on TPB in the next few hours
You get a download that you can either run now, burn to an iso or pop onto a USB stick. There’s also a link in the confirmation email to download again if you lose it. If you want a physical copy you can also order this for £12.99 + £3.49 shipping…
many thanks,
Dare I ask if anyone ran this through a BootCamped iMac yet?
Want it on my Macbook, surely it will work through boot camp.
The previews worked. As I recall, it basically just needed the bootcamp driver install to be started in Windows 7 compatibility mode once the install was complete.
Where is Sheldon Cooper? Is he Bazingering Hofstadter, Wolowitz & Koothrappali to believe Windows 8 is great!
No, he wouldent like it.
He said in one episode, “My new computer came with Windows 7. Windows 7 is much more user friendly than Windows Vista. I don’t like that.”
So I’m guessing he wont like Windows 8.
Kidd asked if he was bazinga-ing them
ex: Windows 8 is the greatest thing happen to computing since internet porn…Bazinga!
Ah, my apologies. For some reason I diddent read it like that, stupid me.
I notice they have a iMac in the corner they never use
http://cbsmiami.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/big-bang-theory-vdp.jpg (top right corner, with green headphones)
Why on earth would you queue for Windows 8 when you can just go here:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/buy
Incidentally. I’ve been running Windows 8 in various guises for about 18 months now (and the Final Release/RTM for a couple of months) and it gets the Official Flynn Seal of Approval.
Clubbed to death and chopped into steaks?
Just installed and its working well, I ran the consumer preview so I’m used to it already but this is more polished.
Remember to go get your free Media Center pack
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/feature-packs
Else you can’t watch DVDs on your PC, but then again, does anyone still do that? You could also just use VLC to watch them…
Thanks for that.
Ah i am quite disappointed with WMC, i thought it would get Merto-fied at least…but nope nothing, just plain old WMC 7.
What about if I want to get Windows 8 on a self-built PC? Does that mean I have to buy windows 7 first? Cause they’re only selling upgrade versions of win8. Or am I just getting confused here?
You can buy the DVD for a little bit more money
I tried to install windows 8 on my toaster last night. However, it’s not compatible, sadly.
I understand queueing for new hardware (although I don’t think I would ever do it myself), but queueing for software which was leaked at the start of August (and much earlier with different – but still stable – versions) seems completely ridiculous to me.
Even if you didn’t want to get it illegally, it was released at the same time online, wasn’t it? And, then, even if it wasn’t at the exact same time, it was £25 cheaper for an upgrade.
And those were the only 3 people in the queue.