Windows 8 Upgrade

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Dratsab

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#650134 3-Jul-2012 17:10

Is the catch that NZ isn't included in the list of 131 markets?

dacraka

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#650137 3-Jul-2012 17:15

tchart:
billgates: Most likely will be NZ$49.99

I doubt it will be US$40/NZ$50 if you happen to walk into DSE, Noel Leeming etc though.

That's the download version price.

"If you prefer, you also have the option of purchasing a backup DVD for USD15 plus shipping and handling."

"If you prefer to shop at a local store, a packaged DVD version of the upgrade to Windows 8 Pro will be available for USD69.99 during this promotion."

mattwnz

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#650161 3-Jul-2012 17:41

GBristow: Strange how they're no longer going to include WMC. I hope it doesn't mark an unfortunate turn for the worse. I'm already unhappy with the tiered pricing structure. What if they introduce packages like the "Essentials Addon: Get notepad, the calculator, AND paint for one low price of just $9.95!" That, couples with the rather unfortunate Metro interface, leaves me wondering why I would upgrade from 7.

I actually see it as a downgrade from windows 7 for desktop users, since you lose the start menu and 3d flip menu(which I use all the time). The metro system is a pain to navigate on a desktop. I hope the final version does allow you to turn on the start menu at least, so you don't have to keep flipping between metro and windows.

mattwnz

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#650163 3-Jul-2012 17:43

khull: How realistic is it to shell out $300 for an operating system? I have a MSDN account that grants me access to MS software due to me being in the industry so I can relate to the level of piracy MS is getting. It is good if they offer an upgrade option for the latest release

I think that is one reason they have moved into hardware, as they look at how apple does it. They almost give away the software, and make their money on the hardware. I think windows 7 is going to be around for a very long time.

rossnixon

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#650306 3-Jul-2012 22:08

mattwnz: I actually see it as a downgrade from windows 7 for desktop users, since you lose the start menu and 3d flip menu(which I use all the time). The metro system is a pain to navigate on a desktop. I hope the final version does allow you to turn on the start menu at least, so you don't have to keep flipping between metro and windows.

I have been using Classic Shell on two computers with Windows 8 CP.
Version 3.5.1 was just released a few days ago. http://sourceforge.net/projects/classicshell
I have never used Metro yet, except when it nabbed a few multimedia files instead of PotPlayer launching them.

Regs

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Snowflake

#650348 3-Jul-2012 23:59

BlueShift:
GBristow: Strange how they're no longer going to include WMC. I hope it doesn't mark an unfortunate turn for the worse. I'm already unhappy with the tiered pricing structure. What if they introduce packages like the "Essentials Addon: Get notepad, the calculator, AND paint for one low price of just $9.95!" That, couples with the rather unfortunate Metro interface, leaves me wondering why I would upgrade from 7.

If they're planning on moving to a more app-based system, like iOS and WP7, that might be the case: break it down & sell the bits separately - on the bright side, rather than pay $5 for notepad, there would be a dozen different free alternatives as well.

the general consensus appears to be that WMC costs microsoft a truckload in extra licensing fees for MPEG and Dolby, regardless of whether the users require these or not. it really does seem rather pointless to license millions of PCs unnecessarily. i'm told that neither apple nor linux ships with these licensed codecs, but instead you have to buy add-ons or 3rd party apps. When you look at it from that angle, it kind of makes sense to seperate it and charge a fee.

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gzt

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#650406 4-Jul-2012 07:40

Nice. I refused to buy Windows 7 after paying for Vista, this makes me happy. I'm not running windows regularly anymore, but I'll probably get this.

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KevinGeek

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#651612 6-Jul-2012 00:21

I'm afraid that Win 8 can be worse than Win XP, Vista or 7.

gzt

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#651629 6-Jul-2012 03:51

Windows 7 is way better than Vista in UI response and resource use.

I'm not expecting 8 to be even better in this regard (and I expect a lot will be resolved in SP1 lol) but I think they have learned their lesson about UI response.

Metro on a desktop might be irritating but I'm confident other users will find ways to sort that out to my satisfaction by the time I get to it.

Looking at the initial upgrade price offer and the four sensible editions this time around it appears microsoft may be starting on the road to a sensible retail strategy. Although, they have had occasional sensible upgrade offers before, just not in international markets.

psychrn

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#654814 12-Jul-2012 21:32

just got back from a meeting at Hamilton PC Club where @nathanm gave us a demo on Windows 8.
My home PC is Vista, have a Macbook and used Apple iphones and Ipads and now Android phones and tablet.
Never used the new Windows based phones but I certainly liked what I saw.

If you have used any sort of smart phone then the UI is very intuitive.. Tiles/Apps

A lot of Cloud integration.
Nathan did report but "not quote him" that the cost would indeed be around the NZ$50 mark..

Available from October in new machines

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lucky015

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#654848 13-Jul-2012 01:07

Would perhaps look at W8 for my laptop to see if I can tolerate it, However I wouldn't use W8 on my Primary Desktop if they paid me the $40.

There are certainly some upgrades that will likely give it a far better core, But the UI is just plain intolerable.

gzt

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#654892 13-Jul-2012 09:02

In my case the catch is installing and running Windows again to get the online upgrade price : ).

Nice to hear Classic Shell resolves the UI concerns.

Satch

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#654991 13-Jul-2012 12:31

lucky015: Would perhaps look at W8 for my laptop to see if I can tolerate it, However I wouldn't use W8 on my Primary Desktop if they paid me the $40.

Just for a point of reference, just what would you do for $40?

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