[Cringing Negativism Network]

I disagree.

Windows 8(.1) is much nicer.

The thing is, it is different. But it’s good.

[usconservative]

The overwhelming majority of people who complain about Windows 8.x typically fall into one or more of the following catetories:

They resist change;
They've never actually seen Windows 8.x;
They're repeating what their friends tell them;
They've recoiled in horror at the Metro UI (who hasn't?);
They don't know that customizations are available to make Windows 8.x easier to use;
They're just blanket Microsoft haters;
They say they'll use WinXP until it's pried from their cold dead hands (without understanding the security implications of that statement);

Anyone who's actually TRIED and USED Windows 8.x and gotten past the horrible Metro Interface are typically impressed with how much faster Windows 8.x is than Windows XP or Windows 7 and assuming they're running supported hardware will testify to how rock solid Windows 8 is.

I started my career in PC's dating back to Dos 1.0 and through every version of Windows, and now also have a Mac which I primarily use for Video editing. Have to say, aside from the Metro interface, Windows 8.x is pretty darn good. Once one loads ClassicShell or Start8 on Windows 8.x it's functionally as usable -- if not moreso -- than Windows 7 and far, far faster.

I run an 8-Core AMD 4.2Ghz PC with 32gb of memory and a Samsung EVO 840 series SSD. My boot time with Windows 8 is just under 17 seconds from the time I push the power button until the time I'm logged in and on the Desktop screen.

Same config with Windows 7 I couldn't get the boot time under @35 seconds.

Applications run MUCH faster on Windows 8 than Windows 7 also. Load time for Microsoft Word on Windows 8 is well under 2 seconds. Sometimes I think Word's already on the screen as the second mouse click is on its way up (unpressed.)

Windows 7, Microsoft Word loaded in about 3 seconds.

There's just no comparison in the speed with Windows 8 v. Windows 7.

I think most people would be surprised to learn that Windows 8.x is rapidly becoming the gaming PC OS of choice due to its speed and efficiency.

My two sons both have AMD Quad-Core 3.8Ghz PC's w/8gb of memory, SSD drives and GEForce GT660 video cards w/2gb memory. The motherboards are all Asus M5A97 R2.O's.

Windows 7, Battlefield 4 the max FPS they could achieve on ULTRA setting was under 75FPS.

Windows 8, same hardware config w/Battlefield 4 they're hitting 90-95FPS easily on ULTRA. If they back down to High they're over 100fps.

I think that right there tells you pretty much all you need to know about Windows 7 v. Windows 8.x and how much faster and more efficient with resources the Windows 8 kernel is.

(it's ugly-ass Metro UI asiide...)