Windows 8 - Early reviews look promising

I was aware of Windows Media Center being offered for free for Win 8 Pro users, but didn't know how to get it! 

Product key ordered. 

http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57540793-285/how-to-add-windows-medi...

The new UI really is lacking as far as desktops are concerned.

You can ONLY either have 1 app fullscreen - or 1 app taking up 4/5 of the screen, and a 2nd app the 1/5 left over.

So you have to use the win7 desktop to any multi-windowing - which Im guessing is how "Windows" got its name. 

I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that you should be able to turn off the tile homescreen for desktop/laptops and just leave it on for tablets/phones.

Give it & yourself some more time Joe! Where's the hurry to come to rapid conclusions?

i agree, trouble is first impressions are everything & the tiles thing is really for touch screen regardless so the option should be there, BIG oversight imo,Microsoft got bit with vista & as much as win 8 has some funky features I can't help think it will be another big elephant in the room.

most pc users want an os for a pc(if you want a tablet fine go buy one),a one size fits all solution may be cost effective from a production point ,but it needs to be customisable,I like ubuntu as it has options to run with netbook interface or standard,this should be the model.

as much as i said i wouldn't,i have downloaded win 8 for £24.99 & i am prepared to give it a proper evaluation,the release is better than both previews & hopefully a hotfix here n there may get us all where we want to be

I think Microsoft has made its statement literally or figuratively that Tiles is where it's heading. I can't see them backtracking, other than perhaps to have some functionality which disables it for enterprise users, maybe.

Microsoft desperately wants its phone & tablet platforms to succeed. Its strategy is to offer a consistent UI amongst all 3 platforms, which will encourage desktop users to buy other Windows devices. Only time will tell if this strategy succeeds.

Windows 8 is significantly faster than Windows 7 when you compare its desktop interface.

Can anyone remember how long it said it would take the mediacentre product key to be emailed to you?

Within 24 hours.

That may be true on a touch screen with a decent processor, it's no faster on my laptop compared to W7 & both start up in less than 15 seconds.

I used it on the pre release beta for the best part of 6 months & have now gone back to W7.

I dont agree with having to pay extra for Windows media centre it should be included, VLC media player is so much better & free

Apart from the startup time, I'm finding Windows 8 Pro to be significantly faster than Windows 7 in general. I can't comment on the pre-release version as I didn't try it properly.

Microsoft was forced by the judge to not offer Windows Media Center as standard. Although even I'm surprised at the decision to charge for it (although Pro users will get it for free).

Wow, switching between tile and classic mode is a mess.

It really is not worth changing to this from Windows 7 for Me.

Very disappointed.

It is a good way of getting more cash out of consumers who have used it in the past & feel they can not do without it. I suppose it is bit like selling a car with no radio in but having the speakers already installed.

Has windows media center gone the same way as windows mail, whats going on ? i think i will stick with vista.

All this initial apprehension & negativity is understandable, given how radically different Windows 8 is. Only time will tell if Microsoft is successful with this. It was rotting with an ageing software & competitors were steaming far ahead. Looks like the giant has woken up, & has dared to be innovative. Has it hit bulls eye, or is wildly off target? Let's see.

Things will get more interesting from now on. Apple is evidently scared, by refreshing the iPad within 6 months.