(Keep in mind I wrote this before I left for Mexico. Just never got a chance to post it.)
WOW!
The original of this video is here. (
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows-8/consumer-preview)
That about sums it up.
I’m using a Lenovo W510 as my day to day production machine. its heavy but it has muscle. Here are my specs:
- Processor: Intel i7 Q820 1.73GHz
- RAM: 16Gb
- HDD: 2 drives (2 x 500Gb)
- Other: Touch screen
The performance of this machine is always been great and it probably does not compare well to most laptops in the wild. I have to admit that I love the 16GB of RAM when running VM.
Metro UI
Using the touch screen on my laptop for the Metro is challenging because the bezel is raised a bit and interferes with the smooth swipe movement from every side. So I mostly use the mouse.
I love the Metro UI as a start menu a lot more than i thought I would. I’ve organized it to show the programs i use the most to be on the left side so they always show up first. I pin all document/info that I access everyday to the Metro UI to the right. (some info has been redacted to comply with my Non-Disclosure agreements) So far it works very well.
If I need an app that’s not on my menu, I simply start typing the name and it shows up. (just like the old start menu on Windows 7) such as the Problem Step Recorder (I don’t use it all the time so i don’t pin it to the start menu.
I found that I got used to it very quickly especially after figuring out a lot of the keyboard shortcuts that make navigating Metro much easier when using a keyboard.
Here are some of the ones I’ve found very useful.
Win + Spacebar : Switch the input language and keyboard layout
Win + C : Open the Charms
Win + D: Show the desktop
Win + E: open Windows Explorer
Win + F: Open the Search panel
Win + H: Open the Share charm
Win + I: Open the Settings charm
Win + K: Open the Connect charm
Win + L: Lock the computer
Win + Q: Open the search pane
Win + R: Open run
Win + W: Opens the Settings search panel
I have not used the on-screen keyboard yet, but i take it from my friend Mitch, that it’s very useful and intuitive. see his post here
Applications
This one is easy to describe in terms of experience. ALL MY APPS WORK! all the programs I have for my day job worked, first time, without arm twisting. everything I needed installed without any issues. I’m not saying EVERY APP will run. I’m saying all the ones I installed worked….
I can’t comment on the Windows Store since it’s not running in Canada yet.
Hyper-v on Windows 8
I no longer need to dual boot Windows 2008 R2 to be able to usedemo 64 bit operating systems since we now have a full fledge Hyper-v in Windows 8. My VM were exported from Windows 2008 R2 and imported in Windows 8 Hyper-v without issues.
Now we’re cooking with butter!!
So Far that’s all I’ve got to report. I did procure a 32gb USB key and I’m planning on giving Windows To-goa run for it’s money. So, now that I’m back from vacation back to work…
Cheers.
