Windows 8 Compared to Older Versions
“The grass is always greener on the other side” or so the saying goes. But is it really? Is newer, bigger, and better always bigger and better? Sometimes it is, other times, it isn’t. In this case, it may not be. Windows 8 will be released soon, and many consumers have their doubts that this operating system will be any more of a success than Vista was. A look at the following features might help you decide whether or not Windows 8 is an operating system that you want on your computer.
- No Start Button: Windows is well known for its Start Button. On every operating system for the past fifteen years, Windows has included some kind of start button at the bottom of the screen in the left corner. Now, they have decided to change things up a little. Instead of a start menu, they have decided to move to a start screen.
Similar to the screen on a smart phone, the start screen will have programs accessible in the form of small boxes laid out in a square so that you can see them all at once. If you want to view more programs, you will simply slide the screen over for the next group. How do you get to this screen? Just click where the start button was previously located. Basically, all they’ve done is remove the button and enlarged the area where your programs are located.
- Faster: Yes, it’s true, Windows 8 is quite a bit faster than Windows 7. They have shortened the start up time, the shut down time, and the boot from sleep time. This means that you now only have to wait eighteen seconds for your computer to load, instead of twenty-seven. You also only have to wait eight seconds for shut down, instead of twelve.
Not only is the start up and shut down time faster, programs also load more quickly. This means less time waiting for your browser to load so you can start on that project at work.
- SSD: Windows 8 will no longer be using a hard drive. Instead it will be using a solid state drive, or SSD. This also helps to boost the speed with which programs open, making it more convenient for users.
Al in all, it seems that the major improvement that Windows 8 makes over Windows 7 is how quickly it performs tasks. The main complaint that most users have with it is the replacement of the start menu with the start screen. The reasoning behind this is that it is more compatible with touch screen computers and tablets, thus making it a good crossover for all types of computers.
Being the first attempt at a crossover does mean that it is likely to have glitches, but that is to be expected with any new operating system. Given time, it could be a ground breaking new system.
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