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Product Description
Product Description
Welcome to Windows 8. Windows has been reimagined to focus on your life. The beautiful, fast, and fluid design is perfect for a range of hardware; from compact, touch-enabled tablets and lightweight laptops, to PCs and large, powerful all-in-ones with high-definition screens. It's smooth, intuitive, and gives you instant access to your people, apps, and stuff, so you spend less time searching and more time doing. You'll love browsing through the Windows Store and downloading apps to help you work more efficiently, or installing the latest games so you can compete with friends. Apps can work together, too, so you can share photos, maps, contacts, links, and whatever else you want. No matter what you want to do, you can get it done quickly in Windows 8. Whether you're completing a project, playing a game, or reading a book, with Windows 8 you can use touch, mouse, and keyboard together-seamlessly-to do what you want, the way you want. No need to choose one or the other. It starts quickly and it's cloud-connected so you can access your photos, documents, and settings on any Windows 8 PC. Behind the new look of Windows 8 is the rock-solid foundation you've come to expect from Windows 7. Immerse yourself in the exciting features of a new generation of PCs while enjoying the full power of Windows.
This product is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) package, and the licence governing the installation and use may not convey the same rights as a full retail package. OEM product packages may not contain the same printed documentation or bundled software and hardware which forms part of the full retail package. Prospective purchasers should make themselves aware of any such restrictions before purchasing.
Product Description
Microsoft OEM Win 8 64bit DVD WN7-00403 Software Operating Systems
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
118 of 135 people found the following review helpful
By Asp K
Looking at the reviews, I see the same pattern I am seeing all over the Internet. A more or less 50 v 50 split amongst the users. They either love it or hate it. It seems that those users who tend to use the PC like a tablet, for casual surfing, sharing on Facebook and those kind of things in general find the new interface pleasant, especially if they have a touch screen to go with it.
However, another segment of users, who use PCs for productivity, such as devlopers, programmers, graphics artists etc are the one's who tend not to be so impressed. I belong to this group, and I have to say that the new UI doesn't help my workflow at all. It slows it up. I am a big iPhone user and so far that has taken care of my mobile needs, and casual surfing needs, although I could do with something larger like an mini iPad. But I see no reason to bring bring a mobile touch interface to the desktop! The problem starts with the missing the start button, which means you constantly have to click back and forth between two different operating systems looking for applications, for a totally inconsistent experience. Where can I find a complete list of software that is installed on my PC? Where's the recent documents list? Why do applications now open in full screen? All this just makes me lose my train of thought. On Windows 7 and just about every other desktop OS, can easily tell whether an application is running or not by simply spotting its window. The idea of multi-tasking was also greatly supported by the fact that you could have many windows open at the same time in whatever form you desired (overlapped, tiled, stacked) and still see the content of the windows you were interested in. Read more ›
However, another segment of users, who use PCs for productivity, such as devlopers, programmers, graphics artists etc are the one's who tend not to be so impressed. I belong to this group, and I have to say that the new UI doesn't help my workflow at all. It slows it up. I am a big iPhone user and so far that has taken care of my mobile needs, and casual surfing needs, although I could do with something larger like an mini iPad. But I see no reason to bring bring a mobile touch interface to the desktop! The problem starts with the missing the start button, which means you constantly have to click back and forth between two different operating systems looking for applications, for a totally inconsistent experience. Where can I find a complete list of software that is installed on my PC? Where's the recent documents list? Why do applications now open in full screen? All this just makes me lose my train of thought. On Windows 7 and just about every other desktop OS, can easily tell whether an application is running or not by simply spotting its window. The idea of multi-tasking was also greatly supported by the fact that you could have many windows open at the same time in whatever form you desired (overlapped, tiled, stacked) and still see the content of the windows you were interested in. Read more ›
79 of 91 people found the following review helpful
I've been trying to use Windows 8 on a laptop for over a month, just to try and get used to the interface and the changes. Obviously it is designed to work with a touch-enabled monitor, which I do not have. Without such a monitor you're not going to get optimum usability from it.
While there are undoubtedly some improvments to the OS, there are some features missing. One of the biggest criticisms is that the start menu has been replaced by the new start screen, which is actually a new UI what works like a tablet interface. It means that you have to constantly switch between two different interfaces to get to things done. Another problem is that applications open full screen which makes working with more than one application difficult. On just about every tech site you look up on the Internet, you'll find articles on how to improve the usuability of Windows 8. In other words, a lot of work and learning just to get Windows 8 functioning like Windows 7.
However, I'm not too worried about usability issues because that is something that is at least fixable and can improve. What concerns me, and what I miss from the comments of many is a failure to see that the new UI is more than just a new UI. Apart from the desire by Microsoft to lever their new system into the market place, the desktop defintely seems to have been deprecated. My main concern is that this is the first step towards a closed and Microsoft governed app store that may evnetually replace the desktop UI, the deskop API and deskop applications. If Microsoft is going that route, it means a loss of freedom we have had on Windows computers for the last 30 years. Read more ›
While there are undoubtedly some improvments to the OS, there are some features missing. One of the biggest criticisms is that the start menu has been replaced by the new start screen, which is actually a new UI what works like a tablet interface. It means that you have to constantly switch between two different interfaces to get to things done. Another problem is that applications open full screen which makes working with more than one application difficult. On just about every tech site you look up on the Internet, you'll find articles on how to improve the usuability of Windows 8. In other words, a lot of work and learning just to get Windows 8 functioning like Windows 7.
However, I'm not too worried about usability issues because that is something that is at least fixable and can improve. What concerns me, and what I miss from the comments of many is a failure to see that the new UI is more than just a new UI. Apart from the desire by Microsoft to lever their new system into the market place, the desktop defintely seems to have been deprecated. My main concern is that this is the first step towards a closed and Microsoft governed app store that may evnetually replace the desktop UI, the deskop API and deskop applications. If Microsoft is going that route, it means a loss of freedom we have had on Windows computers for the last 30 years. Read more ›
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. D. Brett
I am stuck with this awful operating system without any way to turn off the swipe gesture, which frequently keeps turning on the charm bar or the Windows start screen without wanting it. It's extremely annoying when you are in the middle of work and just want to move the cursor with the mouse. Appallingly designed. Do not upgrade to this.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
I absolutely hate windows 8, it's as if microsoft took computers designed for professional adults and made them suitable for a four year old. Sadly I'm forced to use this OS on my corporate laptop but would never buy it for myself. Have spent some time installing extra software to bring back things like the start menu which slightly takes away the pain. What were they thinking when they made this OS? I think there is some gratification to see the rise of tablets and drop in PC sales (and so windows sales and thus microsoft revenue). hate it. hate it. hate it.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Rich
Amazon Verified Purchase
So I got this for my new build, I really liked the look of Windows 8 as I must confess I was getting a little bored of Windows 7 and Vista. When I first installed Windows 8 it was very quick, although of course that speed naturally has deteriorated as more and more things are installed. 3 months down the line it is around the same speed as Windows 7 and I am sick to death of how it works, I am constantly looking up ways to downgrade but it seems I'd have to wipe my hard drive and buy Windows 7 for �70. I would not recommend that you buy this OS and just stick with Windows 7.
I've even installed a Ubuntu partition on my hard drive and I am much happier while using that, and should I build a new PC in the near future I would not consider Windows 8 at all.
UPDATE: Drive failed, got a refund for both the hard drive and Windows 8. Replaced with 1TB Seagate SSHD and Windows 7 64bit (Much happier!)
I've even installed a Ubuntu partition on my hard drive and I am much happier while using that, and should I build a new PC in the near future I would not consider Windows 8 at all.
UPDATE: Drive failed, got a refund for both the hard drive and Windows 8. Replaced with 1TB Seagate SSHD and Windows 7 64bit (Much happier!)
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Windows 8 is pretty good.
Have been running Windows 8 on my machine for a number of months now, and generally im fairly happy with it. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars
Messy and confusing
I was always of Windows XP, which I found slick and usable (at least by Microsoft standards), but Windows 8 is such a mess. Read more
Published 2 days ago by JHC
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not as bad as people say
I like the fact that there is 2 operating systems in one. It is easy to move around. Its pretty fast too. If your adaptable like me, I would say go for it
Published 2 days ago by Ismael
1.0 out of 5 stars
What a horrible mess!
Who would think of putting a mobile phone interface on a desktop machine? Microsoft!
What a horrible mess this operating system is. Read more
What a horrible mess this operating system is. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Paul James Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars
good if you actually ned it
I dont know why i bought this. its good but i have a mac. i was talked into getting one but i find i never use it with parralels. but it works
Published 4 days ago by @HewlandM
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good if you are happy with change
My son loves this operating system which was put on his new self built gaming computer. From an older generation, I would say that to me it look intuitive and a definite step... Read more
Published 4 days ago by A. M. Gane
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Bad...
I got a new laptop with Windows 8 and from the reviews knew it would be very different from Windows 7, so I watched lots of reviews and tutorials on how to use it on Youtube so I... Read more
Published 15 days ago by C88
1.0 out of 5 stars
Can't deal with it!
After nearly losing my rag over the state of Windows 8 a friend said "Just install Ubuntu, It's 100% free forever".. Would that make Windows 8 better I asked? Read more
Published 15 days ago by S. Green
1.0 out of 5 stars
Very unreliable & almost all software I run needs to be repurchased...
Have had to to format reload 5 times so far. Most of the software I use won't run on it, I run Xp as well on same computer so I use this software, if I boot on Xp & run for a few... Read more
Published 16 days ago by Andy
1.0 out of 5 stars
The worst os I have ever used
There have been some poor operations systems in the past, Vista and ME to name 2 which had their fair share of stability issues. Read more
Published 17 days ago by Rimmer72
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