Microsoft Windows 8 Professional 32-bit (Full Version) - OEM

Pros: Your Grandma might like it, unless she already has computer experience.

Cons: Too many to name. Interface is watered down and unintuitive, start button is gone, you are required to use the Metro to tinker with certain options. Compatibility with games has gone to the toilet also, as extra icing on the poop cake.

If all you want to do is play Angry Birds and check your "Live Tiles" for the latest sports scores, this is the OS for you. If you want a functioning computer that can perform tasks besides singing and dancing for your amusement, jeebus help you.

Pros: Everything that's good for an OS

Cons: Absolutely nothing

Other Thoughts: Worth the buy!

Pros: Easily replaced with Linux?
I was able to get the Start Menu back with Classic Shell, but that's not a "Pro" towards the OS itself.

Cons: A tablet interface on a desktop operating system
Ugly full-screen Start Screen that takes up the whole screen instead of a corner like the Start Menu
Almost all default programs are set to Metro applications
Submenus in Metro apps are annoyingly hidden and require a right click or swipe in (This is a HUGE waste of space on any display above 10")
Ugly minimalist interface that wastes lots of space (go look at the Metro Twitter app)
Tries to lock in the user by enabling Secure Boot by default on OEM systems
Tries to have the user use their Microsoft account as the way to log in, hiding the option to use a local PC account as soon as possible. What if your Hotmail account gets hacked?
Snap in of Metro apps is nowhere near as good as the multi-window multitasking that has been in use since the origin of the GUI and limits you to two applications at a time

Other Thoughts: Whoever thought THIS was a good idea should be fired. The world is not and never will be ready for a full touch-screen operating system on desktops and laptops. The reason touch exists is to remove the reliance on physical hardware (such as keyboards and mice) on devices so that they can be even more portable than a traditional laptop. In the few months I have been using Windows 8, not ONE single aspect of the system has made me say "Gee, I wish this was a touch screen; I'd love to reach out and use my finger on that instead!" Not to mention that touch screens of any decent size are still prohibitively expensive.

The new UI is a distraction and a hindrance. When I want to open up a new application, I don't want to look away from what I'm doing; I want to keep looking at it so I know what I need to do and open next. The prior Start Menu was a handy way to get to the software and files you needed without being distracted from what you were doing.

As mentioned above in the cons list, Windows 8 tries to cram this new experience down your throat as much as possible. Trying to open a file? I hope you've configured your software under Default Programs, because almost everything is pointed to a Metro app, which most of the time is an inferior experience that wastes space on a large display for the sake of being pretty, with less features than its equivalent desktop application. Want to actually use a Metro app in a size worthy of your screen? No thanks, all you can do is choose to snap it in to take up 25% of your screen or over 75% of your screen. There is no windowing of a Metro app without third party software. Also, you can only have two non-desktop apps open at a time, which is really limiting.

The desktop is also changed as well to accommodate this beast. There's no Start Menu; you touch or hover over a corner to use the "Charms" menu or see what Metro apps you have open. That's another problem with the whole system; everything is hidden and requires a swipe in or right click! On any screen over 10", there is no need to do this! Why is it hidden when I have more than enough room on a 20" 1600x900 pixel display? It's lunacy!

The speed enhancements, the native USB 3.0 support, the built in Windows Defender suite, all of this is rendered meaningless by an operating system that throws away usability and user friendliness in hopes of trying to squeeze into the tablet and smartphone market. Just because those two markets are the fastest growing segment of tech does not mean that the desktop and laptop platforms are dead. To kill off the features that make a desktop or laptop a productivity powerhouse to try and force users to join the new mobile paradigm is a stupid move. Users don't like being told what is right for them.

The worst part? This is the future of Windows. Microsoft isn't going to go back! Do yourself a favor and just give a distribution of Linux a try. Burn one to a DVD and install it; you may find you like a lot of features

Pros: Looks different and intriguing. Does pique you interest somewhat with all the colored boxes that can be moved around - but why?

Cons: Feels like Vista production all over again except that it is significantly more counter-intuitive and frustrating every step of the way.

Other Thoughts: Stick with Windows 7 excellence and familiarity for as long as you can.

Pros: I sat here for a full minute trying to think of something to put here. I've got nothing.

Cons: Where do I start? If I put everything here, there wouldn't be enough room on the web page. I have been a loyal Windows user since the Windows 3.1 days, and am not anti-Microsoft. I just think this OS is the mix between a train wreck and a plane crash. Here is the condensed version:
1. No Start Menu. This has been the staple of Windows for 18 years, but this version of Windows jerks the rug out from under you. (That is literally what it looks like as the Metro screen sweeps in.) It shouldn't take a third-party app to return Start Menu functionality either.
2. The Control Panel doesn't have any of the controls in any of the same places I am used to seeing them. This is especially annoying for an IT professional that has been going the same general places for 18 years to change settings.
3. I don't have a touchscreen, so the Metro interface is just plain annoying to use with my mouse.
4. The metro screen looks like a epileptic-inducing Vegas casino sign.
5. The whole thing just sort of seems like an immature product - bandaided together and thrown out there.

Other Thoughts: I am going to hold out for the next version. Hopefully Microsoft will take this negative feedback to heart and produce something better in the next version. Historically, it has been unwise to adopt the first version of a new line of Microsoft software.

Pros: It works with Microsoft Office.

Cons: This software is the most anoying OS I have ever used; I will have to say I would be highly annoyed if I paid 139.00 dollars for this. I would rather use windows NT than this. Wonder what was going throught the minds of MS designers when they released this OS. There may be a way to set this up so it is an acceptable OS but I don't see myself spending time making repairs on something that should be shinney and new.

Other Thoughts: I will have to say that I didn't try this on a touch screen. I think Microsoft needs to decide where they are going and then go first class. I do like their word processing software not sure if it is worth the money but MS windows 8 should be free as there are better OS systems for free.

Pros: Stability: has been comparable to Windows 7 if not better.

Speed: Modest speed. Faster response time from Notification Area Icons.

Security: built in antivirus

Cons: The introduction of Metro brings a learning curve and is definitely intended for the tablet environment. It has no place for the desktop computer. Especially when considering the lack of a start button.

Metro is my only frustration with Windows 8.

Other Thoughts: The new minimalist look to the desktop and windows has grown on me.

There are obvious ways around the new start environment, some are fortunately free. My current favorite alternative is Classic Start Menu. With it I've disabled the "Active Corners" and skipped the Metro Screen while replacing the missing start menu.

I highly recommend going to a store to demo this OS.

This copy of Windows 8 Pro was installed on a Gateway P-6831FX machine. Specs: 4GB RAM, Intel Core Dual 1.83GHz, GeForce 8800M GTS, 7200rpm hdd.

Pros: Faster boot time and overall faster feel than win7.
More modern look in desktop mode

Cons: No media plug in for DVD play back.
Default games are gone

Other Thoughts: MS will send you a free product key to install media center, which will playback DVD's.
Like others have stated, Classic shell lets the os boot to the desktop and restores the start button.
I think the os is just fine once you dispose of the tablet/smart phone mode.

Pros: Fast, stable, ready for voice, gesture and touch control but works with a mouse and keyboard also. I am running it on a 4 year old laptop without touchscreen and it runs better than when the laptop was new. I have had Linux, Vista, XP and 7 on this laptop and it runs the best on 8.

Cons: People complaining about start menu being gone. Free software from iObit or Emerge will get you a better start menu. iObit will skip metro screen all except for a flash at start up.

Other Thoughts: Free software from iObit or Emerge will get you a better start menu. iObit will skip metro screen all except for a flash at start up. I run docks so I hide the activity bar anyway, so I could survive without the start menu I use the iObit start menu program but keep it hidden and rarely use it. Simple right click anywhere on desktop, then left click on start menu and it is there.

On windows 7 I use Emerge and docks, depending on the computer and its use I sometimes keep the Emerge Shell showing, much better setup for me than anything Microsoft has ever put in Windows.

That is the beauty of Windows is it is easily customizable and usually for free. That is still true for 8, but 8 is the fastest version of Windows I have ever used. Good riddance to MS Media Player I never used it anyway. I download VLC and have all the media features I need.

There have been a few little glitches like sometimes it hangs up on shutdowns, but it rarely happens and the few other bugs seemed to of been fixed quickly in updates.

Pros: Fast and clean, installs over Win7 without losing any of your data, built in "trim" support for solid state drives,
Bitlocker works well, and you have access to plenty of apps. Hyper-V virtualization works great if your hardware supports it, though it is not an "xp mode" like 7 had.
Fast startup/shutdown and the desktop (if you can find it) is like a safe harbor.
Disk errors that would kill earlier versions now can auto repair (found out the hard way when I removed my Linux partition and messed up the partition table)

I like it so far, and have organized the Metro screen to be fairly useful when I need it.

Cons: Metro screen is not my thing. A lot of functions are pretty much only available by hot keys and searching (Win-W and Win-S).

Some older machines flat-out won't work with Windows 8 because of "advanced" bios settings needed.

Some of the default programs/apps are kind of "what, seriously??" garbage. You will definitely have to tweak it.

Some items are awkward (networking seems ... weird ... to set up or reconfigure). Media center is a separate download, and I think it costs $10.

Other Thoughts: Two words - "Classic Shell" - Google it, install it, enjoy it. You will still have to dip into the Metro stuff occasionally, but going straight to the Desktop takes away a lot of the learning pains.

I went from Win7 on my laptop, and it carried everything over fine. My other two computers I upgraded from XP so it was a clean slate install. No major issues.

It was a great deal during the initial $40 upgrade time, and you could download Media Center free. Now, I don't know if I would choose 8 over 7, other than the fact you are getting the latest and "greatest" Win OS.