More on Windows 8 and Office 2013

Now that Windows 8 has officially been finalized for release on October 26, and Office 2013 (aka Office 15) not far behind, reactions have been mainly confirming original impressions.

As usual, I rely on Woody Leonhard for all things Microsoft.  His take on Office 2013 boils down to “don’t bother.”  The key parts of his review in Office Watch are as follows:

“The interface changes range from the petty (the Office 2013 ‘look’) to screen gobbling menus which may make sense on a touch screen but are a nuisance for most of us. The new ‘flat’ look for tabs and ribbons makes it harder to visually separate items. The whole look seems more like change for the sake of it rather than an improvement to benefit users.

“Laptop and netbook users will likely hate Office 2013’s grab of valuable screen space, some of which is pointless for non-touch users, which is most of us.

“It may be that Office 2013 will make sense for Windows 8 users with the yet-unseen touch devices – but for people using a computer right now in the real world (not Microsoft’s fantasy land) it’s hard to see much worth the price of upgrading.”

And Woody's latest review of Windows 8 is entitled "Windows 8 -- Yes, it's That Bad"

Windows 8 will be shipping with the interface formally known as Metro. Apparently Microsoft has gone to a lot of work to make it difficult for people to default to a Windows 7 interface. But as always, third parties will come up to make Windows work the way you want it to.  Perhaps the most scathing report is J. Peter Bruzzese’s column “How to Make Windows 8 Less Nauseating” – which he means literally. Perhaps only partly tongue in cheek he notes that the way Windows 8 spins up on a 24 inch, non-touch screen makes him physically nauseous. Fortunately he lists some companies that offer workarounds.

A Tech Republic survey of close to 2,000 IT people indicated that less than 20% intended to upgrade to Windows 8. The two main objections to Windows 8 were the lack of a Start Menu and the massive amount of training that will be required.

So I still feel comfortable with my recommendation: if your main production machine is a desktop or laptop computer, upgrade to Windows 7 now (if you haven’t already) and avoid Windows 8 like the plague.

Comments

[local internet marketing services]

“Laptop and netbook users will likely hate Office 2013’s grab of valuable screen space, some of which is pointless for non-touch users, which is most of us." This is very true. This is a wake up call for Office maker to improve more with their inventions.

[Used Macbook Pros]

So I still feel comfortable with my recommendation: if your main production machine is a desktop or laptop computer, upgrade to Windows 7 now (if you haven’t already) and avoid Windows 8 like the plague.

[Meeting Table]

Windows 8 has been shipping with the interface formally known as Metro.

[Really Easy Cart]

Windows 8 is an upright operating system for the hardcore pc users but the office tools are awesome. IT is an essential part of it where multiple tasks are enabled.

[Steve Stockstill]

Hi John, just a quick update on the release of Windows 8.

Windows 8 was released for download last week (8/15/2012).
TechNet and MSDN subscribers as well as PC makers received access.