Windows 8 consumer preview to be revealed tomorrow.

[terrannova]

It's very responsive and fast, boots faster as well.

Compatibility with software and hardware should be 100%, anything which works on windows 7 should work with it.

The only problem I found is that Ati don't have a catalyst control centre for it yet, just a driver.

I reverted back to my win 7 image but will install it later with the driver in terranova's link.

Thanks btw.

No problem.

Yeah I was getting frustrated until I found the new AMD Radeon drivers, then it just all got so much better. Catalyst Control Center works great.

So far I'm liking it a lot. It's very fast and responsive. Much better than the Developer release last year. I think I'll stay with it permanently on my Media Server PC. The only issue I've run into is PowerDVD will not start, but right now VLC Media Player 2 works fine anyways.

The app store is limited right now but I can see that growing exponentially when the masses pick this up. As soon as 8 Tablet is out and about there is going to be huge demand for apps.

I'm finally getting used to the Metro interface, once you figure out all the options are in the corners, and how to properly close each app, it just gets so much better. The windows key on the keyboard brings up the main Start screen at any time.

[powerarmour]

Well, played about with this Beta for an hour or so...

One thing I've found out, if you don't fancy connecting to your Windows Live account you can't really do a lot other than play a couple of games and use the desktop..., also Xbox Live integration is fairly substantial now, it makes the PC feel like a big console...[chin]

Again it's fast, faster than Win7 surely, but I do miss the old Start Menu more than I thought I would. I know all I need to do is type to find a program, but I miss being able to click through menus with a mouse still tbh.

Its like they frankensteined two OS's into one, I wish they'd actually stripped more out of the 'Win7' desktop to make it more basic and a better fit to Metro, having to still go into the desktop control panel to set stuff up how you want it because there isn't enough options in Metro settings is just a bit...odd.

They should have took ideas from Ubuntu Unity which uses the desktop as the base environment but tacks on Tablet/Touchscreen functionality, instead of a Tablet/Touchscreen based environment with a tacked on desktop.

Part of me feels like Win7 might be the last MS desktop OS that I'll actually buy right now...

[EarthAtGates]

Ew Xbox Live?

[FoodStampz]

I might have to download it and give it a go. I wonder how it integrates with WP7. Guess I will have to be the Guinea pig! :D

[DuranXL]

So can you turn off the damn touchscreen huge buttons and get win7s desktop+taskbar back?

[terrannova]

Yeah on a touch screen I can see Metro being great, even on a media PC hooked up to your TV, but on a normal desktop like this gaming system I'm typing on right now I'm still not sure if I'd leave it enabled or disabled. That opinion will hopefully be determined in the next few weeks as I play around more with the beta.

[QuadDamage]

Thanks for input guys. I'll give it a try.

[Metusion]

I remember when everyone was b*tching about tablets and how they wouldn't be accepted by the masses..Now that we know that was hogwash I see the same with windows 8.. Some people want to stay in the past and when a company like MS finally innovates it still isn't good enough. I for one welcome these changes and am looking forward to the final windows 8 product. I understand some of the concerns, but with things becoming touch more and more, I think that MS made a very good move here.

[QuadDamage]

Abso-****ing-lutely. Some people still use Windows XP because it's "simple and fast without all the crap" can you believe this ****. Heh.

[blackstar]

someone who likes multitasking tried it?

can someone post a screenshot of the games tab for us? (winkey+printscrn and it saves a screeny).?

is anyone going to buy this?