Future Microsoft Windows

[ThinkPad560X]

So Windows 8 is coming out soon and mainly requires a touchscreen, but still can use mouse/keyboard but really meant for touch. Does it look like this will be the future for PCs? Will the mouse and keyboard through out the years fade away.
And does anyone think Microsoft will make a next Windows version for a completely different config PC that Prevuis Windows starting with Windows 8 and below can't run on meaning no older PCs can't run "Saying Windows 9" unless you buy this next gen PC. Like trying to play a PlayStation 3 game in a PlayStation 1, not going to work. I've been keeping my IBM PCs up to date with the latest Windows version and was woundering if Microsoft would ever make a OS that current PCs cannot run. Like if you buy a Windows 8 PC and Windows 9 comes out, you can no longer upgrade your Windows 8 PC to Windows 9 as it uses a completed different config. This would be a half and half, Most people buy and stay up to date with the newest technology as if your like me stay with the old. Im still using my IBM ThinkPad X41 running Windows XP Professional, but using Windows 7 on my up to date Windows versions PC IBM ThinkCentre A50P Tower.

[loyukfai]

I don't like the direction Windows 8 is going either, at least, the perception of the direction I got with the limited exposure and understanding.

But there's not much I can do, I guess. So I'll wait and see how it goes. Maybe somehow it will bring a whole, new, and better experience, who knows.

If it doesn't, we've Mac OS X to fall back......... Just kidding. : )

And you don't really have to run the latest version of Windows, but I understand as a techie/geek it could be difficult to restrain yourself or exterminate the urge inside you.

BTW, judging by the history of Windows, the chance of a proper Windows 9 not able to run on Windows 8 machines is IMO, pretty very slim. Unless Microsoft decides to call Windows Phone 8 Windows 9 instead.

Cheers.

[dr_st]

Most of the complaints about Win8 seem to be about the hideous Metro UI. As far as I understood it is possible to turn it off completely. Am I wrong? Or will there be some unpleasant side effects?

Other than that, Win8 still seems to be the same NT6 (Vista/Win7) kernel, with the expected incremental improvements.

[pianowizard]

So Windows 8 is coming out soon and mainly requires a touchscreen, but still can use mouse/keyboard but really meant for touch. Does it look like this will be the future for PCs? Will the mouse and keyboard through out the years fade away.

Windows 8 will take better advantage of tablet touchscreens, but will work fine with just a mouse and a keyboard.

And does anyone think Microsoft will make a next Windows version for a completely different config PC that Prevuis Windows starting with Windows 8 and below can't run on meaning no older PCs can't run "Saying Windows 9" unless you buy this next gen PC.

I am >99% sure this won't happen. Through Vista, Microsoft learned that it's not a good idea to force people to buy new hardware. Remember that Microsoft claimed that Vista could run fine with only 1GHz PIII and 512MB of RAM? In reality, it didn't run well unless people upgraded to the latest technologies, i.e. Core2 Duo and at least 2GB of RAM. That's why Vista became one of the least popular Windows version ever, probably as unpopular as Millennium. I bet Microsoft will never make the same mistake again.

[loyukfai]

Most of the complaints about Win8 seem to be about the hideous Metro UI. As far as I understood it is possible to turn it off completely. Am I wrong? Or will there be some unpleasant side effects?

That's my perception too, that's, the Metro UI can be turned off, at least with regard to the Start Menu...? But I ain't following the news closely these days... Last time I heard it involved some registry hacks.

My main concern was not about the Start Menu, but that they're encouraging developers to a full screen model (trying to mimic iOS) for new apps, and that it's kind of difficult to switch back and forth between Metro apps and the traditional desktop/apps. Afraid that in the end it just becomes a hybrid that does neither (traditional desktop and portable tablet) well, while crippling the traditional desktop experience.

Seriously, I know so little about Windows 8, Metro and WinRT, and have no hands-on experience that I should stop commenting on this stuff now. My Win7 install is not going to stop booting anyway.

Cheers.

[ThinkPad560X]

I downloaded the Windows 8 Beta as I did for 7 back when it first came out, I need a demo drive in order to install it. I watched many reviews and Windows 8 has the option to install on a 3GB Flash Drive, yes a USB 3GB flash drive. Well has to be a 3GB and above. Windows switched to Classic Windows doesnt even come close, the Start area dont have any of the real lists like prevoius windows. I just like a desktop with the "My Computer, My Networks, My Documents, Internet Exploroer and the Recycle bin. I dont even think Shutdown is in the Win8 start menu, So its kinda like going back to Windows 3.11 again. But I will give Windows 8 a try. Im using Windows XP Pro still other than a CF card of Windows Vista and 7 witch 8 will be on one too. But Internet Explorer 8 will expire like IE6 witch some website apps require the latest IE version. Chat under FB requires IE 8 and above.

As what I was saying for Windows 8 can't be installed to the next gen Windows 9 PC systems, what I was saying was what if Microsoft joins some kinda of PC company to get rid of the old PC gen and switch to a completely new system. and make everyone have to buy the next gen system. Just like with having to Must buy a HDTV or getting rid of gas cars for Green cars.

[jayton4]

As what I was saying for Windows 8 can't be installed to the next gen Windows 9 PC systems, what I was saying was what if Microsoft joins some kinda of PC company to get rid of the old PC gen and switch to a completely new system. and make everyone have to buy the next gen system.

Like the others have already said, the likelihood of something like this happening is very slim. Microsoft lost out on many millions of $ of revenue on Vista because the corporate and enterprise side of the business that refused to upgrade from XP. New systems were produced with Windows XP as late as last year (2011).

Just like with having to Must buy a HDTV or getting rid of gas cars for Green cars.

My standard definition TVs still work great, and it may be another 100 years or so before gas cars are gotten rid of, so yes it is kind of similar.

[pianowizard]

I downloaded the Windows 8 Beta

What you downloaded was not Beta. It wasn't even Alpha. It was just a preview for software developers. In the coming months, we will see Alpha, and then Beta, and then the Release Candidate, before the final finished product, which will no doubt look and function completely differently from the Developers' Preview. I am sick of seeing people judge this pre-Alpha release as if it was the RTM version.

As what I was saying for Windows 8 can't be installed to the next gen Windows 9 PC systems, what I was saying was what if Microsoft joins some kinda of PC company to get rid of the old PC gen and switch to a completely new system. and make everyone have to buy the next gen system.

Read my explanation above again. It won't happen. In fact, after learning their lesson through Vista, Microsoft has been ensuring that people can upgrade to a new version of Windows without changing their hardware. Microsoft made Windows 7 (slightly) faster and (slightly) reduced its system requirements. Microsoft will try to make Windows 8 even faster and lighter, so that it can run well even on tablets.

[A31]

I have tried the Windows 8 Dev and it is fine, it ran everything I tried to install on it (Photoshop CS5, Office 2010, latest VLC Media Player) and speed wise it was the about the same as Windows 7. I don't know why people here think that Microsoft won't be selling 'Windows 9' as an operating system to buy and will only be selling it to OEMs and how you won't to be able to replace Windows 8 with 'Windows 9', I'm with pianowizard on saying that 'Windows 9' will likely still be sold as an "OS in a box", because if Microsoft only sell it OEMs they'd be loosing money and market share.

[loyukfai]

Seriously guys, get some wind and cool off. What's Windows 8...? Your unborn son...?

Cheers.