Microsoft introduced its new Windows 8 operating system Thursday morning at an event that was live-streamed from New York, led by CEO Steve Ballmer. The software will be available starting midnight Oct. 26.
PC Magazine published an extensive review of the product based on a "released to manufacturing" version, which is the version given to manufacturers to bundle into their hardware.
Ultimately, writer Lloyd Case concluded, "Windows 8 offers performance improvements, a new file system, easier recovery from system problems, better cloud integration, and numerous minor enhancements. However, the Start screen seems to overshadow all the cool new stuff."
He added that Windows 8 isn't for everyone and strict desktop PC users shouldn't bother with an upgrade. For mobile users who need access to Microsoft's complete ecosystem, though, he said it is a good fit.
Features:
The biggest difference between Windows 7 and Windows 8 is that Windows 8 is touch- sensitive, a necessary innovation to compete in the mobile world.
Also there is no way to boot up to the traditional Windows desktop using this system, rather you boot in directly to Windows 8.
There's also a new look with colorful tiles that fill the screen instead of a column menu when you click the "Start" button.
PC noted, "Except for the omission of a Start menu, the desktop mostly behaves the same in Windows 8 as it did in Windows 7. ...Ultimately, navigating the new desktop is similar to getting around the old version, but the absence of a full Start menu may throw you off at first."
The event was also used to launch Windows new app store which will be available to all users of Windows 8 and Windows RT.
Windows 8 will come pre-installed on almost all new PCs.
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