Windows 8

Will 'normal' Windows users want a Start button for Win 8?

Readers of this blog -- other than my mom (hi, mom!) -- are not normal, regular users. Sorry, you/we are not.

"Normal" users are people who get their work (and play) done on Windows, but who are not techies or those who write about them. They are the people who are not likely to have done any real testing of Windows 8 so far. And they are the people who are either going to love or hate Windows 8 when they get to use it in retail stores for the first time next week.

They are the &… Read more

Start menu resurfaces on Samsung's Windows 8 PCs

Windows 8 users who still miss the Start button will find an alternative on Samsung's new lineup of computers and tablets.

Buyers of Samsung Windows 8 PCs and tablets will be able to download a free Quick Starter program, which adds a Start button and a toolbar to open your files and applications.

The S Launcher program that lets Samsung users access the Start menu replacement was initially supposed to come with new PCs and tablets. But a Samsung rep confirmed to ZDNet in August that the launcher would not appear in the final products. Instead, it will be … Read more

Oops! Microsoft outs Surface RT prices, starting at $499

Editor's note: Pricing on the Surface has since been confirmed. Click here for more details from the official announcement post.

Microsoft's Surface tablet pricing has been outed by the software giant.

Earlier today, Surface pricing was posted on the Microsoft Store online site. Not long after, the page was taken down, seemingly because the pricing information was put up on the site before it was supposed to go live. However, TechCrunch was able to snap a screenshot of the page before it was taken down.

Based on that screenshot, it appears Microsoft will sell its Surface with Windows … Read more

Windows 8 delivers the goods on benchmarks

CNET Labs has released its system benchmarks comparing Windows old and new, and they've discovered that Microsoft's controversial new operating system doesn't steamroll over Windows 7 as much as it gently shoves it out of the way.

Operating system Boot time Shutdown time MS Office performance iTunes decoding Media multitasking Cinebench Windows 7 SP1 45.2 7.7 408 127 343 16985 Windows 7 SP1 47.5 7.8 412 124 344 17,116 Windows 8 RTM 31.4 8.8 372 123 340 15,300 Windows 8 RTM update 26.4 11.7 367 123 340 … Read more

Brace yourself: Microsoft Surface ad barrage may start tonight

Microsoft is expected to begin airing the first of its TV ads for Microsoft Surface on October 15, possibly during Monday Night Football and "Dancing with the Stars."

Windows Supersite Editor Paul Thurrott tweeted about the alleged timing of the ads, based on information from unnamed sources, on October 15. Thurrott also tweeted that he's been told that Microsoft is spending $400 million on its Surface ad campaign -- plus whatever it's spending on its Windows 8 ad campaign. Microsoft kicked off its U.S. TV commercials for Windows 8 on October 14 in … Read more

Microsoft Surface tablet goes all a-Twitter

Microsoft is now spreading the word about Surface via Twitter.

The Windows 8 tablet got custody of its own Twitter account this weekend, with only two tweets so far but more than 6,600 followers. Both tweets point to a new promotional video starring Surface, with one tweet focusing on the music behind the ad.

The new tablet is also getting some Facebook love. Its new page on the social network mimics that of the Twitter page, pointing to the same video ad. More than 7,000 fans have given the thumbs up to Surface's new Facebook page.

Microsoft … Read more

Microsoft bakes Xbox Music into Windows 8

Microsoft plans to use the full force of its dominant Windows operating system to challenge iTunes and Spotify in the digital music business.

The software giant has baked its new 30-million-track Xbox Music service into Windows 8, making it the default way for users to listen to songs. The service, which CNET first reported in February and the company announced in June, will let users stream music for free, creating custom playlists, as long as they're willing to hear occasional ads. They can also subscribe to an ad-free version for $9.99 a month. And users can buy and … Read more

Top 5 reasons not to upgrade to Windows 8

Windows users have a lot to be excited about. With Windows 8 launching on October 26 and a slew of new hardware coming off the assembly line, this is the biggest reinvention we've seen of Windows since the launch of XP.

But some people are less than excited about the change. Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols from ZDNet has no qualms calling this "the worst Windows version to date." Similarly, Ed Bott has a list of tips on how to skip Windows 8 and stay with Windows 7.

So in advance of the deafening marketing roar we're likely … Read more

Windows 8: Ready, set, preorder

For those who still haven't gotten their hands on the Windows 8 release-to-manufacturing bits via MSDN, TechNet, BizSpark, volume licensing or some other channel, Microsoft is making available via preorder the Windows 8 upgrade media as of October 12.

Those interested in obtaining reserved packaged DVD of the upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $69.99 can place their orders via Amazon.com, Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, the Microsoft Store and other retailers. Newegg is another outlet taking preorders, as my ZDNet colleage Ed Bott noted this morning.

Those looking to build their own PCs or install Windows … Read more