Windows 8 Review - Walt Mossberg Reviews Windows 8

WSJ Personal Technology Columnist Walt Mossberg reviews Microsoft's Windows 8, the company most significant overhaul of the operating system in more than 15 years.

More from the Wall Street Journal:

[jynylr]

The problem here is is that MOST people are knocking Windows 8 before they try it OR they're trying an old release preview or consumer preview. What people need to do is get the final version of Windows 8 that's being sold and then make sure ALL of their drivers are properly updated for Windows 8 INCLUDING if they have a laptop, touchpad drivers. Then give themselves a little while to adjust and will probably find that Windows 8 is not bad. The desktop is there, all of their productivity there.

[telltellyn]

Look at all the people terrified of change. All the reviews for Windows 8 have been fantastic, and it does everything Windows 7 did.

People only say they hate it because they can't be bothered learning to use it.

[VintageCars]

It's not that people are afraid of change, it's just that some users are used to doing it a certain way and it works. Computers are tools, not everyone uses them as a toy and that's what i see with Windows 8. It's a toy and a good number of users won't change to the new style without a fight.

[Palmroxx]

Windows 8 is what's making everything "lazier" and less about "do it yourself". I want to control my computer, not being walled in by the computer and telling me what I should or shouldn't do with it.

[TalkativeTanner]

I'm sorry, but i'm tired of people being fools.
Windows 8 has a DESKTOP button. The 'Live Tile' system is only the Start Screen. Once you click on the Desktop button, it's all normal. People just don't realize this.

[telltellyn]

They didnt remove the desktop, or wallpapers, and the start menu is just the start screen. Absolutely ALL of Windows 7 is in Windows 8.

[telltellyn]

A UI crossing between desktops, tablets, phones and consoles is not an inherently bad idea. There are some short comings right now (by most accounts Windows 8 is more slightly awkward to use with a mouse), but when they can get it right it will be fantastic. Especially since they can then share the same kernel.

People are just complaining for the sake of complaining. If the interface works on both desktop and a tablet, and its great on both, what is the problem?

[kweebster]

do you have to have it touch screen or is it optional like if I wanted to use a keyboard could I plug in my keyboard and I could use it?

[telltellyn]

You should check whether or not its xsplit compatible.

Windows 8 has Windows 7 inside it, so minus to aforementioned compatibility issues you won't be missing anything.

[maccarulez]

Cheers for uploading this video, was quite interesting to say that least, but can't wait till Friday or Saturday till I get mine in the post. ;)

[theinterportal]

I think Windows 8 is the revival of a previous Microsoft development, the Surface (not the new tablet). Microsoft Surface had similar controls to Windows 8 but its radical touch only UI was trimmed down to pacify the Start button era people

[kiewerleraz]

does the touch features work on a pc without touch screen? (sorry if its a really stupid question)

[Mcbebblestin]

People don't know but you can use the windows key on your keyboard to get to the desktop or metro UI

[Bezle]

is it worth upgrading from vista to this??

[cptsiskosf]

ever notice how every time that a company comes up with anything new people always have something negative to say

[IncensedPayload]

I got windows 8 in my laptop for christmas. Is there any way I can downgrade?

[cuttinedgeyk]

All this leads me to believe that windows 8 wouldnt have happened if facebook and twitter hadnt existed.

[Eyedunno]

I kind of agree. With Classic Shell installed, it works okay. It's still a step backwards as a desktop/laptop OS though, at least out of the box.

[Silligk]

ive tried out windows 8 on a laptop and it if you just ignore the weird looking start screen and the removal of the start button its pretty much windows 7....

[varmdoguy]

I don't mind Windows 8 as long as they keep it separate from normal pcs. I hope that they keep making normal laptops using kickass Windows 7.