Windows 9 Details Expected In Early February

The question whether Windows 9 will bring along something major or just more refinements is a rather difficult one to answer. Doubly so with rumors that this version is on track to hit RTM status this year.

Go back a year or so and most pegged the Windows 9 release date as late 2014.

That is, obviously, the normal timeframe where Microsoft outs its latest operating systems, towards the end of each year. Then came the gossips that Windows 9 could see daylight in April 2015 — a bit out of character for Redmond, but with all the changes the company is going through, not entirely unexpected.

And just a few days back WZOR, the same person that has leaked pretty accurate details about Microsoft in the past, said that Windows 9 is to hit RTM in October, this year.

Now the famous leaker is back with more tidbits.

He hints that new information about Windows 9 could surface sometime in early February, though it is not yet clear whether these will be official details from Microsoft or via third-party unofficial channels.

There are some that believe work on Windows 9, the next major version upgrade of Windows, is to be started in April, right after the BUILD conference. Others think that Microsoft has been building this version of the OS for a while now, or at least laying the groundwork for it in some form..

In any case, we should have some solid ideas about what is in store for us with Windows 9 in just a couple of months’ time — officially or otherwise.

Unboxing – Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro

So I got done with unboxing the Sony Tap 11 and the next unit I am taking out of the box is the Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro laptop.

This time, it’s a pure laptop from Lenovo and the build actually feels like a premium unit.

General Impression

So this is the fancy Lenovo that you can fold all the way around until it becomes a tablet. It’s a laptop but with the flexibility, you can make it a tablet.

The Yoga 2 Pro is an evolution of last year’s IdeaPad Yoga 13. It measures 0.61 inches thick, weighs just over 3 pounds, and the screen resolution is 3200-by-1800.

The Yoga 2 Pro uses Intel‘s fourth-generation Core processors. The basic configuration has a Core i3 processor, 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of solid state storage and lists for $1,050, though Lenovo is currently offering a $100 discount through its website.

Where to Purchase

Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro on Amazon

The Photos

                       

My review of Windows 8.1

Here’s my review of Windows 8.1.

So Windows 8.1 is here and after checking it out and reading about all the benefits it brings, it still doesn’t resonate with me.

I made the move to Windows 8 because I found a really great deal at Staples where I was able to get Windows 8 Pro for $59.99. My PC was pretty quick but after using Windows 8 on a test laptop for so long, I wanted to see what it would be like to move my production PC to the new Operating System.

The result was mixed to be charitable and I’ll tell you why.

Start Screen

The new start screen in Windows 8.1 is less disruptive than it was in Windows 8 but the same issues remain. It’s simply not relevant to the way I work. I use a desktop and do not use ANY of the new functions on the Start Screen.

None. Not. Even. One.

I got Start8 and that’s gone now.

Start Button

Not to re-litigate this issue or kick this dead horse but I still want my Start Button. I live in a world where I like to be able to type out “cmd” really quickly and keep my productivity going. Once again, Start8 solves this problem.

Performance

My PC is not faster with this new OS. There are some functions that are quicker like file copy but I find that opening and closing apps and documents is EXACTLY the same experience I had in Windows 7.

Even startup times from sleep aren’t significantly faster for me than Windows 7. Sure Windows 8.1 gets me to the login screen faster but it still takes a while to log back in from a dead sleep – at least for me and my PC ( an HP, 3GHZ, 64Bit AMD PC with 8gigs of RAM).

Scrolling

Microsoft have refined the scrolling motion so that a mouse scroll takes you from left to right across the screen. That’s cool when you’re in the start screen or Metro apps but I fundamentally disagree with the entire concept of the horizontal scroll.

We read websites vertically all day so the concept of scrolling across makes no sense to me. It’s particularly silly in cases like the Windows Store when you are scrolling from left to right trying to:

1. Find information
2. Avoid scrolling too fast
3. Keep track of what you’re scrolling past

I find that to be a less than ideal experience.

Software

I can’t name one Metro app that I NEED. Nuff said.

Bottom Line

I may not be a typical use case but I feel like Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 simply were not made for me.

SkyDrive integration is cool but I simply don’t need it, I already have other cloud options of my own. The fact that the Metro interface is not a place where I plan to spend any time eliminates a lot of the user benefits that Microsoft have crafted for people like me.

Bing integration and searches are very cool but once again, I use Google and am in the desktop most of the time.

The new IE? Looks great I guess but I have so many bookmarks in Chrome that I am a Chrome user for life. I’m also one of those people who think that IE has had way too many chances to get web browsing right and Chrome came in and did what Microsoft should have done a long time ago – made the browsing experience quick, fun and useful.

The Windows Snap etc and other functions are also cool but… you know the rest.

I have been studying Windows 8 for 4 years now and it seems to me like the features are cool but will lose a lot of people.

Have you ever been to a really beautifully designed home where everything looks immaculate BUT you didn’t feel comfortable in it – like you could just hang out and kick up your feet?

That’s the way I feel. Microsoft have built a really beautiful house with a lot of beautiful stuff that I really don’t need and want. I think that some people will like this but a lot of people will upgrade because Apple and Linux aren’t viable desktop Operating Systems yet.

I continue to think that Microsoft made a mistake merging Operating Systems and think that two separate Operating Systems would have been the way to go.

Maybe I’m old but that is HONESTLY the way I feel.

I don’t have a track record of blowing smoke up your asses or being diplomatic about this issue and this is true here as well. In many ways I am a tech dinosaur and I just like the way my PC runs.

I run a couple of different businesses on my desktop and I need to keep things running smoothly. Now to their credit, the upgrade process was smooth and I haven’t had support problems reinstalling any of my apps.

That is great.

However, I used a lot of desktop apps before (on Windows 7) and the majority of my time will be spent in the desktop going forward. It simply isn’t a use case for me to spend any time in the Metro environment every day.

Let me know how this Operating System feels to you – use the comments below....!!!!!!!!!

Let’s Hear It: Do You Want The Start Menu Back In Windows 8.1 Update 1?

So here’s the deal. The various reliable and not-so-reliable sources have hinted that Windows 8.1 Update 1 is about to bring back one of the most revered features of the Windows platform.

Yes, the Start Menu — or some form of it anyway.

Microsoft added back the Start Button in Windows 8.1 after doing away with it entirely. Sure it looks smooth, but anyone that was expecting it to bring the familiar Start Menu back in full capacity was left disappointed, as the Start Button simply takes users back to the Start Screen.

Many have moved forward and have grown accustomed to the Start Screen, but there still is a substantial amount of users that still want the Start Menu back in Windows to make it, what they label as, more user friendly.

Now the latest on the matter is that the Start Menu will not be here until Windows 9.

And this information comes straight from Mary Jo Foley and Paul Thurrott in their show Windows Weekly, and they claim that people close to the development of the OS have hinted that the Start Menu will only make its public appearance in April 2015, with Windows 9 (codenamed Threshold).

Windows 8.1 Update 1, however, will exclusively focus on other enhancements and improvements.

What do you guys and gals think of this development? Perfectly wise decision, or should Redmond have bit the bullet and returned the feature in Windows 8.1 itself as some wanted it?

Additionally, does this also mean that the Start Menu as we know it will not be back?

Is Microsoft planning to revamp and advance this popular feature? Let’s hear it!

Inter Chipset Device Software

This software driver package will install the Intel® HD Graphics driver for the Intel® Core™ i3 Processors, Intel® Core™ i5 Processors, Intel® Core™ i3 Mobile Processors, Intel® Core™ i5 Mobile Processors, and Intel Core™ i7 Mobile Processors and the Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator driver for Intel® G41, G43, G45, Q43, Q45 Express Chipset and the Mobile Intel® 4 Series Express Chipset Family. These drivers will not function with any other product. View the README file for installation information and the RELEASE NOTES for driver version details. This driver package contains version 15.17.18.2555 (8.15.10.2555) for Windows 7* and Windows Vista*.

Usage:

These software drivers are generic versions and can be used for general purposes. However, computer original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) may have altered the features, incorporated customizations, or made other changes to the software or software packaging they provide. To avoid any potential installation incompatibilities on your OEM system, Intel recommends that you check with your OEM and use the software provided by your system manufacturer.   

Intel and the computer original equipment manufacturer (OEM) may not provide technical support for some or all issues that could arise from the usage of this generic version of software drivers.