Windows 8 Deals - DPChallenge Forums

10/26/2012 05:09:48 PM · #1

Their all over the web, but if you don't follow, here's info.

You can download Windows 8 for $39.99... see here

You can get it from Staples for 39.99 too, boxed product. (I just ordered one): see here

Lastly, go to the microsoft site, do add products and register for a free serial number for Windows Media Center. You will be able to download it and use it once you install windows. See here

10/26/2012 05:15:39 PM · #2

waiting for the student edition pricing to hit.

RayEthier

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

10/26/2012 06:29:28 PM · #3

I might want to look further into that being I commit to purchasing anything. I saw something just the other day on Windows 8 and it really did not look all that user friendly.

Some folks who actually know about computers were hard pressed to turn in on and off and had no clue on how to navigate the thing.

I would be lost for sure.

Ray

RayEthier

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

10/26/2012 06:30:12 PM · #4

Originally posted by mike_311:

waiting for the student edition pricing to hit.

Wow... still a student... got to admire that.

Ray

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

10/26/2012 07:00:31 PM · #5

It's good to see that MS has finally gotten the hint and realized people will upgrade easier at a low price. This may be attractive to anyone still using XP. I may take advantage of it for my one PC that still has it. The Win7 machines are going to stay with 7, though.

I've been getting familiar with Win8 over the last few days, making sure all the hardware and software my company offers works with it. Not terribly impressed with the schizophrenic UI. I've got to go back and forth between the desktop and the metro screen depending on what I want to do. It just doesn't seem well integrated. I do realize this upgrade is tablet driven and I am sure Metro makes sense on a tablet. I am also sure there are some under the hood improvements, but the usability seems to be suffering. Perhaps I'll change my opinion with time, but my initial reaction is "Metro, Bleh."

10/26/2012 07:27:14 PM · #6

Yes, I'm on the fence about upgrading my desktop. My laptop is a convertible tablet (HP TM2) which was an easy decision. It already supports touch of course, but the new OS will breathe new life into it with better app support for touch.

Most of what I've read though is that the kernel is much faster in Win8. I agree about the metro interface being a bit of a nuisance on the desktop. But I think it's also a bit of a paradigm shift, and with nice apps for the new side of the UI, it might be worthwhile. For $40, which is only good until end of January, it might be worth the preinvestment for many...especially if you don't plan on buying new hardware in the next year or two. I've thought about buying a second copy just in case.

Make sure to get the free media center offer while you can!

10/26/2012 07:37:16 PM · #7

my htpc isn't getting the upgrade as media center hasn't gotten any improvements and its working just fine as is. im a sucker for the latest and greatest so my main desktop will be getting the upgrade.

10/26/2012 07:38:09 PM · #8

Originally posted by RayEthier:

Originally posted by mike_311:
waiting for the student edition pricing to hit.

Wow... still a student... got to admire that.

Ray

yep, unfortunately i can only go part time so its taking me forever, but i get to reap all the student deals in the meantime!

RayEthier

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

10/26/2012 07:46:06 PM · #9

Originally posted by mike_311:

Originally posted by RayEthier:

Originally posted by mike_311:
waiting for the student edition pricing to hit.

Wow... still a student... got to admire that.

Ray

yep, unfortunately i can only go part time so its taking me forever, but i get to reap all the student deals in the meantime!

You stick with it my friend... I went to university till I was 45 while holding down a full time job. I attended university four nights a week and took classes on Saturday afternoons. Managed to earn a few degrees and it proved very beneficial to me in my working environment.

I still take the occasional course and marvel at young people whose parents pay for their tuition... a lot of them simply just couldn't be bothered to make an effort.

Good luck to you,

Ray

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

10/26/2012 08:24:02 PM · #10

Originally posted by RayEthier:

...I went to university till I was 45..

Were you that old brown-noser in my astrophysics class, wrecking the curve for us young folk?

I wonder, will Win8 be worth it on non-touch PCs?

Message edited by author 2012-10-26 20:24:55.

PGerst

Canon EOS-20D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

10/26/2012 08:40:23 PM · #11

Problem is....at least for me, is this is an upgrade. I still need to maintain a full working XP system due to software incompatibility. Just waiting for the hack to come out. I'll probably go for 8....can't beat the price. Though, the system builder price is reasonable....but only if it can be installed more than once (on the same PC).

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/26/2012 10:37:36 PM · #12

The most interesting thing about windows 8 to me is bringing Windows to tablets, moreso than bringing a tablet OS to windows.

This is one cool example: //www.geek.com/articles/mobile/sony-announces-20-inch-11-pound-vaio-tablet-pc-with-windows-8-20121011/

Another is the Surface Pro tablet. I'm looking forward to that...a tablet that runs full windows programs! (Well, my convertible laptop is that, but it's still heavier than a tablet).

Message edited by author 2012-10-26 22:37:47.

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

10/26/2012 10:58:23 PM · #13

Surface pro has me fairly intrigued as well. Mainly for work. I do like my iPad though.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/26/2012 11:23:05 PM · #14

And for those who want the start menu back:

//classicshell.sourceforge.net/

(free)

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

10/27/2012 01:25:02 AM · #15

Amazon had it for $38 (after $30 credit).... Got mine this afternoon but going to put it on a second machine as I full expect MS to eff up the drivers for older scanners and other stuff and not sure what software really works yet (yeah I saw the community list)......

hajeka

Canon RF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS USM

10/27/2012 04:10:38 AM · #16

Originally posted by Neil:

And for those who want the start menu back:

//classicshell.sourceforge.net/

(free)

Thanks for this link! I just upgraded (took a while), (almost) everything seems to work well. Had to recalibrate my monitors. The interface looks nice, but I was missing this handy button (at least for the moment).

MikeO

Fujifilm x100

10/27/2012 04:17:27 AM · #17

Originally posted by hajeka:

Or you can access them on the new Start page by right clicking anywhere on the background and select 'All apps' which brings them all onto the screen and much easier to access(in my opinion).

Upgraded yesterday and am very impressed with W8. Only problem I had was that my Kaspersky Pure was 'incompatible', so I had to uninstall it and download Kaspersky Internet Security 2013. Only problem is my original License for Kaspersky does not work with the newer version so in trial mode with it. Waiting for Kaspersky to get back to me.

Message edited by author 2012-10-27 04:23:36.

10/27/2012 07:55:42 AM · #18

Originally posted by DrAchoo:

Surface pro has me fairly intrigued as well. Mainly for work. I do like my iPad though.

Be careful, there are two versions of window 8. RT which is for ARM tablet processors and the normal win 8 made for IBM architecture. RT won't run legacy software, you will need "an app for that". If you have legacy software ability, wait for an IBM based tablet.

cloudsme

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM

10/27/2012 11:07:31 AM · #19

Is this the Windows Challenge thread?

DrAchoo

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/27/2012 12:00:23 PM · #20

Originally posted by mike_311:

Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Surface pro has me fairly intrigued as well. Mainly for work. I do like my iPad though.

Be careful, there are two versions of window 8. RT which is for ARM tablet processors and the normal win 8 made for IBM architecture. RT won't run legacy software, you will need "an app for that". If you have legacy software ability, wait for an IBM based tablet.

That's why I said Surface Pro...

kirbic

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

10/27/2012 03:09:38 PM · #21

For those who have bought systems with Win7 loaded recently to get the upgrade for $15.

PGerst

Canon EOS-20D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

10/27/2012 03:11:10 PM · #22

Does anyone know if you can keep WinXP running or is it following the same upgrade scheme as win 7? I haven't searched for the hack yet.

kirbic

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

10/27/2012 04:30:42 PM · #23

Originally posted by PGerst:

Does anyone know if you can keep WinXP running or is it following the same upgrade scheme as win 7? I haven't searched for the hack yet.

Not sure I understand the question... if you need access to XP because of a legacy program, you might be able to run the legacy program under an XP virtual machine. Whether that is workable for you depends on the nature of the legacy app, specifically if and how you need it to interact with other apps.

hajeka