Before you choose which system to use, Windows 8 or 10, you need to know how they differ. Let's look at the differences that everyone can encounter, and not at the system subtleties that are important only to developers.
Comparison criteria
When choosing the system on which you will work in the near future, do not forget to pay attention to the following points:
- appearance, design. It is worth considering that the color scheme can be customized and the interface can be personalized using system settings and third-party programs;
- performance. Different versions of the system will solve the same problems on the same computers in different times: some OS will take more time, some less;
- device support. Some modern devices only work with the latest version of Windows, and older ones don't always work with it. Although Windows 10 solves the latter problem with the help of compatibility mode;
- presence of functions. Microsoft's support for Windows 8 has officially ended, so new technologies and services invented by the company are not being added to the old operating system.
By comparing the two versions according to the criteria described above, you can understand which version is right for you. Feedback from people who have tested both Windows will also help you make the right decision.
Minimum Requirements
Minimum requirements are a list of the “weakest” components that make up the computer, the presence of which is necessary to install the system. If your graphics card, processor, or any other component doesn't meet the minimum requirements, you won't be able to upgrade to the new Windows. The only way out is to replace it with a modern and more productive analogue.
The minimum requirements for Windows 8 and 10 are the same. Although the latest version of the system has acquired a wider range of functions, good optimization made it possible not to increase the minimum performance level:
- 1 GHz processor;
- RAM - 1 GB or 2 GB for 32 and 64-bit systems, respectively;
- HDD or SSD disk with 16 GB or 20 GB of free memory for 32 and 64-bit systems, respectively;
- The video card must support DirectX version 9 or higher.
Design comparison
Windows 8 is very different from other versions as it has an innovative tile design. There is no traditional desktop; access to applications is provided through rectangular tiles. The user has the right to drag them, change colors and dimensions.
Windows 8 has a tiled design
Since the appearance of the G8 caused a lot of disapproval, Windows 10 returned the usual design: a desktop with shortcuts and the Start menu. The only difference is that now the system search bar is in a separate tab. The interface is similar to the presentation of Windows 7, but slightly modernized: unnecessary elements have been removed, system settings are organized and intuitive, window frames are flat and rectangular.
In Windows 10, the desktop and Start menu, familiar to Windows 7 users, have returned Which design is better and more convenient is up to you to decide. It is recommended to watch several videos comparing the appearance of one and the other system in order to understand how it looks in reality, in motion, and not in pictures.
Performance
You can find many tests on the Internet, their meaning is as follows: the same components are taken, the same versions of several systems are installed, and the same tasks are performed on them. As a result, the time it took for each version to cope with them is compared.
Speed of system processes
The graphs presented below clearly illustrate how quickly Windows 7, 8 and 10 cope with the work. From them we can conclude: in most cases, the “ten” wins.
Photo gallery: comparison of speeds of system processes Windows 7, 8, 10
Comparison via programs
To compare performance, there are also special programs that specifically load systems with various tasks, and then produce results for all points. According to the findings of these programs, Windows 10 wins in most cases.
Photo gallery: comparison of Windows 7, 8 and 10 performance using programs
Comparison in applications
Another way to determine the winner is to analyze the speed of the most popular applications: Excel, Mozilla browser, Adobe Photoshop, etc. According to the results of these tests, the tenth version of Windows is not always the first, but it is not far behind.
Photo gallery: Windows 7, 8 and 10 app performance comparison
Video: Windows 7, 8 and 10 gaming performance comparison
Differences in Features
Some functions of Windows 8 moved to the tenth version, others remained only in it, and others appeared only in the “ten”. The list below will help you understand what this or that Windows can do.
Virtual tables
Built-in support for virtual desktops appeared only with the release of Windows 10. In previous versions of the operating system, it was possible to work with multiple tables only after installing third-party programs.
By creating as many desktops as you like, you can divide the programs you use between them. For example, a browser and notepad will be open on one table, a photo and video editor on the second, and some kind of game on the third. In other words, the need for multiple desks may arise for people who work on many applications simultaneously, or for those who share their computer with other people and want to give them a separate desktop.
You can create multiple desktops in Windows 10 Video: How to use virtual desktops in Windows 10
Charms Bar
Charms Bar is a Start or Start menu that varies greatly across the Windows in question. In the “eight”, by pressing the key with the Windows logo (a square divided into four squares), the user brings up a whole set of tiles, providing access to applications and news. The menu opens in full screen and can be scrolled wide. The list of tiles located in the menu is initially proposed by the system itself, but can be changed by the user in the future.
Charms Bar occupies the entire screen and consists of tiles In Windows 10, the Start menu has taken on a more familiar appearance, although with a slight difference - the search bar, which helps you search for applications by name, has been moved to a separate window. By default, Charms Bar opens in a small tab that takes up about 1/6 of the screen and contains a list of all the programs in the computer's memory, as well as advertising and news tiles. The appearance, number of folders and blocks can be configured manually.
In Windows 10, the Start menu is smaller and looks similar to the Start menu in Windows 7 At the same time, Windows 10 has a full-screen mode, the activation of which will lead to the menu starting to open in the entire monitor.
Sync with OneDrive
OneDrive is a cloud service that allows you to store copies of many computer elements. To use it you will need a Microsoft account. You can send your photos, videos, some types of files, and even system backups to this cloud, with the help of which broken Windows can be restored in the future. The technology is supported in both Windows 8 and Windows 10.
Personal data can be stored on OneDrive so that if your computer breaks down, it can be easily retrieved Video: how to use One Drive
Standard browser
Like all previous systems, Windows 8 uses the standard Internet Explorer browser. Although it has been improved for a long time, it still lags far behind all popular browsers in terms of performance and the number of supported technologies. Of course, IE is capable of performing standard functions, such as viewing news and videos, but most users are in a hurry to replace it for many reasons.
Windows 8 uses the outdated Internet Explorer browser Windows 10 has introduced a replacement for the unsuccessfully updated Internet Explorer - Microsoft Edge. This browser is faster, more beautiful and simpler. Modern design and support for many modern technologies make it competitive. It may still be worse than most free analogues, but it is already more pleasant to use.
Windows 10 features an updated and competitive Edge browser Voice assistant
The voice assistant, named Cortana, appeared in the desktop version only in Windows 10. It is present in the mobile version of Windows 8 Mobile, but it was not in the computer version at this stage of Windows.
Using the assistant, you can open applications by voice, request data, perform some actions, for example, minimize or switch tabs, search for information on the Internet, etc. But you will need a microphone through which Cortana can hear you.
Windows 10 has Cortana, a voice assistant that lets you do simple things using just your voice At the moment, the assistant is not available in the Russian edition of Windows, so you will have to select a language supported by Cortana during system installation or after that by going to its settings. A complete list of languages that the assistant can interact with can be found on the official Microsoft website.
Xbox Games
At one of the conferences, Microsoft announced that all games released exclusively for Xbox One will become available on Windows 10. That is, a user with an Xbox Live account will be able to purchase a game released for the game console and play it on their computer. The games are not compatible with Windows 8.
On Xbox Live you can buy games from the console and play them on your computer Disc information
Windows 10 has a built-in service that provides detailed information about how HDD or SSD disk space is used. It shows how many megabytes each program uses, how much space certain files occupy. Of course, you can install additional programs on Windows 8 to get the same information, but in the latest version of the system, just go to the computer settings.
Windows 10 can provide detailed information about the disk and programs that are using up space on it Smart Split Screen
In Windows 8, there are the first signs that Microsoft is working on a feature that lets you split your screen instead of manually dragging windows around and formatting their sizes. It was possible to divide the monitor into two halves: one is given over to the desktop and everything that happens on it, and the second is under windows with system settings and parameters. Convenient, but not entirely practical.
The screen in Windows 8 can be divided into two parts Windows 10 has a full implementation of this feature. By dragging a window to the left or right side of the monitor and releasing it, you will create a screen that is divided into two parts. The dragged application will go into one part, and the application you select from the list of running ones will open in the other part. After this, using the arrows, you can divide the monitor into 3 or 4 blocks with different programs.
In Windows 10, the screen can be divided into 2, 3 and 4 parts Increased security
In Windows 10, there are more ways to set a password for an account. Thanks to Windows Hello technology, you can set the following identification methods: standard password entry, fingerprint recognition, pattern recognition, facial recognition. Of course, to analyze a fingerprint, you need a special touchpad, and to scan your face, you need a camera with support for Full HD and an infrared sensor.
You can set face or fingerprint identification to log in to Windows 10 Detailed comparison Windows 7 And Windows 8. The main innovations in Windows 8 are described, as well as a detailed comparison of its performance with Windows 7 in various applications and games.
General information about Windows
Some time ago, the final version of the new operating system from Microsoft - Windows 8. It has already been discussed on this resource, detailed installation guides have been prepared: , and , but the most important question was left without due attention: Is it worth installing Windows 8 at all?
This article, I hope, will help you decide whether it is worth installing Windows 8, what benefits you will get after installing it, and also what difficulties you will have to face. This material is a logical continuation of the previously published comparison of Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7:.
What's new in Windows 8
First, let's look at what innovations Windows 8 offers, what's new in it? The most obvious innovation is the updated interface. It is known as Metro or Windows 8 interface (Windows 8 UI). Its main feature is the start screen:
It contains application shortcuts, as well as so-called live tiles (live tiles). By and large, their main difference from labels is that the information on them changes, they themselves can change size. This is a kind of analogue of widgets from Windows Vista and Windows 7.
This start screen replaces start menu, from which Microsoft got rid of it in Windows 8. This is perhaps the most controversial innovation in the new operating system. Fortunately, it can be returned using third-party utilities. How to do this is described at the end of the article: .
Another innovation in Windows 8 is the so-called active angles. Mouse over to the right edge Desktop A small menu appears:
Looks a little unusual. If you move the mouse cursor close to the left edge, you can switch between applications. By the way, the applications themselves can work in two modes: in a desktop mode with a classic interface, and in a mode with a Metro interface, which is focused on working with touch screens.
Among other changes in appearance, it is necessary to note the abandonment of translucency and rounded corners in various interface elements. The operating system interface has become cleaner, so to speak, and began to work a little smoother. In many places it was changed and improved; the so-called Ribbon interface of control panels began to be used more often. This interface first appeared in Microsoft Office 2007, and then began to be used a little in other applications. In Windows 8, the same Explorer is equipped with a similar interface with the ability to hide it.
In addition to the interface in Windows 8 there was deep integration with Microsoft SkyDrive. This is a service for storing files in the cloud. To Work with Microsoft SkyDrive quite simple: there is a folder in the system SkyDrive, the contents of which are stored on Microsoft servers. If a file is moved to it, it is automatically sent by the system to the cloud storage assigned to the account Windows Live ID. This allows you to sync images, music, movies, documents and other files between different devices, and also allows you to share them with others.
U Microsoft SkyDrive, like any similar service, there are two main disadvantages:
- for its operation you need a fast and, if possible, unlimited Internet connection;
- Storage capacity is limited to several gigabytes. It can be increased for a fee.
In addition to various Microsoft files, Windows 8 allows you to synchronize system settings. This requires an account. Windows Live ID. Almost all settings except passwords are synchronized. If desired, their list can be configured in the system.
Account Windows Live ID also required to download and purchase applications in the built-in Windows 8 store Windows Store. This application store not only allows you to install applications, but also monitors their updates. Convenient, in a word.
In Windows 8, in addition to those mentioned above, there is a whole bunch of innovations: a new Internet Explorer, a redesigned Task Manager, a redesigned copy dialog, a redesigned system recovery mechanism, an ARM version and many others. We will not dwell on them in detail within the framework of this article.
Since the operating system is mainly used to run games and programs, it is very important at what speed they will work there. Therefore, let's move on to the most interesting part of this article - comparing the performance of Windows 7 and Windows 8.
Performance comparison between Windows 7 and Windows 8
To compare the speed of these operating systems, both synthetic performance testing applications and test packages based on real applications were used. The advantage of the former is greater accuracy and repeatability of the results, the advantage of the latter is greater compliance with real-life tasks. In addition to performance tests, the startup speed of the system and applications was measured.
Test conditions
To ensure accuracy, all measurements were taken on the same laptop and with the same versions of drivers, applications and settings. Comparison was carried out on a laptop Asus N61Vn with quad core processor Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000, 4 GB DDR3 RAM and with video card nVidia GeForce GT240M. 64-bit Russian versions were used Windows 7 SP1 Professional And Windows 8 Pro RTM with all updates available at the time of testing. The drivers for both systems were the same. Antivirus and other applications that can affect the measurement results were not installed, all settings were by default.
Comparison of Windows 7 and Windows 8 in games
To measure and compare performance in games and other applications that intensively use the graphics card, it is most convenient to use test packages from the family 3DMark. As practice shows, they give a fairly accurate idea of system performance in certain games.
3DMark2001 SE
Both systems showed approximately the same results with Windows 7 having a minimal advantage.
3DMark03
The tests were repeated three times. On Windows 7 the final result is slightly higher. As with 3DMark2001 SE, the difference is minimal.
3DMark06
In general the situation is similar to 3DMark03, but the gap is slightly larger (about 5%). The tests were also repeated three times. Let's look at the results for the subtests separately:
It is noteworthy that Windows 8 scored higher in the CPU test than Windows 7. In other tests, Windows 8 was slightly faster.
3DMark Vantage
3DMark Vantage is a more advanced and comprehensive gaming performance test. The situation there is generally similar to the results in other benchmarks in this series. To complete the picture, let's look at the benchmark results Heaven Benchmark 3.0.
Heaven Benchmark
In this test, Windows 8 performed slightly better. The gap is minimal.
Conclusions on tests of Windows 7 and 8 in games
Let's summarize the interim results of testing in gaming applications. As the measurement results showed, the gaming performance of Windows 7 and Windows 8 is approximately at the same level. If you are choosing which system to install on your gaming computer or laptop, then there is not much difference between Windows 7 and Windows 8.
Comparison of Windows 7 and Windows 8 when working with regular programs
To measure the speed of application programs, it is convenient to use test applications from the family PCMark. We'll start with PCMark05:
PCMark05
The results are on the same level. In case of PCMark05 Graphics Windows 8 scored suspiciously low. To study this issue in more detail, an earlier build of Windows 8 was installed and similar results were obtained there. Most likely this is due to an error in PCMark05.
Futuremark Peacekeeper
This test measures browser performance. In this case, a browser was used Opera versions 11.64 . Here are the results:
Windows 7 turned out to be a little faster, but the difference is not so great that we can talk about any significant advantage. Let's consider another similar test.
SunSpider
Windows 7 again performed slightly better, completing the test faster.
7-Zip
7-Zip is a fairly popular free archiver. More details about it are described here:. This archiver also has a built-in test. Here are his results:
Windows 7 showed approximately the same result as Windows 8.
Cinebench
Test application Cinebench allows you to evaluate performance in 3D modeling programs and other similar applications. As measurements have shown, both systems demonstrate similar results.
Windows boot speed
This is perhaps the only test where Windows 8 demonstrates significantly better results. Windows 8 actually boots much faster than its predecessor. Studies have shown that Windows 8 shutdown times are also shorter.
Application launch times remained subjectively at the same level. This is because it is primarily affected by the speed of the hard drive, not the operating system itself.
Conclusions from Windows 7 and 8 tests in application programs
The situation is generally similar to that in games. The performance of both systems is approximately at the same level, except for the abnormally low result in graphics tests in PCMark05. I was frankly pleased with the reduction in boot and shutdown times of the new operating system. That's a plus.
It's time to sum up the final results and try to clarify the question of what is better to install on a laptop or computer.
The final results of the comparison between Windows 7 and Windows 8
The results of the comparison in the form of individual theses:
- Windows 8 demonstrates approximately the same performance as Windows 7. Installing Windows 8 in order to significantly improve system performance in games or applications does not make sense;
- Windows 8 turns on and off much faster. If this is important to you, then it will suit you better than Windows 7;
- Windows 8 is best suited for use on touchscreen devices. If your laptop, monoblock or computer has it, then installing Windows 8 will significantly improve the usability of your work;
- With devices without a touch screen, things are not so simple. The fact is that Windows 8 was initially optimized for touch screen control. These optimizations are visible in many interface elements. The problem is that using a mouse and keyboard is not as convenient to use as we would like. Not everyone will like moving the mouse from one edge of the monitor to the other, getting used to pop-up menus, and new control methods. It's not even a matter of habits that have developed over the years of using previous versions of Windows. It's just inconvenient. Yes, you can get used to all this, turn on the Start menu using third-party utilities, configure it to immediately turn on the Desktop instead of the start screen, apply other settings, or you can simply install Windows 7 according to the guide:
Everyone can decide for themselves what is better than Windows 7 or Windows 10 in a practical way. To do this, just conduct an experiment and install the new build 1703 for PC on your old laptop. If the old versions of the “ten” worked with a system load comparable to Windows 8/8.1, then the latest build has become more voracious in terms of the device’s hardware resources. What can we say if Microsoft recommends for its future cloud version of the “tens” for educational institutions laptops based on at least 4-core Celeron processors with 4 GB of RAM. But this is a “stripped-down version of the ten”, designed to oust Chromebooks from schools. What then can we say about the normal operation of a full-fledged “ten” on old devices released during the Vista era. Only Windows 7 works more or less normally with them.
If you are looking for a replacement for Windows 10, then know that in addition to Linux distributions, you can simply use older but current versions of the OS. Even Win 8.1, despite the terrible METRO interface, is sometimes more profitable (especially if it’s licensed).
New system for new devices
The debate about which operating system is better - Windows 10 or Windows 7 - is resolved only when you have a relatively new device, which is 2-3 years old. Older ones will definitely work faster on the “seven”. Even installing a fast SSD drive won’t help (with it, version 7 of the system will become lightning fast).
There was a time when streaming Flash content played better on Windows 10:
- video;
- movies.
However, with the release of more optimized browsers and antiviruses (which significantly “load” the device’s hardware), it is easier to use Windows 7. That is, on older and weaker devices, Windows 7 is again more relevant. It can work on devices originally designed for Vista with single-core Celeron processors, while newer systems will not even be installed on such a configuration.
When choosing what to install on your computer - Windows 7 vs Windows 10 - you should proceed from the hardware of your device and personal aesthetic wishes.
After all, it is not news that not all users like the interface of the tenth windows.
Privacy and Security
In each banner, Microsoft claims that the new Windows 10 has become safer and more secure, that it is ready to offer the user much more than the old “seven”. But is this really so? Something similar was said about XP from 2001, whose network share is still higher than that of Windows 8.1.
Security refers to “patches” that cover potential OS vulnerabilities, and standard anti-virus software. Install a good antivirus on Windows 7, and you simply won’t need Windows 10. But universal metro applications have not become popular since the G8 (2012); they are still perceived as a tribute to universality with mobile platforms.
In addition to security itself, a large number of users are interested in the level of confidentiality of the new system.
And in this aspect, the “dozen” of all releases have enough problems. The corporation knows literally everything about users. Not many people would like someone to know their browser history, all the passwords and texts they typed on the keyboard, or view personal photos and videos. Although Microsoft claims that it encrypts all data, is it really so?
Glitches and automatic updates
To ensure up-to-date anti-virus protection and constantly improve functionality, Microsoft abandoned the practice of giving the user a choice when downloading updates. From now on, they are downloaded and installed automatically, without the user’s knowledge. In the first releases, this caused a lot of problems for users who lost unsaved data during reboots or suffered bugs that came with each new update. Utilities have even been released by third-party specialists that disable automatic updates, surveillance, and remove METRO applications.
Moreover, Microsoft's innovation (so-called cumulative updates) is not so much intended to help the user as to help the corporation reduce the load on its servers. If previously updates came to the device only when needed, now large (400-500 MB) packages are downloaded every Tuesday. And since, by default, each PC with 10 on board shares updates with computers over the local network, such packages are needed only so that the PCs themselves update each other, putting less load on the corporation’s servers.
Built-in Skype, viewing 3D content
The new release of tens 1703 finally allows you to update metro applications and download extensions for the EDGE browser on a local user account. The assembly includes integrated Skype and applications for developing and viewing 3D content. However, is it really needed if only specialists do it, and the standard browser has been used by a very small percentage of users since the days of IE6? Of course, if you have a license for Windows 10 and a new computer, then going back to Windows 7 is stupid, but you shouldn’t specifically look for a more outdated OS.
Every device must work what it was designed to do. The laptop worked on XP - most likely, it will work with difficulty on Win7. If the PC was running Vista or 7, there is no need to torture it with “ten” unless there is an urgent need for it. After all, all games and programs are released specifically for this OS, but with optimization for the top ten.
If you make a scrupulous comparison of what you will lose by installing the old system, it turns out that it is nothing special.
There is absolutely no point in buying the “tenth Windows” specifically.
Gaming computers and new OS
When the user uses the computer exclusively for gaming purposes and surfing, the best solution would be to use a newer operating system. It is corporate clients who need strict support for outdated software and paperwork. For the average user, a “good Windows” is the one that is newer. Moreover, users, as usual, will use its capabilities by a maximum of 10%. Users extremely rarely use standard software:
- browsers;
- record players;
- antiviruses.
They always try to replace them with third-party free or even hacked analogues, the same most often happens with the OS.
If we talk about gaming power, the latest releases of Windows 10 offer gamers ample opportunities: this includes a new DirectX library and a more optimized “game mode”. On Steam, subscribers for the most part have long since switched to a newer OS. And according to them on the forums, new games work with the “ten” much better than with its predecessors. By definition, a gaming computer has a lot of RAM, a powerful processor and video card, as well as a fast storage device; here the gluttony of the “ten” is almost unnoticeable.
Painful choice: what to do?
Before choosing which Windows to buy, weigh the pros and cons. And if version 7 is almost impossible to find in stores, then version 10 is quite expensive. It’s better to install a test build with a slow update cycle and see how it works on your device, evaluate whether the game is worth the candle. Very often it turns out that users, having overestimated the capabilities of their device, install an operating system on it that is not entirely compatible and then complain about it.
You cannot thoughtlessly install systems that are only nominally suitable for your device.
Literally one incorrectly working driver can negate all the achievements of the system and turn working on a PC into a real punishment.
But if frills and imaginary security are not so important to you, it is better to install a less demanding OS, and by definition this is Windows 7.
Desktop users have mixed reactions to the transition to Windows 8. Most users, before installing a new program (and an operating system, in fact, can be called a program), are interested in the experiences of other users on various computer forums on the Internet. This is, of course, good, but often users receive approximately equal numbers of completely opposite advice. This collective help often leads to poor decisions.
The main argument against Windows 8 is the erroneous opinion of most users that Windows Eight differs from Seven only in the presence of a Metro interface designed for working with touch screens. This is mistake. Thanks to the developed new kernel and the introduced new functions, the Eight will launch much faster. In addition, the new version of Windows supports new technologies, which leads to the implementation of new capabilities of hardware and connected devices.
Now let's look at the Metro interface. Traditional input devices, that is, a keyboard and mouse, can also work with it. In this environment, programs and games are launched with code that is significantly different from the codes of windowed applications. The simplicity of these programs and the content of a minimum number of control elements allows the computer (tablet, smartphone) to consume less system resources, which makes it possible to reduce the power consumption of the autonomous power supply. In general, using Metro mode can be used to improve device performance and save battery power.
Another argument against the G8 is the doubts many users have about its stability. This reaction of people appeared during the transition from Windows 98 to Windows XP. Back then, most applications could not be launched on the new system, and blue screens of death often appeared on the displays. The situation stabilized only after the release of Service Pack 2. After that, when a new version of Windows is released, users wait until the developers finally adapt it to the problems of the majority of users. But the release of stable Windows 7 showed that there is no need to be afraid of anything new. All applications released for Seven, Vista and XP will work in the Eight. For some programs, quickly oriented developers were able to make updates or new versions intended for the G8. All devices will be able to work with drivers installed under Windows 7. As a last resort, device manufacturers quickly respond to the emergence of new operating systems and promptly release new drivers that can be freely copied from the Internet. Problems can only arise for users of outdated computers, the devices of which manufacturers have long stopped supporting. But hardly anyone would want to install Windows 8 on such equipment.
Windows from Microsoft has long been ranked first in popularity among operating systems, unless, of course, we talk about mobile platforms. Microsoft itself periodically pleases us with updates, and every few years it releases a completely updated operating system. The latest at the moment is Windows 8 (8.1, to be precise, but in this case it does not matter). At first, users were simply afraid to update the system - it seemed so unusual and even complicated to them. However, after some time, everyone realized that there was nothing to be afraid of, and today version 8 of Windows OS is installed on almost every second computer.
However, there are always people who are completely satisfied with the operating system in its current form. And really, if someone is using XP, why should they upgrade to the latest version if they simply don't need it? However, a huge number of users are torn between 7 and 8 versions of Windows. What is better to install? I'll give you food for thought.
Pros of Windows 7
- Where to begin? Of course, from design. If you are accustomed to the laconic design of Windows, which dates back to the mid-90s of the last century, then it is better for you not to change anything. Moreover, this version of the OS has been studied inside and out so much that experts know it like the back of their hand, so if problems arise, it will be very easy to find a solution.
- The next point, which actually originates from the previous one, is the absence of a Start button. This is something that is truly almost impossible to get used to! To be honest, I don’t use this button very often, but in terms of convenience it has no competitors. Looking ahead a little, I note that returning the Start button in Windows 8 is very easy - there are a great many ways.
- What else? Well, for example, don’t forget that virtually 100% of all available programs are compatible with Windows 7 by default. However, it’s just a matter of time - in a couple of years, some toy and application manufacturers will stop supporting the “seven”, limiting themselves to the “eight” " However, I hope it won’t come to that.
- I remember I was very surprised when I first launched 7 - unusual widgets appeared on the screen. Initially they seemed unnecessary, but later I got used to them. If you are one of those people like me, then 8 is contraindicated for you - it has no widgets at all! Why is a question that needs to be asked to the developers, although this problem can be solved by third-party applications.
- By the way, another funny thing is that the G8 has no transparent window design at all. How important is it? Honestly, I wouldn’t even pay attention at this point, but for some it matters.
- The advantages also include the relative ease of problems - I’m talking about various problems related to the performance of the operating system. However, all the bugs in Windows 8 will definitely be fixed - it’s just a matter of time.
Pros of Windows 8
- What's the first thing that comes to mind? Of course, updated design. It can hardly be called beautiful (personally, I don’t consider it anything out of the ordinary), but it is pleasing to the eye and laconic. At the same time, the design cannot be called completely new - it is rather a deep modernization of Windows 7, which appealed to many users.
- The next item that perhaps should have been topped is the new Metro skin. Actually, this innovation aroused the greatest interest in the new product. What do I think about this shell? Let's just say that it's not as convenient for me to use as the seventh version of Windows. And yet, I believe that Microsoft should have taken a big step forward a long time ago, which has finally happened. It is possible that after some time I will reconsider my opinion about Metro, besides, as far as I know, a huge number of users remain quite a shell.
- Metro has several other important advantages. For example, the user now has the ability to access the most popular computer settings, for example, the file search function. However, previously it was also convenient to use search - you just had to press the “Start” button and enter a search query.
- You can also remember the more convenient task manager - it really has become more pleasant to use. There is no need to mention the new one - everyone already knows about it.
- Integration with cloud data storage Microsoft SkyDrive has appeared. True, I don’t use cloud storage at all.
- And finally, you can always brag to your friends that you are using the latest version of Windows. Although who cares about this today...
Performance
The above story was mostly about external changes. What about performance?
In order to compare performance, experts took two completely identical laptops with the same drivers, on which they installed Windows 7 and 8, respectively. Several special programs were used for the test. So, in 3DMark 2001 both OS showed almost identical results, the same applies to 3DMark Vantage. In some places, of course, the “eight” was slightly ahead, but this can be attributed to errors.
But in performance tests, Windows 7 took a slight lead. At the same time, Windows 8 showed much better results when loading the operating system itself, but the difference turned out to be small.
In games, there was also no noticeable difference. However, in some games, one operating system performs slightly better, and in others, the second. In general - parity.
All this leads to the conclusion that you won’t actually be able to achieve performance improvements by moving from Windows 7 to 8.
What's the result?
It must be said that initially Widnows 8 was designed to be controlled from touch screens, where it is really more convenient to use. But using a mouse is not so convenient, so it is not surprising that smartphones and tablets running the mobile version of the G8 have become so popular.
Is it worth switching from “seven” to “eight”? The choice is entirely yours and depends only on personal preferences.
