Windows 8 Preview coming in 1st week of June and SkyDrive apps now

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky drops news of Windows 8 Preview at Japan’s Windows 8 Dev Days along with new SkyDrive apps

Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky announces June Windows 8 Preview

The Windows 8 Operating System just got another page written when Microsoft President Steven Sinofsky dropped the shoe in Japan at Windows 8 Dev Days.

The new and hotly anticipated operating system will get another preview in the first week of June 2012.

There was not press release, no blog entry – just this photo posted on Twitter and the usual short Twitter message “Announce…Windows 8 Release Preview first week of June. Here’s the announce from Japan’s Windows 8 Dev Days.” Continue reading →

3 Editions of Windows 8 announced

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Stephen Pate

The number of SKUs will be simplified at launch this fall – two on Intel computers and one for ARM mobile devices

Windows 8 Metro home (picture NJN Network)

On the Windows Blog Microsoft announced the three versions of Windows 8 that will ship, greatly simplifying the choice for consumers and business.

Windows 8 will be the consumer product. Enthusiasts and organization with networking will likely purchase Windows 8 Pro. You won’t be able to buy Windows RT: it’s an OEM version for manufacturers of tablets, smart phones and other devices. Continue reading →

Review – Acer T231H Touch Monitor for Windows 8

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Acer T231H bmid is the only reasonably priced monitor capable of multi-touch with Windows 8

Acer T231H Windows 7 and 8 touch monitor

Surprisingly the Acer T231H bmid is the only $300 monitor that delivers a multi-touch in Windows 7.

Once I started using this monitor, it was hard to give it up, so I bought another one to replace an old Samsung.

There is only a small cost premium over a non-touch monitor. Continue reading →

Build a computer with SSD for $199

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Tiger Direct sets new low price point for an SSD equipped computer

ECS A780LM-M2 AMD DiabloTek Barebones Kit $199 limited time offer

This is the lowest priced computer kit we’ve seen. At $199 for a limited time, you get a $270 Athlon bare-bones computer kit! The price expires March 31st, 2012.

At that price it’s like getting the SSD for nothing.

It surprised me to learn recently that big companies like Microsoft and Amazon.com don’t buy computers anymore. They build their own computers and servers from kits and parts.

Most of the computers in the stores and from Dell contain parts and software that cost more and slow down the system. Continue reading →

Windows 8 It’s All In The Touch

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Stephen Pate

This video helps you learn the simple tricks that make Windows 8 navigation a breeze

Once you get used to the few new navigation tricks in Windows 8 Consumer Preview it seems like second nature.

Watch the video and we’ll cover the basics after the story break.
Continue reading →

Windows 8 Consumer Preview boots faster than an iPad

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Speed is everything with computers and Windows 8 is headed for the Indie 500 winner’s circle

Updated – Most of the articles that are being printed about Windows 8 imply you must upgrade and adopt Windows 8 this fall. Windows 8 is being designed for new computers.

However, Windows 8 is such an improvement over previous versions of Windows, I predict tens of millions of people will want to make the upgrade. Continue reading →

First Look – Acer T231H monitor delivers multi-touch for Windows 8

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Stephen Pate

The Acer T231H bmid LCD Monitor together with Windows 8 Consumer Preview puts a biggie-sized iPad on your desk

Acer T231H 23" multi-touch monitor with Windows 8 Metro home screen (click for larger image) Photo NJN Network

Windows 8 needs two things to be a hit on the desktop – a multi-touch monitor and touch pad. Acer delivers the multi-touch experience with the T231H bmid. The monitor is stunning. At under $350 retail, it leads the pack of competitive monitors we have investigated. Continue reading →

How to Install the Virtual Windows Server 8 Beta

Posted on March 16, 2012 by elarkin

Installing Windows Server 8 Beta on VMware is possible – here are step by step installation instructions

Windows Server 8 Beta Dashboard - Illustration Avolve Technology

By Edith Larkin, Avolve Technology – Microsoft is preparing a hat-trick with Windows 8 in 2012.

Microsoft plans to score three times with Windows 8 for desktops, Windows Server 8 and Microsoft SQL Server 2012.

To test the new Windows Server 8 Beta, we set up a virtual server on a computer already running Windows 8 Consumer Preview (Win8CP) Continue reading →

First Look – Logitech Wireless Touchpad and Windows 8

Posted on March 15, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Point, swipe and scroll easily added to Windows 7 and Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Logitech Wireless Touchpad (image Logitech)

The Logitech Wireless Touchpad is one of the best and easiest ways to add multi-touch computing to Windows 8 (Win8CP) and Windows 7.

At half the price of Apple’s Magic TrackPad, the Logitech is a no-brainer.

Even better, it has one or two-finger swipe which has eluded me on the Apple TrackPad so far.

Nothing could be simpler than unboxing the Logitech Touchpad, placing it right or left of the keyboard and plugging in the USB 2.4 HZ stub-adapter. After that, the Touchpad just works. Continue reading →

Windows 8 is faster than Windows 7 and Vista

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Microsoft promised a more efficient operating system and they delivered with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Windows 8 is faster for booting and restart

By Stephen Pate – With Microsoft aiming Windows 8 at mobile and desktop computers, the operating system had to get smaller and more efficient. They succeeded with fast boot and restart times even on older computers.

For desktops, a few seconds saved won’t add any productivity to an 8 hour day. Laptops and other lower powered computers should benefit from Win8CP. Of course, Windows 8 has to run efficiently on smart phones and tablets. Continue reading →

Windows 8 is cool but it is still a Beta

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Stephen Pate

Windows 8 Consumer Preview is a big step ahead of last year’s Developer release. While not ready for prime time it is an exciting look at where we will be this Fall.

My customized Home Screen with Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Like Windows 3, Windows 8 is a re-imagining of Microsoft’s flagship operating system and it’s still a work in progress.

What Microsoft have set out to accomplish is far beyond what or Apple or Android have done. Windows 8 will change computing forever not only with a new interface but with a single interface across desktop, laptop and mobile computing. Continue reading →