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.

Two weeks ago, we tested Windows 8 Consumer Preview (Win8CP) against Vista and Windows 7. It was faster. Windows 8 is faster than Windows 7 and Vista.

The iPad 2 comes in at 25 seconds, almost as slow as Windows Vista. In actual use, Windows 8 feels like a sports car compared to the plodding iPad 2 family sedan.

I had shut down my computers last night, to help with the overheating. It was 83 F. in my office on the 22nd of March. The air-to-air heat pump has been off for days and it was hot outside.

I wanted to check an email that came in on my phone so I turned on the Win8CP old clunker, a dual core Quad 9300. Zip, it was ready for sign on before I could turn around. The actual time as about 15 seconds.

That was fast.

Big media get the story

The big media like PC World and ComputerWorld are starting to pick up on the Windows 8 speed story. Windows 8 Preview Beats Windows 7 in Most Performance Tests writes PC World.  They have a series of charts that change from higher is better to lower is better. Didn’t anyone tell them that charts are meant to improve comprehension. You can’t tell what PC World tests mean unless you read the legend.

Over at ComputerWorld, which is one of my regular sites for IT news, Preston Galla repeats the story Tests show Windows 8 Consumer Preview is much faster than Windows 7

“These numbers don’t surprise me,” writes regular Windows commentator Galla,  “I’m running Windows 8 Consumer Preview on an Acer Aspire One netbook and it’s quite speedy. It starts up fast, is extremely responsive, and rarely displays lags. The only time I’ve noticed any lagginess is when I’m browsing the Windows Store.”

And there you have the problem. Like most people writing about Windows 8, Preston Galla of Computerworld doesn’t have a computer that was meant to run a touch based operating system.

New hardware for multi-touch experience

You need a multi-touch screen like the Acer T231H to enjoy the Windows 8 experience. You also need a touch pad like the Logitech Wireless Touchpad to navigate. Windows 8 is being designed for new computers that have touch screens and  pads.

Apple isn’t trying to make the iPad fit on a MacBook Pro or iMac. You buy an iPad or iPhone for touch. Why are the reviewers trying to fit new wine into old bottles in their tests?

Update – a faithful reader said I forgot the iPad in the chart. “Do you think you’re working for (blank) newspaper now?”

Related

First Look – Acer T231H monitor delivers multi-touch for Windows 8
First Look – Logitech Wireless Touchpad and Windows 8
Windows 8 is faster than Windows 7 and Vista
Windows 8 is very cool but it is a Beta
PC sales headed for 400 million in 2013
Download Microsoft Windows 8 Consumer Preview
Windows 8 Hotmail integration succeeds where Gmail fails
Microsoft Windows 8 will link you to the Cloud more easily than Apple iCloud

Where to buy USA

Acer T231H bmid Tiger Direct USA $309 (at time of publication, price may vary)

Where to buy Canada

Acer T231H bmid Tiger Direct Canada $289.99 (at time of publication, price may vary)