Windows 8 Upgrade
I am in no way endorsing Windows 8 nor am I suggesting that you install Windows 8 at this time. There was a notice on 10/25/12 from HGAR that MLXCHANGE and Fusion are not yet compatible. I also have no current information on Rappitoni’s current or future compatibility. I am attempting to let you know that there are discounts available now 10/25/12 and they won’t be available for much longer. Therefore, if you think you might want to have Windows 8 on a recently purchased PC – now would be a good time to get it for a future installation. This was just to make you aware of the option and the current discounts.
SO, now that you are all used to Windows 7….
Windows 8 looks really cool and, well, eventually they will force you to use it. If history is any indicator – this version of Windows could be a flop until they fix it with service pack 1 in about 6 or so months. BUT, right now there is special pricing on upgrades. So if you have a reasonably new PC that came with Vista or Windows 7 and you think you might want to have Windows 8 on it sometime in the near future, then now is the time to buy the upgrade. . If you have purchased a Windows 7 PC recently (the last three months) you may be qualified for an upgrade for $15 – it will only work on the newly purchased PC:
http://www.windowsupgradeoffer.com/en-US
If you are interested in purchasing the update, this is one for about $60:
http://www.circuitcity.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3947206&sku=M17-3200
Here is another for about $40, if you are willing to drive to Paterson, NJ to pick it up. I am driving to Paterson and no I can’t pick it up for you, limit one per customer and you have to bring the original credit card with you:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/403742/Windows_8_Professional_1_User_Upgrade_PC
If you are wondering if your older PC can run Windows 8 – I would GUESS that if it about a year old, yes. But that 4 year old Windows XP tower you have at home? Um, no…
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Windows-8-Consumer-Preview-hardware-system-requirements,14847.html
Microsoft recommends:
• 1 GHz or faster processor
• 1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
• 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
• DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
There are several more “fine print” requirements and recommendations peppered throughout Microsoft’s post (italicized portions straight from Microsoft):
For Metro Apps
One new element to Windows 8 is the requirement that Metro style applications have a minimum of 1024×768 screen resolution, and 1366×768 for the snap feature. If you attempt to launch a Metro style app with less than this resolution (e.g. 800×600, 1024×600) you will receive an error message