Windows 8 Released This Week

Even though the upgrade fee isn't exhorbitant, many current Windows users won't need to upgrade to the latest OS.

I

n just three days, Windows 8 will be on shelves (or, being more realistic, on Amazon.com) for you to purchase, and if you've heard anything about it, you've probably heard that it's completely different from previous iterations. That said, how different will it be, and what are the critics saying about it? Is it worth your hard-earned dollars?

The reason for changing things up so dramatically seems to be an stay relevant in a world where smartphones and tablets have taken over the need for PCs. The new OS is said to tie together the looks of Microsoft PCs, tablets, and phone software, simplifying the user experience.

The logon screen for Windows 8 looks relatively similar to past versions.

In a review of a Windows-8-loaded Dell computer, reviewer Dana Wollman at Engadget wrote that while Windows 8 doesn't necessarily mean the end of "crapware," that it is more streamlined and your desktop won't be littered with "random shortcuts" on the desktop when you first start up.

While we use our non-Windows-8 computers, we have to agree that not having those weird shortcut buttons would be nice; show us a way to get to our stuff easily, and be done with it.

The case of preinstalled programs is relatively small, too, including things like Amazon's Kindle app, Skype, Photo Gallery, Microsoft Office, and more.

Unfortunately, other websites publishing articles like "How to return to the Windows 8 Start Screen" [cnet.com] makes us think that Windows 8 might not be the supremely easy endeavor that Bill Gates wants us to think it is.

So do you need the new software? Probably not. While upgrade prices are $15 if your PC was purchased after June 2, 2012, and $40 otherwise (as long as you're already using Windows XP, Vista, or 7), just because it's affordable doesn't mean you need to switch over. While past versions of the OS have caused problems when more than one OS is installed on a computer, Windows 8 doesn't seem to cause any issues. But even so, the differences in functionality are minimal enough to not warrant an immediate upgrade. Save your money for now—Windows 8 will likely be on the next PC you buy, pre-installed.