See Paul Thurrott's article on Neowin's post about the Surface 2 here. Haswell processor, higher RAM possible, better battery life and a two-position kickstand are among them.
See Paul Thurott's article on Neowin's post about the Surface 2 here. Haswell processor, higher RAM possible, better battery life and a two-position kickstand are among them.
Doesn't look very revolutionary to me. There are dozens of ultrabooks with the same or better specs available. Buy one of those and rip the keyboard off and you have a Surface [H]
Sinofsky was fired. Ballmer is now stepping down. I personally would not look to Microsoft for leadership in the market right now. They are still trying to imitate Apple, and doing a very poor job of it. And in the process they destroyed Windows, their most important product.
My opinion, Instead of Gates retiring several years back, Ballmer should have been canned. He had already outlived his usefulness, and hasn't done anything good for Microsoft lately.
Don't forget John that they bought the Nokia Hardware business. Since Nokia was doing SO well selling windows phones, MSFT should own that action. [:D]
If Microsoft screws up some more as with Windows 8, it might be tempting to <gasp!> switch to Apple. I can't believe I said that. [:^)]
... MSFT should own that action.
Yeah ... I know what you mean. I wish I had 1-2 % interest in the multi-billion dollar smart phone industry. [:P]
Once again Mr. Anderson blesses us all.
Today is my birthday...wonder if my family will bless me with the SP original....I sorta hope not.
anyone familiar with my posts will roll their eyes but the SP though its chock full of problems imho is still really the only thing worth having Windows based right now. I savage it all the time but would be willing to try it at least.
I might just go with the problematic update to Nexus 7 on android for now anyway....til next year.
One would not expect the Surface Pro 2 to impress the Apple fan boys. I own 3 iphones and 4 iPads (large family). I use my iphone 5 and iPad daily, make that hourly. And I still hate Apple.
I think the Surface Pro 2 is very promising and, in my opinion, with longer battery life from a Haswell chip, running Haswell i5, with 8 gig of ram, it is a much better tablet than the iPad can ever be. This tablet would run Logos 5 very very well. That is news to me.
On the other hand, why anyone would want an Windows RT tablet is beyond my comprehension. But the Surface Pro 2, yes, I am sold on that.
Today is my birthday...wonder if my family will bless me with the SP original. anyone familiar with my posts will roll their eyes but the SP (though its chock full of problems) imho is still really the only thing worth having Windows based right now. I savage it all the time but would be willing to try it at least.
Today is my birthday...wonder if my family will bless me with the SP original.
anyone familiar with my posts will roll their eyes but the SP (though its chock full of problems) imho is still really the only thing worth having Windows based right now. I savage it all the time but would be willing to try it at least.
http://youtu.be/QVr0M7WCBu4?t=22s
What do you find problematic on the new Nexus 7?
If Microsoft screws up some more as with Windows 8, it might be tempting to <gasp!> switch to Apple. I can't believe I said that.
Microsoft has had other major mess ups in its history. Remember DOS 4, or Windows ME, or (more recently) Vista?
If Microsoft screws up some more as with Windows 8, it might be tempting to <gasp!> switch to Apple. I can't believe I said that. Microsoft has had other major mess ups in its history. Remember DOS 4, or Windows ME, or (more recently) Vista?
Compared to Windows 8 Windows ME and Vista were models of excellent programming.
No way!
Windows ME was Windows 98 with a new media player skin pack.
Windows Vista... oh those file indexing and searching times, the 3d-yet-not-really-3d look... i could go on and on...
Windows 8 has its flaws but it is generally fast(er than Windows 7, especially on SSD based systems), quick to boot and shut down, and generally more robust in how it handles devices. Yes, it breaks compatibility with a few things but those are few and far between
No way! Windows ME was Windows 98 with a new media player skin pack. Windows Vista... oh those file indexing and searching times, the 3d-yet-not-really-3d look... i could go on and on... Windows 8 has its flaws but it is generally fast(er than Windows 7, especially on SSD based systems), quick to boot and shut down, and generally more robust in how it handles devices. Yes, it breaks compatibility with a few things but those are few and far between
Windows 8 doesn't HAVE its flaws. It IS a flaw. So ME was 98 with a new skin, so what? Windows 98 is one of the more successful of MS's offerings so it can't have been that bad. As a matter of fact, I have an old computer that I bought over 12 yrs ago which came with ME, and I had not half the problems with it that I have with Windows 8. In addition, I'm forced to tolerate a pseudo-MAC interface. If I had wanted a MAC, I would have bought a MAC.
No way! Windows ME was Windows 98 with a new media player skin pack. Windows Vista... oh those file indexing and searching times, the 3d-yet-not-really-3d look... i could go on and on... Windows 8 has its flaws but it is generally fast(er than Windows 7, especially on SSD based systems), quick to boot and shut down, and generally more robust in how it handles devices. Yes, it breaks compatibility with a few things but those are few and far between Windows 8 doesn't HAVE its flaws. It IS a flaw. So ME was 98 with a new skin, so what? Windows 98 is one of the more successful of MS's offerings so it can't have been that bad. As a matter of fact, I have an old computer that I bought over 12 yrs ago which came with ME, and I had not half the problems with it that I have with Windows 8. In addition, I'm forced to tolerate a pseudo-MAC interface. If I had wanted a MAC, I would have bought a MAC.
My experience also started with DOS, all versions of Windows including Win 7 and now Win 8. Sorry George but my experience is the opposite to yours. I use Win 8 on my 2 notebooks, plus office PC and I like Win 8 even more then Win 7. Both systems look very stable and robust to me.
I frequently work with Logos opened on 3 monitors and have no issues with any software including Win 8. Win 8 actually brought me back also to Microsoft Mobile platform (from a couple of years of using iPhone and iPad). I like the UI of Win 8 and don't see any "pseudo-MAC" feeling in it. That's just my opinion and I am really sorry to disagree with you. It doesn't happen too often to me, as you probably know [:)]
P.S. And yes, Windows ME and Vista were real disaster IMHO.
My experience also started with DOS, all versions of Windows including Win 7 and now Win 8. Sorry George but my experience is the opposite to yours. I use Win 8 on my 2 notebooks, plus office PC and I like Win 8 even more then Win 7. Both systems look very stable and robust to me. I frequently work with Logos opened on 3 monitors and have no issues with any software including Win 8. Win 8 actually brought me back also to Microsoft Mobile platform (from a couple of years of using iPhone and iPad). I like the UI of Win 8 and don't see any "pseudo-MAC" feeling in it. That's just my opinion and I am really sorry to disagree with you. It doesn't happen too often to me, as you probably know P.S. And yes, Windows ME and Vista were real disaster IMHO.
I frequently work with Logos opened on 3 monitors and have no issues with any software including Win 8. Win 8 actually brought me back also to Microsoft Mobile platform (from a couple of years of using iPhone and iPad). I like the UI of Win 8 and don't see any "pseudo-MAC" feeling in it. That's just my opinion and I am really sorry to disagree with you. It doesn't happen too often to me, as you probably know
Let's put it this way. My Windows 8 notebook is the only computer which I've ever had to restore to its factory condition except for my old ME machine which was due to a sector failure in my HD. I have trouble opening my email. I have problems with links not functioning. Etc,. etc., etc. (to quote Yul Brynner in "The King and I.") I've never had such a bad experience as I've had with Windows 8.
I've never had such a bad experience as I've had with Windows 8.
I am really sorry to hear that. I hope you will experience some improvements with the new updated Win 8.1 this fall.
I am really sorry to hear that.
I echo Bohuslav's comments. Very sorry to hear about the issues you are having.
I am very happy with Windows 8. Boot time on my 3rd Gen Intel i3 laptop (HP) is under 30 seconds (old fashioned 5400 RPM hard drive). One click on the "desktop" tile if you prefer the previous view at start-up. Live tiles. Nifty integration with SkyDrive ... especially with Office 2013. Web versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote already in production. (Free with the Surface RT and Pro and Phone) Although I do not have one, touch screen laptops and desktops. Very nice.
One would not expect the Surface Pro 2 to impress the Apple fan boys. I own 3 iphones and 4 iPads (large family). I use my iphone 5 and iPad daily, make that hourly. And I still hate Apple. I think the Surface Pro 2 is very promising and, in my opinion, with longer battery life from a Haswell chip, running Haswell i5, with 8 gig of ram, it is a much better tablet than the iPad can ever be. This tablet would run Logos 5 very very well. That is news to me. On the other hand, why anyone would want an Windows RT tablet is beyond my comprehension. But the Surface Pro 2, yes, I am sold on that.
If Microsoft comes up with a series of killer apps that run on RT, it might improve their "outlook". Oh wait, they left "Outlook" out didn't they? [H]
Rumor has it though, that they are working on an RT port of Outlook. They already have Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Onenote. In my opinion, Onenote is the killer app already preloaded, although the entire office suite being included free is not a bad incentive.
Question is, do you need Word processing software on a tablet with no keyboard? The concept is a little silly isn't it?
I am very happy with Windows 8. Boot time on my 3rd Gen Intel i3 laptop (HP) is under 30 seconds (old fashioned 5400 RPM hard drive).
My truth detector just went off [H]
Something fishy about this story. I am not doubting that you are telling the truth about your boot time ... but that is not possible with a 5400 RPM laptop hard drive.
My guess is that your computer is an Intel ultrabook compliant design which includes Intel Smart Response technology. To meet the spec the computer is equipped with a 32GB SSD built onto the MB which is used for fast wake-up from sleep and fast boot times.
Windows 8 is not unique in booting quickly on this type of Hardware. Windows 7 can be configured to do the same thing.
I am very happy with Windows 8. Boot time on my 3rd Gen Intel i3 laptop (HP) is under 30 seconds (old fashioned 5400 RPM hard drive). My truth detector just went off Something fishy about this story. I am not doubting that you are telling the truth about your boot time ... but that is not possible with a 5400 RPM laptop hard drive. My guess is that your computer is an Intel ultrabook compliant design which includes Intel Smart Response technology. To meet the spec the computer is equipped with a 32GB SSD built onto the MB which is used for fast wake-up from sleep and fast boot times. Windows 8 is not unique in booting quickly on this type of Hardware. Windows 7 can be configured to do the same thing.
My truth detector just went off
John, in this case it would be 3 seconds, not 30. Of course I am speaking about "waking-up" time when I open the lid of my ultrabook with 3rd gen. i7 and SSD disk. (it is really 3 sec.) I don't remember boot time because I hardly ever do that. I do restart when I need to refresh the system. I forgot what crashes of system, blue screens, black screens are. I am very satisfied with Windows 8 as I was with Win 7.
The thing that convinced me to go to Win 8 from Win 7 was the File History tool. I just love this way of having backup of my files. In combination with the wifi connected external HD you can forget backup and you still have as many versions of your files as you like.
Yes, there is a couple of things I would change but overall I have a very positive experience with Windows 8.
We've had a good experience upgrading our laptops from Win 7 Home to 8 Pro. Performance has improved and it solved a few problems they were having under 7. I actually like the new interface; it's much better than the old start menu. The Windows Store apps still seem rough around the edges, but sometimes you can get them to do useful things.
Windows Surface Pro looks like my ideal tablet; I want one that can run both the full version of Logos and Nota Bene. Unfortunately it's way too pricy, at least for now.
Any opinion about this?
Windows 8 Pro bumps that capacity up to 512GB with price tags of $1,999 and $2,499 respectively
http://www.engadget.com/2013/08/19/wacom-cintiq-companion-tablets/
My plan is to switch to Android (not Apple), once the hardware and software becomes good enough -- probably 5-7 years from now.
Just one little phablet-sized device that does everything (via keyboards and monitors at home and at work).
I wanted to make sure I wasn't telling a story with my original comments ... in my enthusiasm. So I just pulled the laptop out of the bag and got a timer. Not exactly scientific. I pressed the power button on the laptop and the timer as close together as I could. The HP logo came up and 13 seconds later I was at the Windows 8 lock screen. I stopped the timer. Pressed enter to get to the logon prompt (instantaneous). Typed in my user id. Pressed enter and the timer start again. The new Windows 8 start screen came up at the 26 second mark. I click the desktop tile and was at the "old view, Win 7" desktop (less the start button) just shy of 30 seconds ready to go. When I did the experiment again, this time without fiddling with starting and stopping the timer it was a couple of seconds faster from cold start to "old view, Win 7".
This is a plain, everyday laptop from HP. [HP 2000t-2d00 Notebook PC] Spent $399 on it. The only upgrade I did was the 3rd Gen i3 instead of 2nd Gen.
No hardware caches that I could see in the system info. Windows experience is a modest 4.5 owing to the Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics. Other components slightly higher ...6.5 for the CPU is the highest. 5.4 on the hard disk.
I spent the savings on some Logos back-to-school specials. Couldn't be happier.
HP 2000t-2d00 Notebook PC No hardware caches that I could see in the system info.
HP 2000t-2d00 Notebook PC
No hardware caches that I could see in the system info.
This computer uses the Intel HM75 Express Chipset, which is capable of utilizing the Intel "Response" Technologies.
The SSD would be 20-32GB, and would not be visible to the user as an extra drive (unless it is partitioned and formatted, and Intel features are disabled).
It may be possible that HP disabled this feature on some systems. If that is the case you may have an empty slot on the MB to plug in an SSD.
Based on your reported speeds, It is difficult to tell if it is enabled.
To find out for sure, you would need to use the DISKPART utility in Admin mode, and type "LIST DISK" on the command prompt. It there is a caching SSD, it will show up in the list.
Thanks for this ... your helping me raise my techie IQ. [:)] I'll try it out later today and report back.
To find out for sure, you would need to use the DISKPART utility in Admin mode, and type "LIST DISK" on the command prompt. It there is a caching SSD, it will show up in the list. Thanks for this ... your helping me raise my techie IQ. I'll try it out later today and report back.
Thanks for this ... your helping me raise my techie IQ. I'll try it out later today and report back.
Actually in Windows 8 you just click Win Key + X, you get list of tools and you should find Disks Management (or how you call that in English) in the list. You get all the information about the physical disks there.
Windows disk management will only report what it sees. The Intel Rapid Response Tech hides the caching devices it is using at the controller level, in the same way that the individual drives in a RAID array do not show up in disk management. Intel Caching SSD's are not partitioned, and do not show up in disk manager at all. Intel RST SSD's are partitioned with a unique hibernation partition type but not formatted, thus do not get assigned a drive letter and are invisible to Windows.
We've had a good experience upgrading our laptops from Win 7 Home to 8 Pro. Performance has improved and it solved a few problems they were having under 7. I actually like the new interface; it's much better than the old start menu. The Windows Store apps still seem rough around the edges, but sometimes you can get them to do useful things. Windows Surface Pro looks like my ideal tablet; I want one that can run both the full version of Logos and Nota Bene. Unfortunately it's way too pricy, at least for now.
I think the biggest shortfall is the lack of a few essential functionalities (some user friendly settings controls) that were part of previous versions and they become user-unfriendly. An example would be the management of wireless connections (not easy to delete previous networks), etc.
Other than that, my start-up times are much faster and since updating shortly after win 8 went online (on desktop and laptop), I haven't had any problems (extremely stable)
I also love my Surface Pro. (e.g. I love the touch version of IE more than Safari on my iPad). But I haven't used Logos on it as much as I thought I would. Useful but I tend to return to my laptop on serious work.
My 2 cents
OK. I just booted up the laptop and ran the DISKPART utility logged on as Admin. LIST DISK is reporting one disk, Disk 0, with an approximate size of 465 GB. That is the only disk I see.
I'm not thinking this laptop has an SSD cache. HP is pretty good about noting those things in specs (and charging for them), this model doesn't list one. I didn't see that option when I bought it although other models presented that as an option. Not seeing anything in DISKPART.
I realize that many people do not like Win 8 and have been very vocal about it (not you, John - you've been very helpful to me). My experience has been very positive. The boot time improvements that I am seeing were a pleasant surprise for me, something I had not read about from anyone's comments, both here and in the general media reports and comments.
This is just my opinion, of course, but I am really liking the new OS. The integration with the largely unadvertised SkyDrive along with the continued improvements in integration of Office products. All very nice and moving forward in a good direction.
Actually in Windows 8 you just click Win Key + X, you get list of tools and you should find Disks Management (or how you call that in English) in the list. You get all the information about the physical disks there. Windows disk management will only report what it sees. The Intel Rapid Response Tech hides the caching devices it is using at the controller level, in the same way that the individual drives in a RAID array do not show up in disk management. Intel Caching SSD's are not partitioned, and do not show up in disk manager at all. Intel RST SSD's are partitioned with a unique hibernation partition type but not formatted, thus do not get assigned a drive letter and are invisible to Windows.
I appreciate your explanation, although "my" tool gave me more information then "yours". I don't understand details but just see all my disks and partitions whether they have assigned letter or not. (sorry for the Czech version of my windows).In fact I have 2 physical SSD disks 250 GB each.
sorry for the Czech version of my windows
Wow. No need to apologize. [:)] It never ceases to amaze me at how God has gifted so many to be fluent in more than one language. I struggle with just english. [:D]
Thanks for the pictures, that makes it much easier to understand. Maybe I should have done that too [:D]
I still do not quite understand though, are your two SSD's in a RAID array?
To demonstrate what I was trying to say, I will show you my system:
Disk Management shows only two drives. Disk 0, which is the System drive C: which is a 180GB SSD. And Disk 2, Drive R: which shows up as a 3TB Drive.
The Intel RST console shows what is really going on. The 3TB drive is actually 3 1TB drives in a RAID 0 array. The entire 3TB array is then cached by a 60GB SSD. (Yes, this drive is the absolute fastest Data Drive I have ever seen [H])
Unless a lot has changed from Win 7 to Win 8, Disk management does not show you the actual devices. They are hidden by the Intel Sata Controller in combination with the Intel drivers.
Your picture did not show two SSD's either, it only showed one (apparently in a RAID array?) which actually confirms what I was trying to say.
sorry for the Czech version of my windows It never ceases to amaze me at how God has gifted so many to be fluent in more than one language. I struggle with just english.
It never ceases to amaze me at how God has gifted so many to be fluent in more than one language. I struggle with just english.
[Y]
Yes, my point was that DISKPART does not show anything above what you see in the Disk Management. I should try Intel tool. I think you are right with the way my 2 SSD disks are connected in my system.
Yes, Intel RST console shows exactly what is the situation with disks:
How do you get to the Intel RST Console?
Never mind. I found it. Showing I have only the one hard drive.
Neither can I. [:D]
How do you get to the Intel RST Console? Never mind. I found it. Showing I have only the one hard drive.
Well now we know for sure [H]
If it is fast enough to make you happy that is all that really matters right? [:D]
So you faster boot times are all the result of Windows 8 preloading the (hibernated) kernel in one chunk, something Windows 7 does not do. If you do a true cold boot with Windows 8 you will probably find it takes longer. It is supposed to cold boot if you choose the "restart" option when shutting down.
If you do a true cold boot with Windows 8 you will probably find it takes longer.
I thought that was what is was doing. Maybe not.
The times are from when I press the power button to turn the laptop on to when I'm sitting at the desktop view [<30 sec]. Is a cold boot different than that?
[^o)]
anyone found the inside scoop on price and sizes? I hope this thing is affordable to the masses next time and that Logos makes their app more touch friendly.
Paul Thurrott has a new article on upcoming Windows tablets for the fall 2013 time frame. Most have the new Bay Trail Atom processor.
Thank you Bill for that article. Very interesting. [Y]
Atom as in Atom Bomb? How fitting.
Blessings Mr. Anderson
The only thing that is emerging it seems is my frustration again. I have to win the lottery first before I get an affordable Surface.
My wife would bury me in the basement and say "Joshua who?" if anyone asked for me later - if I bought the expensive Surface Pro now.
I have to be content with my Nexus 7 v2 (which I call "The Gizmo" as she disliked "Sexy Nexy")
I bought the updated upgraded Nexus 7 and its touch sensitivity is occasionally off (though to be fair I did put a screensaving piece of plastic on it too).
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