Windows 8 Pro - download issues

Windows 8 is amazing! I like the interface (the so called Modern UI) and the full screen nature of several applications including Internet Explorer gives a pleasing and comfortable viewing/browsing experience which I had seen only in Apple machines with the exception of full screen capability in Macs.

I am suspecting basic users migrating from their previous gen windows machine will take a bit of time to get accustomed to the numerous new shortcuts (to access certain tabs which we've been using in the past) and mouse movements (which I am aiming to cover in a separate mini tutorial) to get those out from behind the full screen nature of the new Windows 8. But at the same time it is not going to be dreadful as they've described in several reviews online scaring people away from upgrading to Windows 8, this deal which will only run until January 2013 is in fact worth the price. And what more, you can also get Windows Media Center for free if you are someone who spend equally time on videos and music.

Overall I am loving the new Windows 8 for what it is, yes, the experience is one step ahead if your device has a touch screen as it also helps in your productivity, and being an image/visual guy I am noticing the image reproduction for some reason is a lot sharper (that it was on the previous version). Remember I am referring to images on websites. Although some may argue that there hasn't been anything specific that was done to enhance images in the OS.

Microsoft needs to sort this at the earliest

Having talked about the positive let me now highlight an issue that I experienced which is nothing to do with the operating system itself. This will be of interest for people in the region mainly for users in the United Arab Emirates.

I upgraded my Windows 7 running netbook with dedicated graphic card, which is my 11" HP mini 311 with Atom NVIDIA ION. The upgrade was led by Microsoft's upgrade assistant and everything worked well and within 30-40 mins. I had Windows 8 doing its magic on my machine. It is way faster and slicker definitely than my Windows 7. I was on login screen in less than 18 seconds.

A friend of mine was visiting me the other day who was tempted to go the Windows 8 way too - on his Samsung V300 laptop running Windows 7 which he had purchased last June. He is even luckier since he was eligible for the $14 dollar deal as his laptop is relatively a new purchase. I readily offered to help him with the upgrade given my previous installation experience. We made the purchase using my paypal account, but I was in for a test on my patience when the download got stuck at 'downloading 0% completed' screen. I tried doing all sorts of things but repeatedly I got stuck in the same place. I tried 'Googling' for similar issues and could already see many users wailing on the same in different forums. I called Microsoft on the issue, thankfully they were already handling several similar complaints. I was told that a technician would connect to my PC and will sort it for me. Several start-up apps and some firewall components were tweaked by the technician before he could make the download to proceed from the 'zero percent' mark.  

Mini PCs mentioned here now have advanced even more with dual core support, bluetooth, better power source etc. You can easily say these are the tablets without the screens. The MK802 mentioned here is outdated followed by MK802 II and now MK802 III. There are also other similar gadgets like MK808 which also has very good review.

If you do a search in Amazon or ebay for MK802, the result will fetch you numerous brands in the same genre which you wouldn't have heard of. Although most of these gadgets comes from China they are all having very decent reviews for the price that they are being sold.

Download a copy here with a collection of all the 'mini' insights

Standalone Media Players: When do you need one

This issue focusses primarily on Media players (and their requiremet?). Click here to download a copy.
You must also keep into consideration that this technology is being outpaced fast by Android and players with dedicated processors and RAM (thereby resulting in a tiny PC) like the one we've covered earlier in previous issues (mini-PC MK802 and the likes).

Ultrabook: What are they?

Click here to download the 1 page document

Some insights into the so called 'ultrabooks', in contrast to laptops and notebooks

Tablet Buying Guide

Feel free to download the guide here

Remember this guide was drafted way back in March 2012 when Windows 8 launch and the new iPad launch were several months away. Therefore this must be read in that context. This document will  still serve you or a beginner as a reference resource in your tablet/pad purchasing decision making.