5 reasons you should buy Windows 8 now

And a good Microsoft day to you! Fill your mug, snag a virtual treat and let's talk about Windows 8. Do you have it yet? I bought a 'Developer's edition' in the fall which is missing a lot of stuff - such as the ability to touch the screen and have something happen. I do like their 'Piano' feature. Puts a technological aspect on 'Chopsticks'!

While it’s easy to hate Windows 8,  here are some reasons to stop nagging about the changes and buy the upgrade before it gets way more expensive.

Windows 8 has sold more than 60 million licenses to date, but Microsoft has not revealed how many of these copies have been activated. Still, these are generally good numbers, and it is keeping pace with initial Windows 7 sales. Microsoft has invested a lot of time and money into Windows 8 and will continue to update the software to make it run better.

Some of you have firmly made up your minds that you’re not upgrading to Windows 8. Fine — you’re stubborn, and you’re not doing it. Eventually, you’ll be like those people who are still running Windows XP, roughly 34 percent of the world. Hey! I still like XP but I've gotten used to Win 7.

But if you’re on the fence about Windows 8, here are several compelling reasons to buy it now.

1. The base price of Windows 8 will jump 300 percent on Feb. 1. Oops... Afraid I'm a tad late in letting you know!

As noted in the intro, the cost of Windows 8 goes up substantially soon. On Feb. 1, a license of Windows 8 Pro jumps from $40 to $200. Microsoft is also offering a less feature-packed version of Windows 8 on that date for $120.

2. You don’t have to install it now

Purchasing the Windows 8 update doesn’t mean you actually have to install it. Windows 8 is a 2GB download, and you can simply leave it on your desktop for whenever you feel like updating.

3. Windows 8 will make your computer faster

Microsoft hasn’t done an amazing job of communicating this, but Windows 8 has a lot of under-the-hood improvements that will make your laptop or desktop run faster. An extensive study by PC Mag indicated much faster boot-up times, higher benchmark scores, and speedier web browsing. Basically, Windows 8 can make a big difference in the performance department — even on some old PCs.

4. Windows 8 is not the monster you think it is
Some people have a few misgivings about the OS as a whole and think some average users will hate the changes. But while the OS is clearly designed with touch in mind, you can use the OS on a desktop PC or laptop as long as you mostly work out of the desktop. You can also install a Start button replacement like Pokki or RetroUI.

Another thing to consider — if you’re a Windows 7 power user, you just use the desktop to work anyway. If you continue to use the desktop on Windows 8 and avoid the new Start menu, your experience will be pretty similar. Heck, even a 3-year-old can use Windows 8.
 
5. Windows 8 apps have a ton of potential

Although it might be good to avoid the Start screen much of the time and work out of the desktop, eventually Windows 8 will have lots of compelling full-screen apps. Some great apps are already in the store, and more will be coming down the pipeline as more people use Windows 8.

So there you are...and here I am...Windows 8 does have some innovative technology and apparently there's a lot in the pipe. 


I just checked the Microsoft web site for you and the price has gone up to $119.99. Looks as thought your SOL for the cheaper price but it does promise faster starts and longer battery life. Both of thee are major agro issues so that's some good news.


See ya, eh!


Bob