A good rule of thumb for business is to avoid taking unnecessary steps forward. Occasionally, supposed advances in technology end up doing more harm to your business than good, and by the time you realize it, it’s too late to do anything about it. With something as delicate as an operating system, you’ll want to be extra cautious about whether or not you choose to upgrade. Microsoft new operating system, Windows 8, is just around the corner, and before you make the switch, you should ask yourself: Do I really need to upgrade to Windows 8?
Windows 8, in terms of operability, has more new features to deliver than its predecessors. The interface is much friendlier to users, more so than any other past version of Windows. Windows 8 will be compatible with touchscreens, tablets, keyboard/mouse combinations, and touchpads. The touchpads have received quite an upgrad three new commands, including pinch-to-zoom, two-finger scrolling, and edge swiping, are all available on the Windows 8 touchpad. The final version will have customizable options for the touchpad, which has been performing well for testers.
On top of all this, the new interface is lightning-quick as well as user-friendly. Many boot-up and loading sequences have been reported to take half the time of Windows 7, and the interface is designed so that the user can navigate his or her system with flawless precision. Applications are incredibly easy to access, security is tightened, and most of the innovative ideas from previous operating systems have carried over. The notable hotkey layout of Windows 7 is back in Windows 8, including a few handy new additions.
Naturally, with the good comes the bad, and reviewers of the beta-version of Windows 8 remained hopeful but felt there were issues to address. According to Seth Rosenblatt of CNET-Asia, the most prominent flaw of Windows 8 is that “[it] remains a much harder sell to the public than any other operating system because of its ambitious changes to workflow, and its reliance on new, unseen, untested hardware.†This is most likely in reference to Microsoft Office 2013, the next software release in the Microsoft Office lineup.
In an announcement by Microsoft that came as half-shocking, half-expected, Microsoft Office 2013 will be dropping its compatibility with Windows XP and Vista. With 40% of Windows users still functioning just fine with XP, this puts consumers in an interesting position. An upgrade to Windows 8 will be required in order to use Office 2013, and many consumers will feel forced to make the switch. Aside from this, IT departments will need time to adjust to the mechanics of these new interfaces and software. Technical issues will arise from lack of familiarity, and IT professionals will need time to figure out the operating system before they are ready to help others.
This also puts Microsoft in an equally interesting situation. Microsoft Office 2013 is expected to be the next great financial push for the company whereas Windows 8 is not expected to do so well. However, users will be required to upgrade to Windows 7 or 8 to even use Office 2013, so Microsoft may be shooting itself in the foot with this projection.
Windows 8 will be arriving on October 26th, so before you decide whether or not you’ll upgrade, get in touch with SACA Technologies. Our technicians will be very familiar with the functions of Windows 8 as well as Microsoft Office 2013, so you don’t have to worry about technical difficulties outside of our control. We’ll upgrade your system and software at no additional cost and at your request only. We are dedicated to excellence, and we’ll give you the preparation you need before you take the leap into the next Windows generation.
