Windows 8. Why I'm Excited.

Helloooooooooooo! I've been missing in action because of this Hurricane Sandy business, but in my exile, I have discover the Holy Grail....options.  I have found other options to the Macbook Air that I so desperately desire, thanks to Microsoft.

Microsoft just put all its chips on the table with the launching of Windows 8. There had been a lot buzz about this radical, and possibly dangerous, upgrade.  Microsoft is attempting to fuse a tablet/smartphone operating system with a full personal computer operating system...and I think it's great!

Here are my reasons for being excited about the beginning of a new era with Windows.

1)    It's different and exactly the same

Much of the confusion about Windows 8 involves the new 'Start' screen, which involves a series of square shaped applications.  Where is the traditional desktop? Why, it's an app, of course.  So you get a familiar Windows 7 experience and a bunch of cool apps to boot.

2)  It's cheap

If you have Windows 7, you can upgrade to Windows 8 for just $40.  That's really, really, cheap.  And with most versions of Windows, all your files will be instantly transferred over when you install Windows 8 - no need to reinstall.  Why the heck not?

3)  It can make an old computer feel new

Having Windows 8 installed promises more efficient battery usage and an overall speed boost to any compatible computer.  

4) I've tried the new Windows 8 laptops and I am impressed!

When I spent a few hours in the Microsoft Store in Boston, I fell in love with two laptops that were showcased for Windows 8.  As a preamble, I want to make the point that creating laptops with touch screens is EXACTLY what Apple didn't want to do when they had the chance a few years ago.  John Ive, now the new Steve Jobs after his recent promotion, explicitly said in an official Apple online video that the user experience of a touch screen laptop was not natural. So instead, when the MacBook Air came into being, they enlarged the trackpad to create gestures there. 

Now Microsoft, known throughout the world as one of the best software companies (and truly the best before the rise of Apple), is diving head first into the hardware industry by siding with Sony, Acer, Dell and Asus to create fully functional touch screen laptops that are just as powerful as the MacBook...with a touch screen!

The two best Windows 8 laptops I have personally tested are :

Acer Aspire S7. This is a direct competitor of the MacBook Air, even though it doesn't appear to be getting a lot of hype. Here are the specs compared:

Acer Aspire S7	MacBook Air
Intel Core i5, 1.70 GHz(up to 2.6)	Intel Core i5, 1.8 GHz(up to 2.8)
2.99 lbs	2.96 lbs
Intel Graphics 4000, 4GB RAM	Same
Touch screen HD display	Neither
$1,299	$1,199

 In the end, you are paying $100 extra for a touch screen when compared to the Macbook Air.  The other technical specifications are almost exactly the same and the Acer computer is even just a little bit thinner than the Air (see photo above).

I do admit the Macbook Air has a slightly stronger overall build, but that should not be a deal breaker.  Also note that the keyboard design is better on the Air.  There was just something about the Acer keyboard that didn't feel quite as comfortable. There is also a lot of empty space around the keyboard with the Acer computer compared to Apple's design.


Sony VAIO T. This is a powerful ultrabook that only barely fits the category, but at 3.5 pounds and 7.1 inches thick, yeah, that's thin.  But the MacBook Air and the Acer Aspire S7 are thinner you say? True, but do they have a 500 GB hard-drive with 32 GB solid state storage and 6 GB of RAM?  And do they have touch screens and cost $800!

No, no they do not.

I have been debating what to do about internal storage for quite some time. On one hand, I have more media and files than the 128 GB standard ultrabook storage size. On the other hand, solid state storage is the way of the future, and with no spinning hard-drive, it's more durable and faster to load files.  So why can't I just use my external hard drive to store files I use infrequently? For the same reason I need an iPhone and not a cheap phone with an iPod Touch. I want everything in one place. I don't want to make tough choices over which photo albums I erase from my computer.  I already do that with my 16 GB iPhone 5.

I probably wouldn't take my laptop traveling. That's why I have an iPhone and an iPad.  So if the computer is going to be relatively stationary, and I had no problems with my 4 year old Dell laptop that went to Santiago Chile and back, maybe I should save almost $400 and get the Sony VAIO T.

I explain my situation because I believe many consumers are uncertain and cautious about which laptop is right for them.  Overall, a Macbook Air or an Acer Aspire S7 will be enough for the casual user, but what if today's casual user is tomorrow's....someone who needs more power, speed and storage?

If you want to have peace of mind that your computer will be fast and powerful for the foreseeable future, go with a Sony VAIO T or a Macbook Pro.  And the Sony laptop is such a bang for your buck because you get plenty of storage and plenty of power (Intel i5) AND plenty of portability AND a great price. There are many other options out there as well, but these are my two favorite at the moment.

Apple versus the World (of Windows), let the battle commence!