Windows 8 Pro Review

The first day it was available, I bit the bullet and purchased Windows 8 Pro for $39.99.  I had had the preview version for the past few months so I did know a bit about how to operate it.  Most of my testing was to ensure applications that are critical to me like Quicken, Microsoft Office etc would run.  Also, I want to purchase an Intel based Surface Tablet when it is available in January.   Also, I wanted to see if Windows 8 was useable by seniors that I work with in our computer classes.

Upgrade Assistant Sample

I was not confident enough to install Windows 8 over the top of my current hard drive.  I purchased a new drive and had installed my critical applications on it.  Now it was time to install.  I went to the Microsoft Store online and started the download.  The download first checked and reported the thing that I would have to be concerned with.  It gave me the opportunity to uninstall a few things that were not important to me and pointed me to the developer’s site for Windows 8 versions of applications that would have to be installed after Windows 8.  The 2GB Windows 8 downloaded, installed and was up and running in less than an hour.  I downloaded the programs from Lenovo (I have a Lenovo T520) that the Upgrade Assistance pointed out and spent the next hour testing all the critical apps.

Now for the disappointing part - my printer driver for my HP J4680 didn’t work but to HP’s credit they had the Windows 8 driver ready to go on their website.  This was NOT pointed out in the Upgrade Assistance report.  After downloading another 350MBs, I had the printer and the related applications up and running.  

Skype worked but there was a Skype App on the Microsoft Store.  I uninstalled the one I had and installed the new app just in time to get a call from my daughter.  Damn, the camera didn’t work!   So, after a quick trip (online of course) to the Lenovo support site I downloaded a new camera driver – another 150MBs.  Skype with video is now up and running.

iTunes isn’t that critical although I do use it.  I haven’t tried it yet but I understand from the internet that people are waiting for a Windows 8 version.  I’ll report on this later.

Now for my biggest disappointment, I use Intel Wireless Display with a Netgear Push2TV (PTV1000) to watch video from my laptop.  I also use it to connect to a projector when I am teaching.  The Upgrade Assistant said only that I had to download and install the new version from the Intel web site.  After almost a full day downloading and installing software from Intel, I finally got the computer to recognise the Pust2TV but when I attempted to connect I saw –    

I have the software setup now and this should only cost me another $100 or so.

Finally, the Lenovo T520 I use, does not have a touch screen and using the keyboard to navigate is at best clumsy.   One thing I didn’t expect to happen is that the system hung on me 3 times, over 2 days, to the point that I had to shut it down with the power switch.  I suspect Microsoft will fix this shortly.

In conclusion, I do like Windows 8 and expect to like it even more when I get a Surface Tablet in January or February.  The senior citizens, I teach have simple needs.   Mostly, they use Email, Skype,surf the web and play the odd game or two .  I think they will like a tablet version.

NetTalk Duo WiFi

Well, I finally got it put together.  The NetTalk Duo WiFi now is up and running.  I did have a little difficulty setting up the wireless.  I had just installed Windows 8 and the USB drivers weren't compatible.  I had to get out an old XP machine and run the management program from it.  This is a one time event though so I don't see it as a problem.

As you can see there are now only 3 devices involved - the NetTalk Duo WiFi, the Mobile Hotspot and the Telephone.  The NetTalk connects wirelessly to the Moble Hotspot to get to the internet.  That is much better than the magicJack Plus since it requires a hard  wired ethernet connection and thus the need for a router or an extender.

So how is the quality?
First I have to tell you that my Telus WiFi Hotspot is connected 4G ((not LTE) but the upload and download speeds are about 5Mb down and 1Mb up.  The quality is excellent at least for the 5 minutes I talked.  I know some of you have been asking if the quality will be good when we attach with 3G while we are in Florida.  I can't answer that right now but I am hopeful since the NetTalk Duo say it only requires 128K bits per second both up and down.  Then the only thing we'd have to worry about is disconnects between the Hotspot and the cellular towers. I'll be in Florida in late November and I'll let you know then.  But for now,  I'm pretty happy with the NetTalk.
Update 10/31/2012
Today, I really need to get a fax and avoid an hour drive each way to pick up a document.  I attached my HP all-in-one printer to the NetTalk Duo and I got the fax.  This is something that you could not do with MagicJack.

New Communication Alternative

Many RVers have used magicJack for a few years now and I have blogged about how to use a mobile hotspot like the Verizon Novatel and the Telus Huawei in combination with a WiFi extender and a magicJack Plus to say goodbye to your telephone company and carry high-speed internet with you where ever you go.  I now think I have a better, even less expensive way to have phone service as inexpensive as magicJack but eliminate the WiFi extender.

Today I purchased a Nettalk Duo Wifi but I haven't tested it.  I will do that tomorrow.  If it works the way I think it should you should only need 2 devices - your WiFi Hotspot and the NetTalk.  Less devices means a  system easier to maintain.  I will let you know.

By the way, Windows 8 will be available tomorrow as well - I will be downloading it and going live.  I have had the preview for a few months now and I am a little concerned that my audience will have problems with it.  Is it the next Vista???  I'll let you know.