Windows 10s Opinion/Review

So, I should probably start this of explaining that I have only been able to use windows 10s for a brief period but I am of course familiar with windows 10 and am a Windows Insider.

Windows 10s is great possibly the best version of a windows operating system yet.

Now if you don’t know Windows 10s it’s revised version of windows 10 based on Windows 10 Pro. You are currently unable to buy it in the shops or online but It does comes preinstalled on certain systems such as the new Microsoft Surface Laptop and its designed to be quick, secure and responsive.

Now as I mentioned I have been able to use it briefly on Microsoft’s new surface laptop which has a premium feeling and looking piece of Hardware (which at just under a grand it frankly should be), Windows 10s is super-fast with super quick boot and resume times and its everything you really want from a OS (i.e. it doesn’t seem to get in the way and feels very smooth).

You can tell that this has had a lot of thought and is aimed at those that may be interested in chrome books and maybe even taking on apple as they have in other areas. This version of windows 10 because of the policies that it uses is very secure very easy to use and difficult to break you also get great battery life without necessarily needing as many heavy batteries which of course leads to lighter hardware. This security and optimisation is impressive however the way this is done is also my biggest bug bear with windows 10s. And I think it will be the hang-up for a lot of people too.

The main way that this security and ease of use has been implemented as well as excellent use of resources is that its locked down to the Windows App Store. Which while having improved a lot over the last couple of years is unfortunately still dire. You are unable to install 3^rd party and even some 1^st party applications as if they are not on the windows store you simply aren’t able to use them. So that means no Photoshop or GIMP for photo editing, No Steam or any of the other gaming clients, no video editor and probably the biggest thing for a lot of people no option to be able to use a different web browser other than Edge.

Now personally I like Edge for the most part but I use Vivaldi (based on chrome) and Waterfox (Firefox based) as my main browsers as edge still has issues with some sites including some of Microsoft and doesn’t have the widest range of extensions that others do. As an aside I also do wonder what the EU will make of them forcing you to use Edge considering the history MS have had with them. Clicky.

Up until very recently it wasn’t even possible to install MS Office although that has since been added and I’m sure as time goes on it will get better and one thing that I haven’t mentioned is that some of the things that are currently missing in the app store can be done though a web browser as long of course as it works with edge.

I can’t help but feel that Windows 10s is suffering a little from the “chicken or egg” Perhaps the fact it exists will increase Devs willingness to port and create apps for the app store thus getting rid of a major barrier of 10s but on the other hand perhaps it’s a little too early for 10s. If the store improves as I hope that it will, I’m sure more would be willing to use it and even in its current state. I also assume plans are in place to implement 10s in lower spec, Cheaper hardware because it has a place for those that want something more than a tablet but don’t want the complexity of potential risk of a PC/Laptop.

In conclusion Windows 10s is great but let down hard by a weak app store offering but has serious potential for the future if it gets a chance.

The good news though is that with the surface Laptop an upgrade to windows 10 Pro is possible and until the end of the year its free to do so. I know for one that if I was to get my hands of a surface laptop I would be very happy to have it but I would have to switch to windows 10 pro immediately which thankfully is as easy searching windows in the store and selecting the free upgrade option. It’s Just a shame to can’t go back to 10s once you have upgraded.

 

*After Publishing I noticed that Photoshop Elements is available on the app store sorry about that. But app selection in general is still poor especially when you consider other app stores and that its all that is available to use.

The Death of HDDVD

Well it looks like the war of the formats has finally finished as of today. The bbc is reporting that toshiba one of major backers is dropping out. [BBC Article]

Toshiba have stated that they will stop production of HDDVD players and recorders so that they can concentrate there efforts in other areas. However they will still supply retailers with players and recorders till the end of march this year and will continue to give technical support to the millions of people that have gone with HDDVD. The death of HDDVD has been on the cards for sometime now with many of the larger movie studios supporting blueray and an ever decreasing presence at retail with major chains like Walmart either removing there HDDVD stock completely or Focusing more on the Bluray format.

Sony’s decision too include a bluray player in there gaming console the playstation 3 also gave blueray a huge advantage what ever the HDDVD camp also supported by Microsoft would like people to have believed.

I for one am glad that this war is over and not just because I am a playstation owner (although it helps :P) It makes things a lot easier for consumers and retailers, Don’t get me wrong in some respects the format war was a good thing. Competition is good as it means cheaper prices and more choice for the consumer and you can be certain that if there was only one of the formats Prices would not have reached the level they are now for a long time.

What i hope now is that the remainder of the film studios still supporting HDDVD will make a swift move to blueray And that prices for bluray players and films will continue to fall and not stagnate.

Oh and some buying advice for those that after seeing this news and wanting to buy a Bluray player. I really would suggest that you buy the playstation 3. Even if your not interested in the games or anything else It is by far one of the best bluray players on the market and is certainly the cheapest on the market.

PS3 Shifts Into Top Gear

Towards the end of november i bit the bullet and shelled out for a Playstation 3 and to put it simply its awsome.

But that’s not really what i want to talk about as such. Today I learnt that Gran Turismo [which if you don’t know, is supposedly the worlds most popular racing game series and is exclusive to the Sony Playstation ] And BBC Worldwide have teamed up and will be releasing 40 episodes of top gear on Grand Turismo TV [GT TV] which is a new feature to be introduced on the playstation network and which will also be able to be used to keep up to date with motoring news which frankly is awesome.

But not only that the test track which is used for the series and is raced on ever week by Clarkson, Hammond and May not to mention dozens of celebrity’s in a reasonably priced car [ not at the same time. Althought….] Will be available to race in Gran Turismo 5.

Now i was already planning on getting GT5 as they are always great but all this has made me very excited for the next version in the series where as before i was only excited.

This sort of thing could really hope shift consoles and i hope other game developers and even sony take notice it will be very interesting to see the numbers when this game is finally released some time in 2008.

Check out this post form qj.net for more info