Steve Lambert,

Editor (Tech)

 

Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 8, is available to the public as of Friday, 26th October. The system is a radical venture away from the traditional style that windows has used from its beginnings in the early 1990′s and is based on the design used on the recent Windows phone. It has been created with the intention of a system that looks identical over all platforms – that being tablet, phone and PC.

However, there have already been criticisms of the new style with many arguing that it’s departure from the simple and user-friendly nature will only confuse and put off prospective customers. It’s an issue that was also raised when Microsoft released Office 2010, which changed a great deal of the user interface that people had gotten so used to beforehand.

Nevertheless, Microsoft is keen to point out that there will be an option to change the ‘metro’ design back to a desktop style more reminiscent of Windows 7 and before.

Coinciding with the release of the new Operating System is Microsoft Surface, the first in a series of tablets designed by Microsoft. The initial tablet will run off Windows RT, an operating system that bears certain similarities with Apple’s iOS, limiting what can be downloaded by the user. However a later incarnation, due to be released in January, is to include the full Windows 8 operating system.

Initial reviews have been mixed for the tablet with many praising the idea of attempting to fuse a tablet with a pc whilst others have criticised the device for the same reason claiming that it’s a poor compromise and it doesn’t really work very well as either. The lack of applications and the hefty price tag – over £400 – are other general concerns but should become less problematic as the device starts to gain momentum, as Microsoft will continue to support the device and add applications to the store.