windows 8.1 vs 8.1 pro

[luchifer]

Im sorry if its the wrong section, for work with the latest (sadly) softimage version, should I go with 8.1 or 8.1 pro? I have windows 7 with 6 gb ram, i7 920 with a nvidia card gtx 460

[SamHowell]

I only have anecdotal personal experience to go on but 8.1 pro works fine with Si 2015 for me.

[luceric]

The only difference for you is that 8.1 Pro supports dual CPU while the other does not. Also, only Pro can be accessed with Remote Deskop.

If you have only one CPU and don't care about remote desktop, it's a waste of money to buy Pro.


If you're thinking you might upgrade to a dual CPU machine in the future, that should not be a factor in the decision if you buy an upgrade or an OEM version, because you'll have to buy a new copy of windows anyway.

btw, I don't personally think you'll gain anything but frustration by moving from 7 to 8.1

[Rork]

btw, I don't personally think you'll gain anything but frustration by moving from 7 to 8.1

Well, for me -personally- I have the opposite experience. Yes, there are some things that have changed, but other than that Win8 is pretty nice to work with.
But if you hate change, yes, Win8 will be frustrating. But people howled at XP when it came out too. Now they don't want to change ;-)

[Draise]

What he said about the pro.

I prefer W8.1 to any other version of windows, everything runs faster, smoother, and the OS starts up quicker. If the OS does have crashes, you won't loose work - the explorer quietly reboots and everything stays open. The explorer and everyday file management tasks are streamlined and well, the funny UI start menu is jarring yeah, but in the end after using it the way I want it, I prefer it over the start menu of old. SI 2015 works well on it - better than W7 I've found.. mainly cause it's faster?

[luceric]

Hello,

windows apps aren't going run smoother or faster in win 8.1, just the same. it's the same OS. Win8 is all about the new Win8 UI and APIs. The OS may start faster, I have not experienced that, although a clean install of any version of Windows is always going to feel great/better/faster. You can start by reinstalling your existing Win7 copy for a nice buzz.

It's not really worth it to debate the value of learning the 8.1 UI right now. Microsoft is tearing all of that UI and changing it in windows 10, right now in beta and due out in 6 months. Windows 8.x will be quickly forgotten.

[Hirazi Blue]

Is there any indication already if Softimage 2015 will still run under Windows 10? If not, Windows 7 and/or 8 will probably remain "our" best bet for as long as we can "stretch" that out...

[Draise]

I assume windows 10 will be as backwards compatible as 8. My 1 year installation of 8.1 is still faster than a fresh install of 7....

8.1 has a much better thought out interface than 8 - it's the small things, yeah. Concerning function, maybe it's a bit more stable. I recommend it - mainly cause.. well having played with the preview of 10, any knowledge of what is there and how it works won't hurt anyone. Windows shortcuts are extremely handy when used right - and probably will remain in 10. The upcoming multi-desktop of 10 will be none different than Virtuawin or other multidesktop programs out there.. Anyway, enough of the senseless debate.. I'd better get on with life and work and people and things.

Really looking forward to 10.

[Nox]

For me main advantage of 8.1 is nice default UI theme, just shrink those big borders via registry and you have elegant modern UI.

Aero in w7 is so ugly that you have to use third party system patcher and custom themes, which are not perfect either.

[Rork]

Is there any indication already if Softimage 2015 will still run under Windows 10? If not, Windows 7 and/or 8 will probably remain "our" best bet for as long as we can "stretch" that out...

In two weeks (the 25th if all reports are correct) the consumer version of the Win10 beta will be out, so you can test it yourself. It's quite easy to setup in VirtualBox, or MS's own HyperV if you have Win8Pro running.

I have to say Win10 does show some nice new improvements, and I don't care about a hybrid start menu thingy btw.. ;-)

[Hirazi Blue]

But I do not have to test this myself - haven't got the time and stamina to do so - actually, especially when there are so many eager "young" Softimage users out there, who are probably asking the same thing. My game plan currently is not to wait for "10" anyway but buy myself a new computer beforehand.

Good to know the consumer beta isn't out yet, that explains the lack of info... ;)

[Rork]

Well..... You don't visit the same websites as I do ;-P

There's already a ton of info out there about the Win10 beta. Lot's of builds have been released already, via the official channels and some not so ;-)
The upcoming consumer beta is supposed to have some additional stuff regarding screen size automation and the start menu/desktop, a new webbrowser nicknamed "Spartan", and some other tweaks. At some point in the next months there should even be a WinPhone 10 beta and a WinRT (tablet) version for download.

Like I said, the current (official) Win10 beta is quite nice, and everything I thrown at it works like in Win7/8 so far. Haven't tested Soft though. Will do that as soon as the new beta is released.

rob

[Hirazi Blue]

I hardly visit any websites at all, my Mosaic browser has been stuck on the si-community for years now...
Could you "throw" me some links to these special places you visit?

[Rork]

Nothing special, just browsing the MS related website every so often...

But for some beta info and rumors:
http://www.winbeta.org/tags/windows-10
http://www.neowin.net/news/tags/microsoft
http://www.windowscentral.com/windows-10
Arstechnica https://www.google.nl/search?q=arstechn ... zWasKPgZAE
and lots of other sites like http://www.theverge.com/tag/windows-10 etc.

cheers!

rob

p.s. completely derailed this thread... LOL!!

[luceric]

You'll be able to transfer your softimage license to a new PC after the EOL.

[luceric]

Microsoft announced that windows 10 upgrade will be free for windows 7 and up