In summary, Windows 8.1 is what Windows 8 should have been. All of these improvements are on top of the many great desktop features, security improvements, and all-around battery life and performance optimizations that appeared in Windows 8.
If you’re still using Windows 7 and are happy with it, there’s probably no reason to race out and buy a copy of Windows 8.1 at the rather high price of $120. But, if you’re using Windows 8, it’s a big upgrade no matter what you’re doing.
If you buy a new PC and it comes with Windows 8.1, you’re getting a much more flexible and comfortable experience. If you’re holding off on buying a new computer because you don’t want Windows 8, give Windows 8.1 a try — yes, it’s different, but Microsoft has compromised on the desktop while making a lot of improvements to the new interface. You just might find that Windows 8.1 is now a worthwhile upgrade, even if you only want to use the desktop.
I have 8 but have gotten used to it.
Please tell me I can simply update to 8.1 for free?
I live with 8 if I have to pay for another operating system.
Yeah, I'll come back when microsoft is interested in earning my business instead trying to compromise on something I didn't ask for and didn't want. The change from the old 3.x interface to the windows 95 desktop was a welcome change. That retarded little brother that is 8.0 and 8.1 were not. Maybe I'll come back for the Windows 9, apology for balmer's ego edition.
Thanks for the update info. I fall into group mentioned below:
“If you’re still using Windows 7 and are happy with it, there’s probably no reason to race out and buy a copy of Windows 8.1 at the rather high price of $120. But, if you’re using Windows 8, it’s a big upgrade no matter what you’re doing.”
The only problem, I have is when I do a fairly deep Google/Yahoo search on something. About 2-3 levels into the search, my screen and computer freeze up. I have to do Gate’s gift to us, the control/alt/delete and reboot.
One of our younger relatives and his wife are great with computer language, programs and solving problems. They have informed me that problem will go away, when NSA opens its Utah facility to store our searchdata, and Google/Yahoo and other internet providers get free storage space for providing our search data to NSA.