As Apple and Android Enter Our Consciousness

By Richard M. Sherwin

Nine months ago we tried the disastrously rated Windows 8 and then its free upgrade to Windows 8.1. Back then we should have known better since experts from all venues were trashing the successor to Windows 7, which was running nicely on all our other machines. So we figured there must be a real good reason.

We wanted to see for ourselves what the fuss was and what was really wrong with Window’s 8. Most of our fellow industry analysts who had received their Windows 8 machines, literally put them in mothballs or tried to bring the machines “back” to Windows 7, their experience was so horrendous.

For our review, we got the highest rated Windows 8 tablet, the Asus all in one. We also tested the Lenovo notebook too.

Our complaint was the same as everyone else’s.  We just couldn’t get used to not using a regular desktop interface which Microsoft changes to a whole bunch of little squares or tiles. So this tiled approach was really a bad experience. Our savior was a $4.99 add-on that we purchased after our friends inside Microsoft said they weren’t using their own company’s Windows 8 desktop either.

Last summer, our sources at Intel Corp., the makers of the chip inside most Windows’ machines, told us confidentially that many of its employees were doing all kinds of workarounds to avoid using the tiled Window’s 8. They were going to do this until the overhaul of Windows 8 was ready to test.

When we got the free upgrade overhaul came in late summer, Windows 8.1 was a tiny little better and easier to use. But all of a sudden we saw why even loyal Microsoft people were switching to Macs and not buying into the Microsoft $2 billion Windows 8 ad campaign. This new OS was an utter disappointment.

Microsoft’s fall from grace and loss of credibility as a consumer company for us, came when another free upgrade was announced in late fall. Our Asus machine said it wouldn’t and couldn’t upgrade or run unless we did a free upgrade through the Windows 8 store. When we tried that the Windows store said it wasn’t working and come back later. Meanwhile some of our programs wouldn’t run, including Microsoft Office and the main browser on the Asus. So we opened up our Mac, which we rarely use; it hadn’t been touched in seven months. In addition, when on assignment, we took our oversized LG Tablet and gave the kids the terrific Kindle Fire HD. OMG I didn’t need Microsoft at all.

But here’s the rub. I wanted to finish my review of the new Windows 8 so I called the alleged 24 hour new and improved Windows 8.1 Support. Well, five hours of phone time and three days later, after they accidently blanked all of my data and left a browser virus on my machine, four different tech support “level two and three” agents couldn’t fix the PC. Twenty calls to tech support got me back to the same people who just seemed to be guessing how to fix the Asus PC’s Windows 8 software and just kept reading from a script.

After they upgraded it for free to Windows 8.1 Pro Edition, the system was left with all sorts of lingering spam, pop up browsers and, even after a Level Four personally took over my Asus (another two hours spent on the original fix), I can see why my friends and business colleagues have jumped to Apple’s Macintosh.

Thankfully Norton Security software and its fine tech support people cleaned up the left over artifacts that were affecting the computer….and even volunteered some Windows 8 tips. Will I buy another Microsoft based computer especially with Apple rumored to be dropping prices and Google’s Chrome book improving its own OS? What I do know is that the supposed third remake of Windows 8 is expected this summer and my sources claim that Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer and other major PC makers are hoarding their Windows 7 machines for another expected customer backlash against Microsoft.

And the nightmare continues because it seems that each and every Microsoft support technician who worked on my Asus PC is now calling days later to see if things are OK or to apologize.

When I tell them to please stop, they just call back in a few hours.

Byes and Pieces: While Microsoft can’t seem to get its software and OS tech support act together it has, however, found a really good OEM to make its new Mice, Keyboards, Blue Tooth accessories and improve its fine HD Web Cams. Although probably not up to the ease of use and ergonomics of market leader Logitech, all these web cams and accessories really work well on a Macintosh or on many Google Chrome Books…and of course all Windows based PCs.   Logitech’s 920 Web Cam and Microsoft’s HD web came have the resolution of many professional digital camcorders and cameras and both firms have a Blue Tooth line of keyboards and mice were recognized and connected easily to all of the Android, Apple, Windows devices we tried.

In fact, we highly recommend Logitech’s and Microsoft’s Blue Tooth accessories over most no name or budget brands in that those did not always connect via Blue tooth or took a long time to be recognized by many devices. And these accessories are only priced a few dollars less than the budget no names.

Logitech also has a solution for those not wanting Blue Tooth wireless connections for their accessories or if their PCs or Tablets don’t have Blue Tooth. Logitech still leads the pack with “Unifying” tiny USB connectors that make it easier to connect its Mice and Keyboards to a Mac or PC instead of Blue Tooth.

Both the Microsoft and Logitech pro type web cams are not just great for making and editing home videos, or Skype or Oovoo video chats systems. Because they are very portable, they are especially good spying on dogs and cats and kids roaming your home.

In addition, at under $200, both of these web cams can be set up as a budget security system too.

On the Surface, this Tablet goes beyond IPad and Android.

While I was dreading completing my Microsoft Surface 2 (Tablet) review (this time I made sure there was nothing valuable in the way of content on the Microsoft product and I had a native English speaking support person on the phone just in case).

I was pleasantly surprised by its speed, sound and fine screen. The Surface is not what Microsoft claims in its’ commercials. It is a different experience than the Windows 8 operating system on a PC or Smart Phone and much better than the PC experience.

While still needlessly confusing and with a long learning curve (based on Windows RT, a business operating system), once you learn the basics of Tile computing, the Surface does shine. It has a built in free version of Microsoft Office which is still better than most of its Mac or Android substitutes and it performs even complex productivity functions much smoother and easier than any Tablet. In addition, unlike its (still much cheaper) competitors, the Surface does have a micro SD, and full USB 3 port so you can add a ton of storage memory and most any other devices that you would need to make the Surface into a real computer.

At the Surface’s Window’s 8 Surface online App store, you can find some of the popular Apps that are available on the IPad or Android devices and some other Apps unique to the Surface. In addition, while again still a bit confusing, there are hybrid Apps or unusual versions of PC programs that once again after a bit of learning, might even be better than their PC or Mac counterparts.

For instance The Nook App (Barnes and Noble’s electronic book App), has a much better and more comprehensive reading and purchasing library than on the Nook itself or the comparable IPad App. The Cad and design Apps are easier, yet just as powerful, on the Surface 2 as on a high powered PC or Mac.

While The Surface Xbox branded media player is just too much technology for the average user and there are Apps that tie you to Microsoft’s ecosystem, there are free music, video and picture Apps, which are NOT available in the PC version and are quite useful and fun and informative that work even better than some of Microsoft’s own programs..

Maybe by this spring there’ll also be the thousands of third party Apps that populate the Android and IPad marketplace.

But because of the basic attributes that Microsoft built into the Surface 2, for some mobile warriors, this product is a very viable device as a combination Tablet/Notebook PC.

Pricing is almost by the minute as Microsoft drops the price drastically on some consumer venues like Amazon or Sears or regional brick and mortar retailers, but seems to keep the Surface 2 artificially high at business oriented retailers.