Just moments ago Windows 8 Consumer Preview was release. The latest in Microsoft’s Operating systems that is expected to go LIVE with a full release over the next few months is out NOW for you to download and install so you can have a chance to have the latest look and feel of it. Download your copy HERE!! You can get it in 2 methods one is an online setup as well as a second method that allows you to download the FULL ISO and install via that. If the setup method does not go well.. I would highly suggest the ISO.
Windows 8 Consumer Preview should run on the same hardware that powers Windows 7 today. In general, you can expect Windows 8 Consumer Preview to run on a PC with the following:
- 1 GHz or faster processor
- 1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
- 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
- DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
- 1024 x 768 minimum screen resolution
However, there are some additional requirements to take into consideration in order to use certain features in Windows 8. In order to use the Snap feature, you will need a PC with a 1366×768 resolution or higher. If you want to use touch, you’ll need a multitouch-capable laptop, tablet, or display. Windows 8 supports up to five simultaneous touch points, so if your hardware doesn’t, you may find typing on the onscreen keyboard and using certain controls more of a challenge. You’ll also need an Internet connection to try out the Windows Store, to download and install apps, and to take your settings and files with you from one Windows 8 PC to another.
More details on the release can be found at the windows streaming blog.
Update: 02/29/2012 – Starting the install process on the Lenovo, as with the developer release I’m trying the online SETUP first to see how it handles the migration. If it goes badly I have the ISO downloaded and will attempt it with that. We did cover the developer release and I was really not impressed by what I saw at that time. I’m certainly hoping some of the issues we covered then have been addressed by Microsoft in this release or I’m afraid we may be looking at a ME, VISTA repeat.
Update: 03/01/2012 – After downloading the installation yesterday while getting ready to roll out to my job that pays the bills. I set the Lenovo up to do the default automated setup and install. The process was much quicker than the developer preview. Took about 20 mins to complete and only 3 reboots to become ready to use. This version appears to be a bit more polished than the developer preview as well. However I’m still not sure Microsoft has got it right. Alot of features just aren’t as intuitive as they should be. Like finding the control panel or even shutting down. Unless you have used the Metro Interface those could be a challenge for someone to find. I fear that in an effort to make thing simpler that the R&D folks may have made it harder for the user to accomplish what they are wanting to do. Unfortunately Microsoft isn’t the only OS I’m seeing this trend in. as the same issue now exists in Ubuntu Linux and their new interface. Where users have LESS ability to customize the look and feel of their computer to what and how they want it to operate. Speed of use of the Metro interface is snappier than the Developer preview. More on it as I use it more and install some things to see how it’s working and operating.
Source: WindowsExperienceBlog