The new interface is called Metro and it has 3 main characteristics. Firstly, there is no Start button in the bottom left-hand corner, or indeed anywhere else for that matter. Secondly, the icons used for running applications have gone. Instead of a desktop with icons, you get 'tiles'. These are like very large icons in bright primary colours - think of a 5-year old let loose with crayons - but are intelligent in that they can animate, update, show information and so on. Thirdly, although existing programs (Word, Excel, Firefox etc) all work, Microsoft's intention is that new Metro applications will eventually dominate. These Metro applications take over the entire screen rather than run in their own resizeable windows, such that you only see one at a time. If you have used an iPad or an iPhone you will have an idea of what this means.
Actually, that last sentence is a bit of a giveaway. This idea of an interface with tiles first appeared on Windows 7 Phones, and will be used on forthcoming tablets from Microsoft and others. These products are designed to compete with Apple's iPhone and iPad, by providing a flexible and 'finger friendly' interface. Quite how this is supposed to work on a standard laptop or PC is anyone's guess. Many people who have tried it, thanks to Microsoft's pre-release testing program, just find it baffling and want something a bit more familiar.
In fact, there is still a conventional desktop underneath the Metro shell. Press the Windows key or click on the Desktop tile and you get a blank desktop. This can hold icons, you can change the wallpaper, customise it in other ways and generally make it look familiar. Unfortunately, you can't readily disable the Metro shell so there are certain new methods of working to get accustomed to.
Windows 8 RT - Twice as Nice or Half as Good?
It might sound odd, but there isn't one version of Windows 8 - there are two, with the second one known as Windows 8 RT. It is designed for use on tablet computers and isn't compatible with normal Windows 8. It can only run Metro applications, but not the 'normal' Metro applications - it needs special Metro RT applications. Confused? Here's the background.
As most people will be aware - thanks to the 'Intel Inside' advertising campaign of the past 20 years - the processor or 'brains' of a computer is made by a company called Intel (or it's main competitor, AMD). However, these processors (Celeron, Pentium, Core etc) use far too much power for a slim tablet. Instead, tablets (and nearly all the world's mobile phones) use ARM processors, designed by the British company of the same name. ARM processors are very frugal with power, but cannot run regular Windows or other software designed for Intel/AMD. So, Microsoft have made a special ARM version, which looks and acts like Windows - Windows 8 & Metro that is - which is called Windows 8 RT, and the hope is that software suppliers will re-write or translate their programs to work with it. For instance, there will be a special Windows 8 RT version of Microsoft Office.
What To Do?
Chance are that most new computers this Christmas will come with Windows 8 - there won't be any choice for people who want Windows 7. Accordingly, in terms of copies shipped Windows 8 will be deemed a great success. The future of Windows 8 RT is less certain - most people who want a tablet tend to buy an Apple iPad, or an Android one if they are looking for something cheaper.
If you are thinking to buying a new computer in the near future, it might be prudent to do so sooner rather than later whilst you can still get Windows 7. When Windows Vista was launched and Windows XP supplanted, many people got their fingers burnt. Some commentators are saying that Windows 8 could turn out to be 'Vista 2'.