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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
Computer is Great, Windows 8...eh...
By N. Sands
I've now had this machine up and running for a few weeks now, so I'm ready to give it a good solid review. First, setting it up was probably the easiest I've ever had to do. I replace my desktop machines every three years, so I've had lots of experience setting up new computers. The ease of setting it up is probably because there really is nothing to plug in other than the power cord. You plug in your Ethernet cable for your Internet connection (if you want - it already has built in WiFi if you don't want to bother) and turn it on. There are no speakers to connect, no mouse or keyboard to connect, no web cam to connect...it's all built into one small machine.If you're a person who jumps from tablet to PC to phone or other device, you will like this computer. How many times have you found yourself touching the screen on your PC and then remembering it's not your tablet? The touch response is fast, the screen is brilliant, and you'll like being able to pinch and zoom when things on the Web are just too tiny.The keyboard is very small compared to other desktop computers I've had and it's also quiet. This further adds to the decluttering effect this computer has. The mouse is very responsive and has a wheel, but one thing I do miss is the "back" and "forward" buttons my previous wireless mouse had.If you are excited about the "surround sound speakers" that are built in and you really care about audio, don't throw your speakers out just yet. I was excited to get rid of two desktop speakers and a huge subwoofer on the floor by my feet. I'm really glad I don't listen to very much on my desktop. These speakers are very "tin can" sounding (like an old portable radio). I searched the software to find a way to adjust them, but there just doesn't seem to be any way to do that. I've adjusted, but it is a drawback.If you are new to Windows 8, give yourself some time to get used to it. Is it better? Maybe performance-wise, yes - it is. It runs very smoothly and navigation on this computer is fast. However, navigating is absolutely horrible. It has basically taken the simplicity of "old Windows" and added some steps for you. But don't dismay, all the "old stuff" is there, it just takes you a while to find it. In this case, Google is your friend!I was leery of the built-in disc drive (I've had bad experiences with these on a television). It is, indeed, very flimsy, but it does what it's supposed to do. Fortunately I very rarely need to use it. If you're someone who burns a lot of CDs or uses a lot of DVDs and CDs, you may end up breaking it at some point.One final note - the machine comes with gesture software. First, if you're using a touch-screen, I really don't get the need to also have gesture control, it's rather redundant. Second, the gesture control software does not operate correctly anyway (it detects your movements via the built-in camera). Leave it turned off if you ask me or uninstall it completely if you wish. I don't think you'll miss it.Overall a very sleek, space-saving, good functioning machine. I'm happy with my purchase.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
Yes, but can you run Hyper-V on it to keep your old XP.
By J. Lansdale
Neat look and it is always fun to learn a new OS, but Windows 8 like the qwerty keyboard really does take quite a lot of getting used to.Big unanswered question, what version of Windows 8 is installed, Home or Professional? Important distinction because all your old software gets broken. With Pro edition you can at least run Hyper-V to emulate your old XP. Saves money and gives you more time to get used to 8.
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful.
Everything a computer should be
By Russell Golde
Are you sick of those huge tower computers with the on button that always breaks. This is everything a computer should be. The tangle of cables between the monitor, the cpu, the keyboard and mouse is gone. Quality hardware running the MS OS has finally arrived. Windows 8 takes a little getting used to but after using it, Win 7 seems dated. Buy this computer.
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