This is a comprehensive package for those who build and sell systems. This solves the problem of how to customize a new machine to a customer's needs, desires and preferences.
However, there is a learning curve, which Microsoft, albeit a bit clumsily, addresses with its Technet services. Sometimes it takes a while to find the answer I need, but then there is the good ol' bookmark! Once I find the answer it goes on the bar.
I like the fact that I am given a standard OEM license with its attendant restrictions. This gives end-users the option of choosing whether to keep or modify their installed package through Microsoft.
As for Windows 8.1 itself, I love it. I had 7, and thought that was a quantum leap from XP, the last system Gates and Co. should acknowledge before 7. Unfortunately, my computer crashed, and I had misplaced my original disc. The price of Windows 7 was prohibitive - especially when compared to this new animal on the shelf. As a retooling 50+ year-old student - and adventurer - I figured what the heck.
I liked it from the beginning, although there were many things that I found counterproductive and frustrating. The shutdown button was a huge one. I felt like George Jetson when I wanted to shut down or restart the computer - "Jane! Jane! Get me off of this crazy thing!!! Jane! Jaaaane!". I never did that, because my wife's name is not Jane.
Coincident to a call to tech support regarding a licensing issue, I learned that 8.1 had been released. I was just starting to learn that the difficulties with Windows 8 I was experiencing were characteristic and not due to lack of experience or mastery of the new system. 8.1 really solved a lot of the problems. Frequent subsequent updates, some major, some minor, have improved facility and functionality tremendously.
If you are a frustrated XP user wondering if you should go to 7 or 8.1, I highly recommend the latter. It is, to me, a far more flexible system than 7, and Microsoft has raised its bar on customer satisfaction with its attentiveness to issues. If you are a builder wondering if you should even offer 8.1 to your established customers, i say YES! I am a tiny operation. However. my experience with the OS would behoove me to not only offer, but strongly recommend Windows 8.1 to customers.
By the way, I am a music composer and performer. I create my own fully orchestrated performance accompaniment tracks for both my originals and standards. Windows 8.1 has made the process much easier. I use two screens. One is a touch. On the touch screen I have Sonar X3. There I can operate the virtual board and modify the final product. If I hear something that does not sound quite as I want it, I switch to the second screen where I have the song I am working on in a different application. I consider Noteworthy to be the best and easiest notation editor (Windows only). I switch to the Noteworthy screen, and make the changes, save the edits, and export it to midi format. Then I open and continue to work on it in Sonar.
I have yet to suffer any data or work loss in this process. So, I say to my musician friends, GET IT!!!
Microsoft FQC-06950 Win8.1 Professional 64Bit 1PK EN DSP OEI DVD
3.7 | 426 ratings
Price: 179
Last update: 02-26-2025
About this item
This operating system is eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 10 when available. More details below.
The Start screen. Personalize your Start screen with your favorite news, friends, social networks, and apps. Customizable colors and backgrounds and four different tile sizes make your device as unique as you are.
The apps you want. In addition to great built-in apps for e-mail, people, photos and video editing, you can also download thousands of popular apps from the Windows Store, including Netflix, ESPN, Skype, and Halo: Spartan Assault.
It plays as hard as it works. Windows 8.1 gives you the power to quickly browse, watch movies, play games, polish your resume, and pull together a killer presentation - all on a single PC.
The Start screen. Personalize your Start screen with your favorite news, friends, social networks, and apps. Customizable colors and backgrounds and four different tile sizes make your device as unique as you are.
The apps you want. In addition to great built-in apps for e-mail, people, photos and video editing, you can also download thousands of popular apps from the Windows Store, including Netflix, ESPN, Skype, and Halo: Spartan Assault.
It plays as hard as it works. Windows 8.1 gives you the power to quickly browse, watch movies, play games, polish your resume, and pull together a killer presentation - all on a single PC.
Top reviews from the United States
Leon deVoseWindows 7 was great, but Windows 8.1 is supeme!
Charlene Kay GardnerAmazon was great, but Windows 8.1 leaves much to be desired.
Luke MeredithWith all the negative press I thought I'd be disappointed.
Mina