If you already have a XP license key, VirtualBox is a much better virtualization environment. XP Mode was intended for business use only (it is very crappy for gaming).

True but what I meant was it looks like it'll only be good on tablets.

The lack of DVD support is largely a non-issue. OEMs have often shipped Vista/7 PCs with third-party DVD software (even though these versions have built-in DVD playback), and this trend will no doubt continue with Windows 8.

The wording of the FAQ indicates that installing third-party DVD software won't expose the codecs to Windows Media Player (as in past versions), meaning you would have to use a third-party player, but that's not the end of the world either.

This was very true for XP, and true for Vista to a lesser extent, but it is completely untrue for Windows 7; Windows 7's SP1 delivered hardly any new fixes that hadn't already been issued as a Windows Update. It was by no means a must-have upgrade.

Windows 8 continues the overhauled development process established with Windows 7. As with Windows 7's beta, Windows 8's Consumer Preview is already stable and compatible enough for everyday use (including gaming).

Even in its incomplete state Windows 8 has surpassed Windows 7 SP1 in raw performance; start up and shut down are noticeably faster on the same hardware, and memory use has been further optimised. It's probably not a big enough difference to justify the cost of upgrading for many, but for those wanting the absolute best Windows version Windows 8 is where it's at, Metro or no Metro.

Unless you have a very old/low spec hardware the performance difference are mostly negligible, definitely not something to push that much peoples to switch. Also, I suspect the clunky interface will probably turn off way more potential updater than the slightly improve performance will convince.
Given how Media Fundation/Directshow works I don't really see how they would manage that (the codec not being supported by WMP) unless Windows 8 WMP doesn't support MF nor Directshow... but then again given what Ms is doing recently I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to rewrite WMP in Javascript or some similar crap. (It seems to be Ms new thing, every time they have something relatively good that works they trash it and replace it with HTML5 and JS)

+1111111111111111 for that. I really hope the final versions of the essential applications (like People, Mail, SkyDrive, Calendar) are done in XAML + C++ or C#, and not that ShitScript crap.

I have 8 gigs of ram and always put my pc to sleep mode. My start-up is measured in seconds.
Why should I upgrade to this POS that can't even decide if it wants to be a tablet or desktop OS?
Tyvm, I'll pass

You know it's really bad when they pull desperate measures like that. This thing isn't even released yet and already it's like the Hindenburg.

While I like the fact the Microsoft is actually trying to do something truly new and innovative with Win8 (my judgements will be reserved until I actually get a chance to use it though), the one thing which does bug me will be Win8's integration with Flash. Seriously?

LOL. No, it is not. Visual Studio 2010 works perfectly on Windows 8.

(Go ahead and call me fanboy, but these last two days, that story has been twisted to death for more website hits.)
Adobe provided Microsoft with the actual source code for Flash, so they were able to tweak it to use the latest sandboxing security features of Windows 8. It is very possible that Microsoft will provide updates for Flash in the future, directly through Windows Update.

It really isn't the point of the article.

I've read the article two times, dunno what other point the article tries to tell. That there will be less software developed for desktop?

Win8 Another Screw up Brought to you by MicroSoft.(TM)

Another reason why I'm moving away from windows. It looks like Windows 7 will be the last OS I'll be getting from Microsoft. Such a shame really that they are becoming an apple-wannabe. The more I hear about 8 the less I like it, but maybe things will improve. Just my two cents.

edit:
I don't mind them borrowing some aspects of Apple, but what I don't like is them becoming control freaks. I saw Microsoft as being a medium between the openess of Linux and the closed-system of Apple. While you can't modify the OS you are still free to create whatever programs you want.

That article is not a good sign for things to come, IMO.

Man you really are a fanboi. Through rose tinted glasses. 'Nuff said LOL
This is the impression im getting as well. Power has gone to Balmer's brain?.