[3dog]

Had my Duo for 1 year now and I am looking forward to installing the Consumer Preview due out this week. It does appear that the Developer Preview has been installed on a Duo but I didn't see the need to install as it had limited functionality. Interested in hearing from Duo owners who also install the Consumer Preview.

I did call Dell support and there is no support for Windows 8 but when the final version comes out they think that we will be able to purchase the upgrade from Dell along with support.

The Duo is listed as "sold out" on the Dell site and I expecting that it will be redesigned when Windows 8 is released. It would make sense to upgrade to an SSD, GPS and improve the battery. I would like to see a 13" inch screen and larger back-lit keyboard, an ultra book with a flip screen. The "Red Rider" of laptops and IPAD/Mac Air killer. $1000 price point would seal the deal.

[peacock93]

I plan on installing the Consumer Preview as well. I will write back and let everyone know how it goes. I have already made a complete backup of my Duo so I'm just waiting for the download to drop.

[friedje]

As in the developper edition, the accellerometer still doesn't work...
for the rest i'm still testing.

[3dog]

I downloaded on the first day of availability and it took about 2.25 hrs from start to finish. Had to remove 2 programs and you need ac power as you would when you install any version of Windows. I am typing this using the on screen keyboard.

[3dog]

I am trying to use just the touch interface for now and using a stylist with the on-screen handwriting tool. This takes allot of practice but it works much better the any previous version of windows and I am a longtime Tablet PC user

[jonny4]

I have the consumer preview installed. You have to enable all windows features to install the old dell drivers from their site. The only 2 things that aren't working are the Atheros WIFI Bluetooth driver and the ST Microelectronics ST DL303DLH Sensor Driver. I have searched for new ones but I can't find any yet.

[weenerdog]

I have it setup dual-boot Win7 & Win8. I kinda like it; the gestures take some learning, some apps seem to work it pretty hard, as the fan keeps coming on.

[3dog]

Originally Posted by friedje

As in the developper edition, the accellerometer still doesn't work...
for the rest i'm still testing.

I had the same problem with the accelerometer with Windows 7 but even after reset it went off again. I gave up on it and just reset the screen from landscape to portrait when I want to change it. I was able to do this in Windows 8 also.

---------- Post added at 10:46 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 AM ----------

Originally Posted by weenerdog

I have it setup dual-boot Win7 & Win8. I kinda like it; the gestures take some learning, some apps seem to work it pretty hard, as the fan keeps coming on.

I had to reinstall Window 7 from the Dell disk after my hard drive was replaced a few months ago and it installed a recovery drive (C) but it booted from (D) where all my other programs were. When I installed Windows 8 it automatically set up the dual-boot option but unfortunately it set the boot directory to (c) and now all my programs do not show when I boot to Windows 7. I am trying to figure out how to change it back to boot to (D) but have not been able to find a solution. I have followed all the directions I found on the internet nothing lets you change the boot drive.

---------- Post added at 10:55 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:46 AM ----------

I have noticed that when you are in Windows 8 it uses Internet Explorer 10 but when you boot to Windows 7 it uses Internet Explorer 9. I have have had issues with a few web sites using IE 10 that work with IE 9.

[weenerdog]

Maybe use the Win 7 repair option to reset the boot drives? That's what I did, as Win8 didn't find Win7 on my unit.

I have to say, it seems like Win8 was created for the Duo. I can't imagine another device that can fully utilize all the features! I may actually buy this when it stabilizes...

[3dog]

At this point I am feeling that the screen size of the DUO is too small for the new Metro or touch interface. One issue is when you use the on-screen keyboard to type or handwrite it takes up too much real estate and you can't sometimes see what you are typing. Maybe this could be fixed if the screen would scoll up to the top of the on-screen keyboard as you typed. It would be nice if you could hear the click when you hit the letters or numbers like you can with the iphone (can be disabled). Also when you touch your typing to insert a letter your finger covers what you are trying to touch so you don't know if the cursor stuck or not. The iphone pops up a bubble and displays what you are touching above your finger. Cut and paste does not work with touch but does work with the DUO's keyboard. This is a demo and I don't expect evrything to work yet.