8 new and radical features of Microsoft's latest operating system

#1) Tablet or PC?

Windows 8 sports two radically different interfaces in one device. There is the new ‘tile’ Modern UI, which is optimized for touchscreens and tablets and can be swiped and pinched for quick use. And then there is the good old Windows desktop, which works in the same way as your classic Windows PC.

Users can swap between the two interfaces with a single click or tap of the Windows key, allowing them to choose the right tools for the right task. For example, they might prefer to play games and use apps on the ‘tile’ interface while creating a work document in the old desktop.

The dual interface gives users the best of both worlds, but not all consumers find the new ‘tile’ look easy to learn. The location of many settings is not obvious, and some consumers have complained about the lack of a Start button.

University student Quah Hou Teck, 24, who was one of the first to enter the Windows 8 launch event in Singapore, said: “It has a fresh look, like it’s not Windows anymore, with the new metro layout. I was a bit lost as they introduced a lot of new gestures, like the Charms. New users could be very, very confused. There should be more ways to publicise these new features.”