You need to give Windows 8 a chance. It takes about 2 weeks of frustration before it becomes second nature.

Vista at release had a couple of issues: Memory hogging, bad or missing drivers (new driver model), and hardware that was sold as "Vista Ready" which wasn't.

"From what you hear" — most of what you hear on the topic is grossly over-blown if not downright ignorant, imho.

Every universal remote I know of does that. There's nothing "zany" about Logitech universal remotes. Why would you want to leave a loud, power-sucking device on when you're not using it?

I stated already I have a universal remote. It's already programmed. It replaces what would take FOUR remotes otherwise.

My universal remote shuts down the xbox when it switches to TV. That's the way it works. It optimizes the devices that are "on". I don't even know where the original remotes are. I have never in my LIFE touched a "change input" button. Ever. Why would I? Right now, my universal remote takes care of everything…

Because that's what the universal remote does. Instead of having five remotes, I have one. It "optimizes" what is on at any given time. Having to either find the original remotes, or figure out how to get this universal remote to do just those things would be a huge pain in the ass. Besides, the Xbox 360 is kind of…

So you've selected exactly one out of literally hundreds of scenarios to try and disprove them all as having any value? Really?

This makes me wonder why they don't come out with a version that allows CableCard installs, with a separate hard drive for DVR functionality. So I can eliminate the cable box entirely.

Seriously? You dont' think anyone watches TV any more? What planet are you ON? Because you're VERY divorced from every-day reality...

It's not about watching TV while you play games. It's about being able to quickly switch, without having to fumble for remotes, or remember channel numbers. And then added things like being able to watch TV while checking for some information online (without having to have a laptop in your lap at the same time). I…

So... your input source button automatically changes channels to the correct one? Really? That's fascinating.

I have a universal remote. When it switches to Xbox, it powers down the Cable box, and vice-versa. So it's nothing even remotely CLOSE to "instant".

Just last night I was playing a game, and I had to time a "check-point" so that it happened before my TV show came on. I then had to shut down the Xbox, fire up the TV/Cable, watch my show, and then reverse everything. What a pain. But this is normal and usual and "status quo".

I just take photos on my Windows Phone (Lumia 920), let it sync things to SkyDrive without a moment's thought, and let SkyDrive organize them. Completely effort and stress-free.

This seems both very interesting and rather important... it totally belongs in the story itself!

Or maybe your personal experience is not indicative of general experience. I got the play-n-charge kit for my Xbox 360 controller when I bought the box. It's still going strong. It's been YEARS.

Why wouldn't you want it? Voice commands rule. Being able to add some gesture controls to your regular controller-based games opens up a lot of interesting possibilities.

Wow, you're really an idiot.

See, for me the PS4 just isn't even remotely appealing. It's solidly "last gen" in everything except specs. There's nothing new there. And there are few compelling games for the platform imho (I'm an FPS guy... I have yet to see a PS-exclusive that even remotely interests me). I see no reason to get one. But the…