All about Windows 8 and you (and MYOB and tablets and more)

17
Oct

Microsoft’s latest operating system – Windows 8 – will be released in Australia and New Zealand on the 26^th October.

The release represents a major shift in what we software types fondly refer to as ‘user experience’. In other words, it works differently to what you’re used to. Windows 8, you see, was built for tablets. Essentially, it’s Microsoft recognising (and responding to) the profound impact its major competitor – Apple – has had with the iPad.

So Windows 8 looks all ‘appy’ compared to the usual Windows 7 and XP experience. In fact, the first thing new Windows 8 users will notice when they start with it is the complete absence of a start button. Eek!

Figure 1: Windows 8 looking all ‘appy’

This article isn’t just about Windows 8, however. Well, not really. No – today I’m focussed on how MYOB software will work with Windows 8. In particular, how AccountRight will work on new Windows 8 tablets.

First things first, Windows 8 will come in two flavours, Windows RT and, well, Windows 8.

There is a BIG difference between these two versions: Windows 8 is compatible with existing windows programs – Windows RT is not.

Windows RT will be primarily found in tablets that run a chip called an ARM processor. OK … so far, so good.

However, Windows 8 will ALSO be found in tablets that run a standard Intel Chip – uh oh…

You’ll need to be VERY careful when purchasing one of these devices if you need your existing Windows applications to run.

Let me make this quite clear by shouting: THE WINDOWS 8 VERSION IS THE ONE THAT MYOB SOFTWARE IS COMPATIBLE WITH.

EDIT – The Windows 8 compatible versions of AccountRight are due for release 8 November.

As an example, the Microsoft tablet ‘Surface’ will come in two versions – Intel and ARM. The ARM tablet will run windows RT and will NOT run MYOB software. The Intel tablet will run Windows 8. Righto – hopefully that’s clear now.

The Windows RT operating system is more like the iOS system in an iPad, in that it uses apps from the Windows Store as opposed to standard software applications (and yes, I realise app is short for application, but hopefully you know what I mean in this context).

Of course, there’s another consideration in all of this: assuming you’re considering the switch to Windows 8 (and of course you’ll now know to choose the Windows 8 option), you need to know whether your existing software is compatible.

My recommendation? It’s boring but you should really do a search to check whether your important applications (not just your MYOB software) are ‘Windows 8 ready’.

Fortunately we’ve made it easy for you to perform the check on your MYOB software. Go to our New Microsoft Environments section of our website and check out our list of compatible versions. Easy.

What others are saying

Author

Steven Wright

October 29, 2012 at 11:35 am

I’ve got myself a copy of Windows 8 Pro on the weekend. It’s really cheap compared to 7, so looking forward to playing around with it!

Author

Jess

October 29, 2012 at 1:57 pm

Great but would have been more useful if “MYOB COMPATIBLE WITH WINDOWS 8 AFTER NOVEMBER 8th” had have been the first line of this post…

Unfortunately I got as far as “Let me make this quite clear by shouting: THE WINDOWS 8 VERSION IS THE ONE THAT MYOB SOFTWARE IS COMPATIBLE WITH.” and went ‘no worries’, Windows list MYOB as being compatible after doing a compatibility check, and this guy SHOUTS that it’s compatible so I upgraded.
Stupid me!!!!!!!!!!!

- Author
  
  Alistair Nestor Communications Manager – Business Division
  
  October 29, 2012 at 2:25 pm
  
  Nope, more like stupid me.
  
  Although it mentions the release date in the compatibility check, I failed to include a reference to it in this article. The reason? MYOB hadn’t announced the launch date at the time of publication.
  
  Now that the launch of AccountRight Live has been announced for November 8, I can add that date to this article.
  
  Small comfort for you, I know, so please accept my apology for not making it clearer for you : (
  
Author

Richa

April 5, 2013 at 1:57 pm

I bought my new window 8 notebook recently, and I installed MYOB sports station setup which is a practice set for students and it’s having accounting plus v19 but whenever I tried to use it window appers with message that it’s not responding. I check the compatibility before installing the setup. Plz help me to overcome with this problem ASAP, bcoz Ite a part of my academic curriculum and I need to submit my assignment soon.

- Author
  
  Aishah Mustapha Blog Content Editor
  
  April 5, 2013 at 3:22 pm
  
  Hi Richa,
  
  I’ve checked with our support. Did you get your student edition from your education provider? We’ve sent out the latest v19 that is compatible with Win 8 to education providers.
  
  If you are still having trouble, i can email you something for the latest version or get someone to contact you.
  
  Cheers,
  Aishah
  
  - Author
    
    Richa
    
    April 5, 2013 at 3:31 pm
    
    HI Aishash, thanx for ur quick response, yes I bought it from my university…I don’t know why it’s c creating problems.
  - Author
    
    Richa
    
    April 5, 2013 at 11:04 pm
    
    Hii Aishah..I am waiting for ur help..plz mail me on this I’d- ricahuja@gmail.com