It's been a long time coming, sensing market resistance to the Start menu-devoid Windows 8, Lenovo became the first major PC OEM to bundle a third-party Start menu emulation software with its PCs. The company is bundling SweetLabs Pokki custom UI suite, which adds a Start menu to the Windows 8 taskbar, and lets you boot the operating system straight to desktop, pole-vaulting the Start screen. Pokki may come pre-installed, or the bloatware disc might have its installers. Lenovo plans to give away Pokki with most of its ThinkPad, IdeaPad, and IdeaCenter products. As the single largest PC OEM, Lenovo's move to bundle such software could force Microsoft to sit up and take notice of what the market wants.

13 Comments on Lenovo First Major PC OEM to Bundle Third-Party Windows 8 Start Menu

#1 puma99dk|

hmm it looks a little too Lenovo and less useful :laugh: Posted on Aug 23rd 2013, 7:27 Reply

#2 MT Alex

Too bad they didn't bundle a Stardock product. :( Posted on Aug 23rd 2013, 8:42 Reply

#3 buggalugs

Its pretty serious when a computer does something like this. Windows 8 is affecting sales because people just don't like it. People want their traditional desktop.



I don't know why Microsoft cant have an option for traditional or modern UI. Posted on Aug 23rd 2013, 11:31 Reply

#4 remixedcat

That is so gawdy and too android looking for windows 8.



At least bundle Classic Shell and use the Windows 8 theme for it. This doesn't even look that much like the windows 7 start menu and nearer to XP or KDE. o_O Posted on Aug 23rd 2013, 11:34 Reply

#5 craigo

It reminds me alot more of unity than android or K desktop. I do like it though. Posted on Aug 23rd 2013, 12:11 Reply

#6 Prima.Vera

buggalugs I don't know why Microsoft cant have an option for traditional or modern UI. Because Ballmer is just plain idiot, or he is intentionally on a crashing course with Microsoft. He is doing huge "mistakes" one after the other, just like the other idiot who took Apple leadership. The world needs some new great visionaries like Bill Gates or Steve Jobs... Because Ballmer is just plain idiot, or he is intentionally on a crashing course with Microsoft. He is doing huge "mistakes" one after the other, just like the other idiot who took Apple leadership. The world needs some new great visionaries like Bill Gates or Steve Jobs... Posted on Aug 23rd 2013, 12:41 Reply

#7 Solidstate89

It's glorified ad-ware. Look at all those "apps" it wants you to install. This is the same OEM shitware they always bundle, just in the guise of a Start Menu replacement. Posted on Aug 23rd 2013, 13:13 Reply

#8 Sasqui

LOL, I *still* don't see the "Run..." command.



And when are they going to re-instate the windows explorer search options that were in XP, so you don't have to look up help online everytime. :shadedshu Posted on Aug 23rd 2013, 14:54 Reply

#9 jboydgolfer

Windows 8 is a TRULY poor release. FanboY's be damned, U know it's true, it is disliked across the MAJORITY of PC users, and takes either a blind follower to like it, or a total yuppie to get it, SIMPLY because it's new.



Wake Me when they bundle it with a Copy of a PROPER follow up to 7. Posted on Aug 23rd 2013, 15:55 Reply

#11 Rhyseh

Under the hood win 8 is a good OS. However there is a very good reason why we downgrade every new pc from win8 to win7. No one likes the confusing interface and unclosable "apps" it directs you to... Posted on Aug 24th 2013, 2:17 Reply

#12 remixedcat

Sasqui LOL, I *still* don't see the "Run..." command.



And when are they going to re-instate the windows explorer search options that were in XP, so you don't have to look up help online everytime. :shadedshu Posted on Aug 24th 2013, 3:01 Reply