Windows 8 is the official product name for the next x86/64 editions of Windows.
For PCs and tablets powered by x86 processors (both 32 and 64 bit), we will have two editions: Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro. For many consumers, Windows 8 will be the right choice. It will include all the features above plus an updated Windows Explorer, Task Manager, better multi-monitor support and the ability to switch languages on the fly,which was previously only available in Enterprise/Ultimate editions of Windows. For China and a small set of select emerging markets, we will offer a local language-only edition of Windows 8.
Windows 8 Pro is designed to help tech enthusiasts and business/technical professionals obtain a broader set of Windows 8 technologies. It includes all the features in Windows 8 plus features for encryption, virtualization, PC management and domain connectivity. Windows Media Center will be available as an economical “media pack” add-on to Windows 8 Pro. If you are an enthusiast or you want to use your PC in a business environment, you will want Windows 8 Pro.
Windows RT is the newest member of the Windows family – also known as Windows on ARM or WOA, as we’ve referred to it previously. This single edition will only be available pre-installed on PCs and tablets powered by ARM processors and will help enable new thin and lightweight form factors with impressive battery life. Windows RT will include touch-optimized desktop versions of the new Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. For new apps, the focus for Windows RT is development on the new Windows runtime, or WinRT, which we unveiled in September and forms the foundation of a new generation of cloud-enabled, touch-enabled, web-connected apps of all kinds. For more details on WOA, we suggest reading this blog post which shares more detail on how we have been building Windows 8 to run on the ARM architecture.
When will Microsoft finally give users a fair go – NEVER would probably be the answer to that.
They should at least not lead general everyday users down the path of advising them to buy Windows 8 instead of the Pro version. It is Windows XP and XP Pro all over again. Plus how do you like the Media Pack add on for PRO only. Any way to score another dollar.
So users will buy Windows 8, find that it doesn’t allow Virtualisation when every second magazine you pick up is spreading its virtues. No sorry you can’t do that without an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro.
Oh well that is another good reason I opted out of Windows on the arrival of Vista. I thought about Windows 7 but was and still am totally opposed to paying through the nose for Ultimate. Again the reason I won’t buy Premium or any of the other options is that it always results in having to Upgrade for the extra feature you want at some stage.
Gee I wonder why Apple are still gaining ground these days – it might be slowly but it is happening. I nowadays use Linux as my main Operating System and have for about 6 years with my only Windows use being to run a particular Genealogy program which I am slowly going away from. For that I use my old copy of XP and it looks like it will remain that way – my virtual copy of XP run in Virtualbox in Linux.
Microsoft it is about time you realised that raping your client base over and over is not a good PR look or feel. Bring out a Single copy of Windows that anyone can use that is fully functional, at a decent price and you just might start winning back some people. Until then the gradual decline will only increase. Take a look at the European administrations now moving away from Windows and a whole lot of financially challenged others around the globe. It doesn’t number hundreds or even thousands but instead tens of thousands, I don’t think that is inconsequential to any company bottomline.
Before people start thinking here is another Linux fanboy, forget it. I have owned every copy of Microsoft OS from 2.0 upwards and have them all sitting in my disc and CD cabinets. That was everything up to XP with the exception of Microsoft Millenium Edition (ME). I spent a lot of my hard earned money learning how to utilise Windows when it came along and was generally happy enough with it until Microsoft started going over the top with their Multi Versioned releases. Most people are willing to suffer minor inconveniences and the like from time to time but do not appreciate it when companies begin taking the mickey out of them – thanks but no thanks Mr Ballmer.