Microsoft Announces That There Will Be Just Three Editions of Windows 8

POST

MAIL

Posted April 17, 2012 at 3:14am by iClarified

Microsoft has announced that its next operating system will officially be called 'Windows 8' and will have just three editions. Previous versions of Windows offered a plethora of editions making it confusing for customers to decipher which they really needed.

--
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 (more details on this feature can be found in this blog post),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.
--

If you want to try an early version of Windows 8, Microsoft has released a consumer preview. You can find instructions that show you how to install Windows 8 on your Mac here.

Read More

Microsoft Announces That There Will Be Just Three Editions of Windows 8

Follow iClarified

Nassos - April 18, 2012 at 10:08am

Many editions....as usual..

Reply · Like

Giulio - April 18, 2012 at 8:25pm

And issues, head hacks and lots of money in techs to spend for user because does not work properly, too complicated get infected by all kind of viruses and crash constantly...after of course spending tons of money to buy it

Peter - April 17, 2012 at 1:27pm

This is great news but I trust they will find a way to make this into 16 versions and complicate consumers buying decisions to accommodate the checklist driven purchasing arrangements they have with large corporate buyers.

Gio - April 17, 2012 at 8:01am

Always taking ideas from Apple!!

lol - April 17, 2012 at 9:00am

Explain that you absolute fu.ck wit

Mustang - April 18, 2012 at 2:37pm

Windows account... Windows store... Applications... Sounds like OSX. Copying at the end, when they almost lost the battle.

Windoze.... - April 17, 2012 at 5:03am

Finally microsoft realizes less is more I expect windows 9 to be great after negative feedback they will get with the both mobile and desktop OS being combinied.

Tim Peck - April 17, 2012 at 2:54pm

Windows 8 is already great as it is. It's API rocks, there's nothing like it in the universe. iOS is still stuck in stone age with its outdated Object C!!!

joyz - April 17, 2012 at 4:50pm

Windows 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 all blow ... iOS multi platform is where it's at! Mountain lion here we come !

Tim Peck - April 18, 2012 at 7:15pm

multi-platform ? You really don't know what you're talking about. iOS can't even target resolution independant devices, let alone multi-platform.