Windows 8 editions announced

[blubbermarble]

Microsoft has announced the editions available for Windows 8.

For PCs/tablets powered by x86 (32-bit & 64-bit) processors, there are two editions: Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro.
The edition, Windows 8, is the most recommended choice for consumers who use at home.
If you are working on a business, Windows 8 Pro is the edition that is used for business.

For China and a small set of select emerging markets (eg. Malaysia, Singapore, Mexico, Brazil), Microsoft will only offer a language-only edition of Windows 8.

For netbooks/tablets on ARM processors, Microsoft has announced the newest member of the Windows family known as Windows RT. It is the ARM version of Windows 8. This edition will only be pre-installed in new netbooks/tablets starting late 2012.

Here is the table of features:

Don't forget to try the beta version of Windows 8 known as Windows 8 Consumer Preview at http://www.windows8.com.
Try out the desktop themes made for Windows 8 at My8 Desktop Themes: http://my8desktopthemes.blogspot.com

Source: Windows Team Blog

 

[raulpica]

Finally, I couldn't stand all those different editions Win7 had.

 

[chartube12]

Pro is an ultimate edition and business merged into one. Home basic was so useless it was dropped completely. Pro isn't just for business. Some features and plugins are locked out of Windows 8 and only available for purchase in windows 8 pro. Windows media center is one such thing, only buy-able for pro. Pro is aimed for midrange-powerusers, while non-pro is aimed for casual-midrange users. I have been test beta testing some apps for windows 8. On my final week of testing and I guarantee many will fall in-love with windows 8. Those who don't will always hate it. Windows 8 is a love/hate product, no in between.

 

[rehevkor]

I like how RT lacks "installation of x86/64 desktop software". I hope tablets won't be forced to use RT.

 

[raulpica]

I like how RT lacks "installation of x86/64 desktop software". I hope tablets won't be forced to use RT.

As long as they have an ARM cpu, yes, they will.

If they've got an x86/x64 CPU on it, it's not like you can install RT anyway

 

[chris888222]

Personally I don't like the looks of Windows 8 on PC. I think it looks more suitable on tablets.

I guess I'll stick with 7 unless there's a very huge feature which drools me.

 

[Deleted User]

Personally I don't like the looks of Windows 8 on PC. I think it looks more suitable on tablets.

I guess I'll stick with 7 unless there's a very huge feature which drools me.

The UI from 11 is pretty much the app center, the main desktop still looks like W7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VnsHmVs1UA

 

[chris888222]

Personally I don't like the looks of Windows 8 on PC. I think it looks more suitable on tablets.

I guess I'll stick with 7 unless there's a very huge feature which drools me.

The UI from 11 is pretty much the app center, the main desktop still looks like W7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VnsHmVs1UA

Oh. It's customizable?

I change my words about the looks, but I doubt I'll use the app center much if I upgrade.

 

[Deleted User]

W8 has a lot of new features that interest me, One of them is passive mounting of disc images*
Aka no more Daemon tools and such.

 

[FAST6191]

I have not really given it a chance yet but the UI seems to be a continuation down the "hide" the nice stuff from those that want it path although to be fair I am still railing against ribbon.

I do have to wonder if they will continue to sell 7 alongside 8 as with XP ending in just under two years I am planning some upgrades for various clients and foisting windows 8 upon them will probably not go over well and if doing that I might as well move them to linux full time with virtualisation and VNC/RDP where it is needed.

Also I wonder with the few SKUs what the eventual prices might be although group policy and domain joining are the only things I can not trivially work around and lesser versions otherwise do not seem to be that bad* any more (although I await clarification on allowed numbers of processors and cores).

*domain and GPO aside not that extras get used in place of alternatives.

On the other hand I am hearing nothing but good things about the windows server 8 or whatever it will be called in the end.

 

[Pong20302000]

you guys missed a edition

 

[chartube12]

The article is about consumer versions. so enterprise doesn't count.

 

[chartube12]

Personally I don't like the looks of Windows 8 on PC. I think it looks more suitable on tablets.

I guess I'll stick with 7 unless there's a very huge feature which drools me.

The UI from 11 is pretty much the app center, the main desktop still looks like W7

Oh. It's customizable?

I change my words about the looks, but I doubt I'll use the app center much if I upgrade.

It's not really customizable. Has I been saying for nearly a year, the metro ui is just the start screen aka the giant app drawer. The desktop is still there on 8, pro and enterprise. Only RT has the start screen 24/7

 

[chris888222]

Personally I don't like the looks of Windows 8 on PC. I think it looks more suitable on tablets.

I guess I'll stick with 7 unless there's a very huge feature which drools me.

The UI from 11 is pretty much the app center, the main desktop still looks like W7

Oh. It's customizable?

I change my words about the looks, but I doubt I'll use the app center much if I upgrade.

It's not really customizable. Has I been saying for nearly a year, the metro ui is just the start screen aka the giant app drawer. The desktop is still there on 8, pro and enterprise. Only RT has the start screen 24/7

Cool. Microsoft doesn't disappoint.

I guess I will wait for true commercial release for the extra juice and reviews.

 

[ZAFDeltaForce]

Personally I don't like the looks of Windows 8 on PC. I think it looks more suitable on tablets.

I guess I'll stick with 7 unless there's a very huge feature which drools me.

You mean the Metro interface? It's too clunky to use with a mouse unless you have a touch screen monitor.

It doesn't help that Microsoft is pretty much shoving Metro down our throats too

 

[chris888222]

Personally I don't like the looks of Windows 8 on PC. I think it looks more suitable on tablets.

I guess I'll stick with 7 unless there's a very huge feature which drools me.

You mean the Metro interface? It's too clunky to use with a mouse unless you have a touch screen monitor.

It doesn't help that Microsoft is pretty much shoving Metro down our throats too

Yup, I'm referring to the Metro UI.

But as long as the normal '7-like' style is there for a commercial PC, I'm in.

 

[raulpica]

W8 has a lot of new features that interest me, One of them is passive mounting of disc images*
Aka no more Daemon tools and such.

They'll probably only support .iso and .cue/.bin (maybe .mds too?), so you'll still need it for .nrg support, .ccd, .mds and others... and protection emulation for things like SafeDisc.

 

[Coto]

W8 has a lot of new features that interest me, One of them is passive mounting of disc images*
Aka no more Daemon tools and such.

They'll probably only support .iso and .cue/.bin (maybe .mds too?), so you'll still need it for .nrg support, .ccd, .mds and others... and protection emulation for things like SafeDisc.

xD. In the end it'll be much better to put daemon tools working.. Also the more Microsoft implements something, it'll be sure full of AP measures

 

[kthnxshwn]

"Only" three versions lol

 

[shakirmoledina]

for those who used the consumer preview, the metro view is quite annoying. i hope they dont force it on w8 desktop users.