Windows 8 was released and it has represented
the biggest change since Windows 95. Jim Martin took a closer look to the final
version.
Windows 8 was released in October 26th when
it would become the most installed operating system on new PCs and laptops. Its
variant, Winndows RT is also available for tablets among which is Microsoft
Surface. Concurrently, Windows Phone 8 was due to appear on smartphones. In the
following, we would keep talking about everything related to Windows 8 – except
for Windows Phone 8 which was not available at then.
System requirements: 1GHz processor, 1GB (2GB
for 64bit version) of RAM, 16GB (32GB for 64bit version), 1024x768pixel
resolution, DirectX 9, Internet connection, multi-pointing screen for interactive
inputting.
Everything changed
An
entire change
You may have been accustomed to, at least,
one of Windows versions used in most PCs at present: Windows XP, Windows Vista
and Windows 7. Improvements have been made through years but those versions
share common foundation with Windows 95. Now, there are 2 different operating
systems: Windows 8 (and Windows 8 Pro) for PC/laptop and Windows RT for
ARM-based tablet.
Windows 8 represents a thorough change. The
conventional home screen is now replaced to make room for new “Moder UI” (dubbed
as Metro UI before). The interface is optimized for touch-sensitive
interaction, making it easy to input data by hand for keyboard with mouse. However,
in this environment, only specially coded apps are compatible.
Windows 8 or “Modern” apps can be
downloaded from new Windows Store or third-party websites. Like App Store and
Google Play, Windows Store appears shows free and budget apps for downloading.
There may be few apps at first. This will be changed when more and more people
upgrade operating system or purchase new PC installed with Windows 8, or
tablets run on Windows RT.
You can still execute old programs on
Classic Home screen in Windows 8 PC/laptop, but not in devices run on Windows
RT.
Windows
8 upgrade
You don’t need to buy any new PC/lap to
have Windows 8. Like previous versions, you can upgrade your current Windows
version up to Windows 8 though there will be some limitation in file formats
and settings.
Those who are using Windows XP can only transfer
data while Vista users are able to transfer settings. Only Windows 7 users continue
using installed programs, some of which may be incompatible. The system’s
installer will notify you of what to do or which program needs uninstalling.
Windows
8 vs. Windows RT
We must be clear that: Windows 8 is coded
for x86 processor (Intel or AMD) which can be found in your present PC/laptop;
Windows RT is built for ARM processor appearing in smartphone/tablet. Except
for the fact that it cannot run on your smartphone, you need to get along with
Windows Phone 8. Windows 8 and Windows RT are not the same though they share
common operations.
Windows
8 vs. Windows RT
One bearable thing is that you can’t purchase
Windows RT like you can’t, either, with iOS from Apple. It is, by default,
installed on the tablet.
Windows RT is compatible with apps
downloaded from Windows Store, like Windows 8. However, RT version includes
Microsoft Office while Windows 8 doesn’t.
Windows RT doesn’t feature conventional
home screen for running programs but Windows 8 does. Besides, two standards
version of Windows 8 and RT lack some features which appear only in Windows 8
Pro. They are Windows Media Player, BitLocker and domain support. Although Remote
Desktop is available, it functions as a client app thus you can gain remote
access to Windows RT tablet.
Windows RT has Internet Explorer 10.0, Office
2013 suit, Mail, Calendar, Maps, Photos, Music, Videos, Weather, People, News, Travel,
Finance and SkyDrive. There’re also Windows Defender, Exchange ActiveSync and
support for VPN.
Microsoft confirmed that IE 10.0 (in RT
version) would support Flash. It has been widely used in many websites on the
Internet. Flash is also included in Windows 8 (desktop version).
Microsoft’s
Surface introduced uses Windows RT.
