Sunday, April 7, 2013
Windows 8 represents a radical change from previous Microsoft OSes. The traditional desktop has been relegated to the sidelines to make way for a new Modern (previously Metro) UI. This interface is touch-optimised, making it equally usable via finger- or keyboard-and-mouse input. However, in this environment, only specially coded apps are compatible. Windows 8 or ‘Modern UI’ apps are downloaded via the new Windows Store, or from third-party developer websites. The Windows Store is similar to Apple’s App Store and Google Play, with free and low-cost software available for download, but it’s comparatively barren. This is expected to change as more and more people upgrade or buy new PCs preinstalled with Windows 8, or tablets running Windows RT.
Let’s clear up one important point at the start: Windows 8 is written for x86 processors, such as the Intel and AMD variants found inside your existing PC or laptop; Windows RT is written for the ARM processors found inside your tablet or smartphone. Except that it won’t actually run on your smartphone – for that, you’ll need Windows Phone 8. Windows 8 and RT look the same, and use the same gestures, but there are some subtle differences. One is that you can’t buy Windows RT, in the same way you can’t buy iOS. It comes preinstalled on a tablet.
Windows RT is compatible with apps downloaded from the Windows Store, as is Windows 8. However, RT comes with Office preinstalled; Windows 8 does not. Windows RT doesn’t include the traditional Windows desktop required to run legacy programs; Windows 8 does. Both the standard version of Windows 8 and RT also lack some of the features found in Windows 8 Pro: there’s no Windows Media Player, nor BitLocker encryption, no domain support and, although there’s Remote Desktop, it works only as a client, so you can’t remotely connect to a Windows RT tablet. Windows RT includes the Internet Explorer 10.0 web browser, the Office 2013 productivity suite, plus apps for Mail, Calendar, Maps, Photos, Music, Videos, Weather, People, News, Travel, Finance and SkyDrive. There’s also Windows Defender, Exchange ActiveSync and support for virtual private networks (VPNs).
Internet Explorer 10.0 in Windows RT supports Flash, which is used on many websites and for a lot of internet video. Flash is also supported in the desktop version of Windows 8.
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