Windows 8 is about to be released in Market soon.It would be available in various editions that would help us decided to which one is the best for us to buy when we buy a Windows 8 PC or upgrade the existing one.
Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro are the two versions available for PC and tablets powered by x86 Processors (32 bit and 64bit). Windows 8 would be right choice for many consumers,where as Windows 8 Pro is designor you can say mainly targeted for Tech Enthusiasts and Business/Technical professionals.
In Windows 8 Pro,features like encryption,virtualization,PC management and domain connectivity would be there.Moreover Windows Media Center would be made available as Economical add-on pack for Windows 8 Pro users.
Another new member is added to Windows Family so called Windows RT.Its also known as Windows on ARM or WOA.This would be single edition OS,pre-installed on PC and tablets powered by ARM processors.Its specially designed thus helping new thin and lightweight form factors with impressive battery life.
Windows RT would include touch-optimized desktop version of new Microsoft Word,Excel,PowerPoint and One Note.In the following chart,you can see which features are available in which version:
| Feature name | Windows 8 | Windows 8 Pro | Windows RT |
| Upgrades from Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium | x | x | |
| Upgrades from Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate | x | ||
| Start screen, Semantic Zoom, Live Tiles | x | x | x |
| Windows Store | x | x | x |
| Apps (Mail, Calendar, People, Messaging, Photos, SkyDrive, Reader, Music, Video) | x | x | x |
| Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote) | x | ||
| Internet Explorer 10 | x | x | x |
| Device encryption | x | ||
| Connected standby | x | x | x |
| Microsoft account | x | x | x |
| Desktop | x | x | x |
| Installation of x86/64 and desktop software | x | x | |
| Updated Windows Explorer | x | x | x |
| Windows Defender | x | x | x |
| SmartScreen | x | x | x |
| Windows Update | x | x | x |
| Enhanced Task Manager | x | x | x |
| Switch languages on the fly (Language Packs) | x | x | x |
| Better multiple monitor support | x | x | x |
| Storage Spaces | x | x | |
| Windows Media Player | x | x | |
| Exchange ActiveSync | x | x | x |
| File history | x | x | x |
| ISO / VHD mount | x | x | x |
| Mobile broadband features | x | x | x |
| Picture password | x | x | x |
| Play To | x | x | x |
| Remote Desktop (client) | x | x | x |
| Reset and refresh your PC | x | x | x |
| Snap | x | x | x |
| Touch and Thumb keyboard | x | x | x |
| Trusted boot | x | x | x |
| VPN client | x | x | x |
| BitLocker and BitLocker To Go | x | ||
| Boot from VHD | x | ||
| Client Hyper-V | x | ||
| Domain Join | x | ||
| Encrypting File System | x | ||
| Group Policy | x | ||
| Remote Desktop (host) | x |
So which version of Windows 8 you are going to buy ? Do let us know through comments.
Related posts:
- Download Windows 8 Release Preview
- You can now download Windows 8 RTM 90 Days trial version!
- First wave of Xbox Live games have been announced for Windows 8
- Microsoft Office and PDF Viewers for Windows Embedded Compact 7 Available Now
- How to Skip Metro Start Screen and Boot Directly into Desktop in Windows 8?
I am looking forward to the new windows. I don’t know what features i could use that Windows 7 don’t offer but anyway! I am sure something will impress me!