Windows 8 Editions Revealed

from WinCustomize Forums

One of my biggest gripes with Windows in past years has been the ridiculous amount of versions/SKU’s for Windows.  It was confusing to both consumers and business customers, and I was concerned this would happen again to Windows 8.  I was wrong and I am glad about that.

Today Microsoft announced the Windows 8 Editions and there are only a few to choose from:  Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows RT.

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 RT is the ARM version and will only be available on PC’s and Tablets pre-installed.  This edition will also include a touch optimized version of Office.

I’m glad they have simplified Windows 8, and I’m looking even more forward to getting the final release.

Check the Windows Blog for a comparison of features between editions.

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2012/04/16/announcing-the-windows-8-editions.aspx

 

134,877 views 47 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I'm going for the Not On My PC Edition. :thumbsdown:

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Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

LOL, the blog says, "It’s beautiful".  Yeah right, it looks like the boxes Fisher Price toys come in.

SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Wizard1956, reply 1
Not On My PC
End of Wizard1956's quote

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

A price range might be nice to see for some but not for me.  If Windows 8 was a Free upgrade right now I would stay with Windows 7.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Today Microsoft announced the Windows 8 Editions and there are only a few to choose from:  Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows RT.
End of quote

Finally.  The 30 billion Vista/7 eds were BS.

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Microsoft's finally learning from their mistakes.  It's back to just two flavors, just like in the XP era (before they added that Media Center crud. ;P )

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting VistArtXPosed, reply 6
Microsoft's finally learning from their mistakes.
End of VistArtXPosed's quote
If that were true, Windows 7 would be a stopping point.

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting VistArtXPosed, reply 6
Microsoft's finally learning from their mistakes.  It's back to just two flavors, just like in the XP era (before they added that Media Center crud. )
End of VistArtXPosed's quote

I have only been using XP since I got into computers, but now that I have been introduced to 7, I see why people don't like Media Center, its just hard to use, plain and simple.

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

If they don't fix the stuff Brad's complaining about, I'm not purchasing a downgrade.

 

 

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Wizard1956, reply 1
I'm going for the Not On My PC Edition.
End of Wizard1956's quote
:hrmph:

Quoting gevansmd, reply 2
LOL, it looks like the boxes Fisher Price toys come in.
End of gevansmd's quote
:-"

Quoting Zeta1127, reply 8


its just hard to use, plain and simple.
End of Zeta1127's quote
Lmfao :rofl:

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Anyone ever heard the term "ABSOLUTE GARBAGE!"? What a waste of my TechNet Subscription. :(

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting LightStar, reply 11
Anyone ever heard the term "ABSOLUTE GARBAGE!"? What a waste of my TechNet Subscription.
End of LightStar's quote

And to think I was going to purchase a TechNet subscription prior to the next OS release. This was shortly after purchasing Win 7 for 3 machines [no family license available here in Oz] and finding out about the benefits of a TechNet sub after the fact, but now I'm not so sure. While Office and past Oses are available through it, my primary reason to have purchased a Technet sub would have been to furnish 4 PC's with the next OS, and to date I have not been convinced that Win 8 is indeed an upgrade to Win 7. 

I have played a bit with the Win 8 Customer Preview and I don't mind working within the regular desktop, it's not too much different to Win 7 underneath, but if we're always forced back into Metro as the default OS, and it cannot be disabled, then there would have to be some more than compelling features/reason for me to purchase Win 8.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting starkers, reply 12
I have played a bit with the Win 8 Customer Preview and I don't mind working within the regular desktop, it's not too much different to Win 7 underneath, but if we're always forced back into Metro as the default OS, and it cannot be disabled, then there would have to be some more than compelling features/reason for me to purchase Win 8
End of starkers's quote
After you got Win8 set up, how much time did you spend in Metro?  I never do anymore.

Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Zubaz, reply 13
After you got Win8 set up, how much time did you spend in Metro? I never do anymore.
End of Zubaz's quote

I spend no time in Metro once I'm into what I want to do.  However, I find that I'm taken back to Metro too often, like after reboots and other interruptions.... and it always has to be negotiated at startup.  For me that's an annoyance I'd rather not have to deal with.  Admittedly, Winstep Xtreme takes much of the Metro pain away, but I'd rather that Metro could be disabled entirely so that I do not have to deal with it at all.

Microsoft may think its smart in trying to marry different platforms under one OS, but I never use those other technologies and do not want the abomination that is Metro forced upon me as the default UI.

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I've not tried it yet, but here is a link to skip or switch to the desktop on startup.  http://www.wiztechie.com/2012/03/windows-8-consumer-preview-bypass-metro-start-screen-and-show-desktop-on-startup/

Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thanks for the heads up, Aaron, I'll give it a try once I've had some sleep.... 1.52am here in Oz and I'm tired as. :zzz:

Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Zubaz, reply 15
I've not tried it yet, but here is a link to skip or switch to the desktop on startup.  End of Zubaz's quote
">http://www.wiztechie.com/2012/03/windows-8-consumer-preview-bypass-metro-start-screen-and-show-desktop-on-startup/[/quote]

I'm sad that I had to ditch win8.  It was way more efficient.

But no drivers for my 3g modem and gaming was less than stellar for many titles.  :(

(Yes, I can still use it with internet, no, I'm not going to dual boot.  Too annoying.)

Reply #18 from Elemental Forums Top

RDP access is the only feature of XP/Vista/7 home that was missing that I always needed.  Hopefully they will allow it in 8, but I doubt it.

 

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting gevansmd, reply 2
LOL, the blog says, "It’s beautiful".  Yeah right, it looks like the boxes Fisher Price toys come in.
End of gevansmd's quote

 

hahaha, good one!

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Wizard1956, reply 1
I'm going for the Not On My PC Edition.
End of Wizard1956's quote

 

Agreed.  Not until there is a Metro-less release.

Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top

Haaaaaaaa! the boo birds are out again. . .

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting lee3908870, reply 21
Haaaaaaaa! the boo birds are out again. . .
End of lee3908870's quote

It all comes down to being a customer or user and our own individual choices.  It's not always that folks are reluctant to change.  :sun:

Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The other thing that pisses me off about Metro apps concept is MS' trying to emulate Apple, etc, and cash in on other folks works by taking a 30% slice off the top.  While it may seem a paltry amount per app, though probably not to the author, it will net MS millions upon millions, and for mine, that's just not right.  It's certainly not a market I will buy into... or from.  All the functionality and eye candy I need is in my purchased software and freeware I've downloaded, so apps and tile thingies are not something that'll get on my systems.

Reply #25 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting gevansmd, reply 23
Windows 8

Reduced 75%Original 800 x 450

Fisher Price

Reduced 88%Original 500 x 500
End of gevansmd's quote

sooooo use the dev preview instead of the consumer preview a lot to 'prove' your point do you