|
The Three (and a half) Versions of Windows 8
Much simpler than all those Win7 versions
When Windows 7 came out, I remember there were various flavors of the operating system - Starter, Basic, Home Premium, Professional, and I think there was even one for Enterprises. Not too confusing! With Windows 8 you really don't have to be aggravated over multiple iterations, or worry which one you should buy. Windows 8 is the version to buy if you're a home user or small business/ entrepreneur. It's the version I bought. Be aware, though, that the Media Center is no longer on board in the Home version. Surveys had discovered that very few users were utilizing the Media Center.
Windows 8 Pro is made for businesses. It does have the Media Center available as an add-on. It also has features for encryption, virtualization, PC management and domain connectivity.
Windows RT is what you'll find in tablets, and specifically the newly available Surface tablet. It is primarily designed to take advantage of the better battery life that tablets feature, and to take advantage of Microsoft's new Windows Store app platform. Windows RT devices also bring you a special version of Office 2013 optimized to run more efficiently in a low-power environment. Windows Phone 8 - is the "half". Technically, it came first, and this is the operating system found on Windows smart phones. Since its unveiling in June we've had a sneak peek at the future, as it features the "Metro" look, and the active tiles. I recently downloaded Windows 8 for one of my spare laptops, and so far have not found anything to gripe about. In future editions, I will be sharing the negatives and positives I run across so stay tuned. |
