ARM-Based Windows 8 Tablets Could Lose Desktop
ARM-Based Windows 8 Tablets Could Lose Desktop
Posted 12/02/2011 at 3:50pm
| by Ryan Whitwam
14
Comments
Print
According to Microsoft-watcher Paul Thurrott, Microsoft may be working toward a future where Windows 8 tablets ship without the Windows desktop. Users of these ARM-based devices would be limited to the Metro interface. This would be a significant departure from Redmond’s previous “no compromises” strategy that would have provided users both operating environments on ARM systems.
If true, Microsoft will have essentially bifurcated the Windows 8 product into two completely different lines. The x86 users would have Metro and the regular desktop, but could ARM users get by in just Metro? it is unclear what this means for convertible tablet devices, but it’s probably still going to come down to what chip a device is running.
Removing the Windows desktop from ARM devices could allow them to be marketed differently. They would be the iPad competitor that Microsoft has been thus far unable to deliver. It would also have the added benefit of simplifying user interaction with the device. Do you think a Windows 8 tablet without the desktop will compare favorably to the iPad?
More like this
14
Comments
Comments are closed on this article
kixofmyg0t
December 03, 2011 at 9:31am
i've moved on sort of from Windows. Since I've had my Xoom for this past year, and I use it ALOT more than my PC....using a PC with a desktop just feels...1980's ish...
Idk it's weird, like just using traditional "Windows" desktop on my Win7 Pro comp seems more "clunky" and innefficient. Even things like using the mouse(a Logitech G500)....which is 99% of what interaction with PC's is....feels so limiting.
I personally like Metro though. I personally think that Windows should be split into 2 versions on PC. The standard version with metro and a barebones limited "classic" version for the PC "elitest" that want to cling to the old way of interaction.
Taz0
December 03, 2011 at 8:45am
Since the ARM version of Windows 8 cannot run any application designed for the x86 version, there are currently zero applications that will run on ARM's 'Desktop'. Any new application will be developed in Metro, since that is Windows 8's new native API (x86's old Win32 APIs will eventually be deprecated).
For x86 it makes sense to keep the desktop since there is a whole ecosystem living on it. For ARM, there are currently zero applications that will run on its desktop and there will always be zero. So why keep the desktop part?
pratikrawankar
December 03, 2011 at 2:54am
Microsoft is going to replay the history from Vista
Windows 8 ARM will be nothing more than 2nd Generation Vista in 21st cenctury
with improved Headache and digital painI hate metro UI __its terrible
Windows without ""Windows"" __never be called windows
so this way windows 8 will never take down __the no. of windows 7 user in whole world in next 3 yrs
waiting for Windows 365 in 2015 for better tablet ??
ans---Never
Ipad 2 and android tabs will always be my first choice 365 days
twister753
December 02, 2011 at 11:59pm
So... the two things that make a Windows tablet better than others (A. Actual windows, and B. The ability to use existing Windows programs) are now gone? Why would anyone use this anymore rather than an iPad or Android tablet? I don't understand. Also, if they're basically two separate OS's now, why is the Metro UI still on Laptop/Desktop Windows 8, if the Metro UI is for tablets anyway.
Morete
December 02, 2011 at 7:44pm
If Linux would stick to one version and not be the bloody mess that it is, closed source developers would distribute to it instead of Windows. Linux for years could of been a great alternative to Windows operating systems, but they're too stubborn to focus on one closed source OS for the main stream public. There are so many Linux versions, desktop managers, UI kits, etc... that developers don't want to distribute their work as open source, where the user can (try to) recompile so it fits his unique combination of packages, libraries and settings, it's a nightmare!
On the other hand, Microsoft is providing (most of the time) incredible backward compatibility and platform stability. It is possible to target whole range of machines with one closed-source installer, for instance computers running Windows XP, Vista and 7, 32 and 64 bits flavors, without proper DX or VC redistributables installed, etc...
Now Windows comes out with an OS that many desktop users don't like or want. Desktop gamers for example, would glady use a Linux OS as an alternative but we can't because of the open source mess!
kixofmyg0t
December 03, 2011 at 9:21am
I agree. Theirs just too many versions of Linux, all of them are different.
Honestly IMO if any Linux has a chance to overtake windows, it's Android.
twister753
December 03, 2011 at 12:00am
As much as I agree, it could never happen because open source basically is the purpose of Linux.
winmaster
December 02, 2011 at 7:40pm
I thought the biggest appeal to Windows on ARM was the ability to run existing Windows binaries. How are they going to do that without the desktop interface, which existing apps will need.
Windows 8 will be the next Vista. Once again, MS have their heads shoved where the sun don't shine.
hades_2100
December 02, 2011 at 11:24pm
Everything I've read said that ARM will NOT run existing binaries. They require native ARM versions.
Neufeldt2002
December 02, 2011 at 9:07pm
Everything I have read on Windows 8 for ARM states that it requires you to have NEW apps designed to run on ARM. I have never read that you can run existing binaries, can you please post where you have gotten this info?
livebriand
December 02, 2011 at 6:41pm
The Metro UI sucks big time, so if I'm stuck with it that will be a total dealbreaker. Windows 7 is a great OS as it is, and Windows 8 has nice technical improvements but that metro UI is TERRIBLE, so I will be DEFINITELY disabling it if I upgrade to Windows 8 eventually.
aarcane
December 02, 2011 at 5:43pm
I *MIGHT* switch to windows 8 on both my device and my desktop, IFF (If and only if, for the laymen out there) I could use the same two interfaces on both. If this isn't the case, there will have to be a MAJOR reason (read: Diablo 4, Deus Ex: Something New, or a damn good Wheel of Time game) to switch for me. Windows 7 is the first microsoft operating system I've been completely happy with in a looong time, and a lot of that is the interface.
QUINTIX256
December 02, 2011 at 5:04pm
I'm sure this is simply an edition that is below "Home Basic" which can be priced at the same level as windows phone.
loozer
December 02, 2011 at 3:58pm
There is only one "App" in windows 8 that I would ever use: Desktop. Windows without "windows" cannot be called windows.
Connect with MaximumPC
Featured Content
The gang discusses the GTX 690, Trinity, Ivy Bridge, Amazon, big-box stores, MMOs,...
This month's issue
Feature
Build a PC On Any Budget
Feature
Cloud Services Showdown
How-To
Encrypt Your External Drive
Build It
Upgrade an X58 Rig
Most Commented Articles
Latest Max PC Tweets
- maximumpc: Original RickRoll Video Returns to YouTube After 24-Hour Copyright Hiatus http://t.co/MaH9Sxyy22 hours 49 min ago
- maximumpc: Corsair has decided not to go forward with its $78 million IPO, citing weak equity market conditions http://t.co/A5a4DAzj22 hours 59 min ago
- maximumpc: Want to work at Maximum PC? Our Online Managing Editor, Alex, is moving away, so we need a new one. http://t.co/9Z7JCh0E2 days 20 hours ago
