Windows 8 Versions announced, 8, Pro,RT,Ent

Microsoft announces Windows 8 catalog including standard, Pro and Arm-based ‘Windows RT’ editions - The Next Web

Windows 8
Windows 8 Pro
Windows 8 RT (ARM based)
Windows 8 Enterprise

QUOTE:
The differences between the editions are based on the platforms and features that each will contain. Windows 8 is the standard edition, likely to be found packaged with many OEM systems and will be the default recommendation for ‘many consumers’, says Microsoft.
Windows 8 Pro will “ help tech enthusiasts and business/technical professionals obtain a broader set of Windows 8 technologies.” This version includes everything in the standard version plus encryption, virtualization, PC management and domain connectivity. Windows Pro will have to have Media Center added on to it as a ‘media pack’ that Microsoft says will be economically priced. Windows 8 Pro has a bunch of exclusive features listed like BitLocker, Boot from VHD, Client Hyper-V, Group Policies and hosting Remote Desktops.
The third version will be called Windows RT and it will be installed on PCs and tablets that contain ARM-based processors. This will help these systems stay ‘thin and light’ and have better battery life than more power-hungry x86 processors.
Windows RT will include touch-optimized desktop versions of the new Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Microsoft says that new applications based on the WinRT programming model will be revealed soon, calling them a ”new generation of cloud-enabled, touch-enabled, web-connected apps.”
There will also be an enterprise version of Windows 8. Windows 8 Enterprise includes all the features of Windows 8 Pro plus tools for PC management, advanced security, virtualization and deployment.
 

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I'm glad they've rationalised the choices, I also think it's good that language can now be switched easily in all editions. However, I doubt Media Centre fans will be pleased. It's also curious that only the Pro version can host RDP sessions. I guess all we need now is pricing information.
 

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    Windows 10.0.10122
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    60 Mbps (Down) 5 Mbps (Up)
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    IE, FF, Chrome
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    AVG Internet Security 2015
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    Some wired stuff
If they give a free croped Office version for ARM, they have to give one to other too. You buy a ARM tablet you get office but a Wintel no.
 

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    Windows 8 enterprise x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Pc-Quebec / Area 66
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    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
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    Rampage IV Extreme
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    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
    PSU
    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
If they give a free croped Office version for ARM, they have to give one to other too. You buy a ARM tablet you get office but a Wintel no.

I guess there has to be some incentive to buy a WOA device...
 

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System One

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    Windows 7 x64 Ultimate/Windows 8.1/Linux
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    16GB DDR3 Corsair Vengeance
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    HD7860
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    Xonar Essence STX
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    Benq
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    1920x1080
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    Various
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    Corsair HX 850W
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    Corsair Obsidian
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    Thermalright
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    Logitech
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    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    50/50
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    firefox

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    Windows 10 Home x64
    Computer type
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    System Manufacturer/Model
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    CPU
    INTEL Core i5-750
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    ASUS P7P55D
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    KINGSTON HyperX Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 1866Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX750
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    LG 27MP33HQ 32" IPS LED
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Evo 120 GB, 2 x SEAGATE 500GB Barracuda® 7200.12, SATA 3 Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 16MB cache
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    ANTEC TruePower New TP-550, 80 PLUS®, 550W
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    ANTEC Three Hundred Illusion
    Cooling
    COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus, 3 x 120mm 1 x 140mm Case
    Internet Speed
    20 + Mbps
    Browser
    Vivaldi
    Antivirus
    Avast
Better version options.

Wonder what they will charge for Media center?
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro x64/ Windows 7 Ult x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    76~2.0
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3570K 4.6GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X UD3H f18
    Memory
    8GB (2X4GB) DDR3 1600 CORSAIR Vengeance CL8 1.5v
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X 1GB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Onboard VIA VT2021
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LCD Dell SP2208WFP
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samaung 840Pro 128GB, Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb, Seagate 1TB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb,
    PSU
    Corsair HX650W
    Case
    Cooler Master Storm Scout
    Cooling
    Corsair H80 w/Noctua NF P12 12cm fan, case fans 2X14cm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
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    CM Sentinel
    Internet Speed
    Abysmal
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    Opera Next
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    Dell Venue 8Pro: Baytrail Z3740D, 2GB Ram, 64GB HDD, 8" IPS Display 1280 x 800, Active Stylus.
    Haswell laptop: HP Envy 17t-j, i7-4700MQ, GeForce 740M 2GB DDR3, 17.3" Full HD 1920x1080, 16GB RAM, Samsung 840 Pro 128GB, 1TB Hitachi 7200 HDD,
    Desktop: eSATA ports,
    External eSATA Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm,
Very interesting...about bloody time there were three truly DIFFERENT versions of Windows!

Some of the features between the different versions makes sense, except for Media Player in Pro, that is odd. But for the rest, like Group Policy and Client Hyper V makes sense since the typical user doesn't even sometimes know what a Group Policy. It definitely strikes me as that Windows 8 Pro will be the enterprise pick.
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro
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    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
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    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Very interesting...about bloody time there were three truly DIFFERENT versions of Windows!

Some of the features between the different versions makes sense, except for Media Player in Pro, that is odd. But for the rest, like Group Policy and Client Hyper V makes sense since the typical user doesn't even sometimes know what a Group Policy. It definitely strikes me as that Windows 8 Pro will be the enterprise pick.

There will be an Enterprise version as well.
 

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    Windows 7 x64 Ultimate/Windows 8.1/Linux
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    FX-8350
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    GA-990XA-UD3
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    16GB DDR3 Corsair Vengeance
    Graphics Card(s)
    HD7860
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    Xonar Essence STX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
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    Various
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    Corsair HX 850W
    Case
    Corsair Obsidian
    Cooling
    Thermalright
    Keyboard
    Logitech
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    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    50/50
    Browser
    firefox
Quote "There will be an Enterprise version as well."

Yes rather curiously laid out in the blog. Full details in the table for the three editions, and then an italic note at the bottom referring to the Enterprise.
 

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    Windows 8.1
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    Use several different computers during a day, so specs are irrelevant.
For Windows 8, Microsoft cuts product lineup to two editions

If you’re planning to purchase Windows 8, your buying decision will be simple. Microsoft announced today that Windows 8 for x86 and x64 PCs will be available in two retail editions. A third, OEM-only edition will be available exclusively for ARM-based PCs and tablets.

Read more at:
For Windows 8, Microsoft cuts product lineup to two editions | ZDNet
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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Microsoft also revealed that it plans to offer “a local language-only edition of Windows 8” for distribution in “China and a small set of select emerging markets.” This edition would presumably replace the low-cost Starter Edition, and the single-language restriction would make it more difficult to transfer these low-cost editions into higher-priced Western markets.

Microsoft knows it can and will easily be transferred. The reason they are doing this is because they get their Windows for free and MS hopes to make some money instead. Thus, all of the regular folk around the rest of the world can continue to pay high prices while the ones that get it for free anyhow to begin with, get a huge discount for that reason alone in case they choose instead to buy it!
 

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    WD Caviar Black 1 TB Sata II, WD 400 GB Sata I, WD 120 GB Sata I
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    300W generic
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    Logitech Classic Keyboard 200, Dell RT7D20
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    Logitech M510
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    2 MByte/sec Down, 250 KByte/sec Up

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    Cosrair DDR3-1600 (4 x 4gb)
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    None
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    AOC 27" LCD
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    1920x0180
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    Seagate HDD 500gb (windows)
    Seagate HDD 1.5tb (media)
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    Dell
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    PowerUp 3 button mouse
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    12mb down, 1mb up
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    qty. (5) 120mm fans, four are monitored by motherboard.
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If they give a free croped Office version for ARM, they have to give one to other too. You buy a ARM tablet you get office but a Wintel no.

I guess there has to be some incentive to buy a WOA device...


I had to think this one through too. The rumor was that Windows 8 on ARM won't support desktop view. Therefore it needs to be bundled with office for Metro because users won't be able to just use their existing Microsoft office licenses the way that we can in desktop view. My guess is that without a bundled office suite, users would probably just use cloud based options like google docs.

No one would actually spring to buy a dumbed down version of office, right?

I mean, how cheap would it have to be before users started buying the "Microsoft Office App" in the Metro store? I would hesitate to pay more than $27. What would you pay?
 

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    6.41/5.47 MBPS
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    WiFi 802.11 b/g
    Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
    Internal 3G (Huawei EM770W:
    HSPA/UMTS 850/900/1900/2100MHz,
    HSUPA: 5.76Mbps (UL) / HSDPA: 7.2Mbps (DL))
I will try Metro office only of they include it in Technet, I'm sick and tire of all those Office change, when you get use to a version they change everything.
 

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    i7-3960X Extreme Edition
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    Rampage IV Extreme
    Memory
    Gskill 4x4 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    4 x HD 7970
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Screen Resolution
    2560*1600
    Hard Drives
    C:\Intel series 520 SSD , 250 GB
    D:\ WD 750 black with Intel 40gb SSD cache Intel RST
    E:\ WD 2TB Black
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    Corsair AX 1200
    Case
    TT Mozart TX
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Logitech G-15
    Other Info
    Windows 8 VM is install on his own SSD.
Uhh, what IS Media Center? I use Windows Media PLAYER all the time but Media Center??? It's that TV centric thing with the big icons, right? Wouldn't Metro kinda be the same thing? (big icons easy to see and mash across the room). Mind you, this answer is just a google away but I am sure that other folks here might have the same question. Does anyone actually USE the thing?
I am sure that Media Player will be included in all versions of Win8 for free...
 

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    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit GA
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    i7-4770K Haswell
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    ASUS Z87-PRO
    Memory
    16 GB of Corsair 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 780
    Sound Card
    Cooler Master Storm Headphones
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 27 inch U2711 IPS
    Screen Resolution
    2560 by 1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Pro 250GB SSD plus 2 3 TB drives
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    Corsair-750
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    Corsair White Graphite Series 600T
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    Corsair K90
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    Logitech G9 Laser
    Internet Speed
    6.3 MBps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    MS
Hi everyone

Windows to Go -- on any of these or do I have to give it up.

Language packs also ??

Cheers
jimbo
 

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    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
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    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Heh, leave it to John Dvorak to start Win8 bashing (bash early and bash often is his motto).
Microsoft Screws Up Windows 8 | John C. Dvorak | PCMag.com
I don't think John get some of the stuff he is writing about. I wonder if he is using Win8 for anything? And its too early to call the ball on Windows on ARM, we will have to see how it is implemented.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit GA
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    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-4770K Haswell
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-PRO
    Memory
    16 GB of Corsair 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 780
    Sound Card
    Cooler Master Storm Headphones
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 27 inch U2711 IPS
    Screen Resolution
    2560 by 1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Pro 250GB SSD plus 2 3 TB drives
    PSU
    Corsair-750
    Case
    Corsair White Graphite Series 600T
    Cooling
    Corsair H00i Water
    Keyboard
    Corsair K90
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser
    Internet Speed
    6.3 MBps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    MS
Language packs also ??

Cheers
jimbo

Augh!@ Language packs, the dreaded 46 optional updates that pops up not once but twice on every windows install. Fortunately, I know now to Shift- select them all and right click to hide permanently. Perhaps the poor sum'of'a'handsome frog that suddenly had Chinese for Metro would be glad to get rid of the language packs..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit GA
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-4770K Haswell
    Motherboard
    ASUS Z87-PRO
    Memory
    16 GB of Corsair 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 780
    Sound Card
    Cooler Master Storm Headphones
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell 27 inch U2711 IPS
    Screen Resolution
    2560 by 1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 Pro 250GB SSD plus 2 3 TB drives
    PSU
    Corsair-750
    Case
    Corsair White Graphite Series 600T
    Cooling
    Corsair H00i Water
    Keyboard
    Corsair K90
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser
    Internet Speed
    6.3 MBps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    MS
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