Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) recently announced that the upcoming Windows 8 operating system will be released in three versions, a move that a number of users would welcome. The three versions of the Windows 8 OS are for home use, for business use, and for devices using ARM processors. Most consumers would only have to choose from the home use and the business use versions of the operating system.
The home use version is basically for use on devices at home and the business version is meant for businesses and it comes with other features that are not normally used at home. The home use version will be simple dubbed as “Windows 8” while the business use version will be dubbed “Windows 8 Pro”.
The third version of the Windows 8 OS will be dubbed as “Windows RT” and will not be available for purchase as it is since it will be pre-installed in devices that use the ARM processor. This version of the latest OS from Microsoft will run touch-based apps using the programming model of Microsoft for mobile apps, Windows Runtime. It will not run the typical X86/64 software.
Touch-based versions of MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and OneNote will be available for Windows RT.
The price tag of the latest operating system from Microsoft was not announced by Brandon LeBlanc of Microsoft although he confirmed that the latest OS of Microsoft will indeed be dubbed as Windows 8. The release date also remains uncertain although the final version of the Windows 8 OS will not be available for most consumers.
According to LeBlanc, a Windows 8 Enterprise will be available that will include all the features found on the Pro version along with a number of features designed for IT organizations.
Even though there are only three versions of the Windows 8 OS, home users will still have the option to choose the Home Basic, the Home Premium, and the Ultimate edition of the latest operating system from Microsoft.
