Goodbye Ultimate/Home/Starter/Basic/Premium/Professional/Blah/Yackety/Yack/etc – YESSS!!
It appears Microsoft has has now relented on the number of Windows 8 editions planned for final release. An April 16th announcement confirms that Redmond has decided to follow the XP model and introduce just two versions for home consumers and OEMs – Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro.
It’s a far cry from addressing user complaints with the actual operating system itself but it is definitely a step in the right direction and shows that Microsoft is at least paying attention.
The main differences between Windows 8 and the Pro version will essentially be the addition of business orientated features such as Group Policy, Client Hyper-V and VHD Boot. You can view a full chart explaining the differences HERE.
There will be other editions released of course; Windows RT for tablets (will not be available in the retail market), a special language specific version for emerging countries, and an Enterprise version which is set to include all the Pro features plus a selection of IT admin specific extras.
So the final wash-up should look something like this:
- Windows 8
- Windows 8 Pro
- Windows RT
- Local language version for emerging markets and China
- Windows 8 Enterprise
For the vast majority of users the selection process will be simplified no end with just two editions to choose from. Now, if we can just get Microsoft to reconsider some of the new operating system’s other unfortunate traits – we live in hope.
By the way: What do you think of the name chosen by Microsoft for the tablet version – Windows RT? Not terribly imaginative nor catchy if you ask me.
Well, this still does NOT address the problem of Windows 8 being desktop friendly, does it? Yes, I know. Baby steps when it comes to Microsoft, Mindblower!
Quite correct MB, I made that point myself. But it does at least indicate that MS is listening.
WOW, I thought I had already left my rant. I guess it wasn’t saved when I clicked SUBMIT and was sent to REGISTER. Hmmmm, sorry about that.