Windows RT is the official name of ARM-based Windows 8

posted by Charlene S.

Apr 17, 2012, 9:25 AM

Windows RT is the official name of ARM-based Windows 8

Microsoft spent some time at MWC this year to talk about the Windows 8 experience on ARM-based tablets, but one of the details the world was missing was the name. Would it have a specific name or are we to continue to refer to it as some mash-up of “Windows 8” and “ARM-based” phrases?

Communications manager, Brandon LeBlanc, took to Microsoft’s official blog to set the record straight regarding the release versions of Windows 8. First and foremost, Windows 8 will be the official name for x86/64 editions of Windows. Windows 8 will have 2 editions: Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro.

Not to dissimilar from the XP editions, Windows 8 will be suitable for most users, whereas Windows 8 Pro will be geared toward tech enthusiast, businesses, and technical professionals Windows 8 Pro will include additional features such as encryption, virtualization, PC management, domain connectivity, and the ability to add-on Windows Media Center.

On the mobile side, Windows RT will be the official name for Windows on Arm (also previously referred to as WOA). Windows RT will only be available pre-installed and will include touch-optimized desktop versions of the new Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. Windows RT will utilize the WinRT runtime to support cloud-enabled, touch-enabled, web-connected apps.

You can check out the source link below to view a chart that breaks down key features by edition.

source: Microsoft

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10 Comments

10. jtech

Posts: 101; Member since: Jul 14, 2011

Awesome! Windows 8 a PC?

posted on Apr 18, 2012, 6:30 PM 0

9. jlscott777

Posts: 45; Member since: Feb 10, 2012

Only available pre-installed, guess that dashes my hope of converting my Toshiba Thrive to Windows.

posted on Apr 17, 2012, 6:50 PM 0

7. aphrophyre

Posts: 24; Member since: Feb 02, 2012

Does this encompass the next base platform for Windows Phone then?

posted on Apr 17, 2012, 12:16 PM 0

6. DIYguy

Posts: 190; Member since: Feb 27, 2011

I wonder how many "official" names windows 8 will get before launch :D

posted on Apr 17, 2012, 10:17 AM 0

5. ilia1986 unregistered

Please don't suck... please don't be the new Vista..

posted on Apr 17, 2012, 9:55 AM 6

4. andro.

Posts: 1999; Member since: Sep 16, 2011

They really need to impress with windows 8 to get any sort of convincing sales going,even today the major network carriers across Europehversion had enough and have come out in complaining of how poor the lumia sales actually are