Windows 8: choose from known versions
Table of contents:
- Windows 7: When Options Are Too Many
- The three flavors of Windows 8
- Table of characteristics by version
- Korea and Europe “special” versions
- Conclusions
- Special Windows 8 In Depth
We are just around the corner from the official presentation of the brand new version of the Microsoft Operating System, Windows 8, which represents, without the slightest doubt, a great bet by the Redmond giant in the search for new markets.
In the previous Windows distribution, Seven, the version policy caused a lot of confusion, when the product was released with a number number of license types, each with different features and capabilities.
Windows 7: When Options Are Too Many
So we had 6 possibilities to choose from, to adjust the investment in licenses to the needs of each case.Starter: It was the version of Windows 7 with fewer features, licensed only to integrators and OEM manufacturers.Home Basic: Version with more connectivity and customization functions.Home Premium: In addition to the above, full Windows Media Center and Aero were included. This version is the first that can be purchased by the public.Professional: The standard version, which contained everything needed by most users.Enterprise: Added security and data protection features, support for virtual hard drives (in VHD format) and multilanguage option pack. It was only sold by volume under a business contract.Ultimate: This edition was the same as the Enterprise version but without the Volume Licensing restrictions.
Although on paper it seemed like some clear options and that would facilitate the selection of the appropriate version, in reality they caused confusion in the users because they did not have enough knowledge to know if the characteristics of the chosen license were enough for your day-to-day work, and cases of frustration with the Home versions, as they appear too limited.
The three flavors of Windows 8
With Windows 8, this confusion has been corrected and the number of license types with which we can acquire the new OS. Now we only have three:Windows 8 It is the update of the versions of Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic and Home Premium, but with more capabilities. As will be seen in the comparative table below, it practically covers all the needs of most users. Windows 8 pro It is the update of the versions of Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise. That is, a Windows 8 version that can use Hyper-V virtual machines, join a Domain, use VPN connections, remote access and a series of productivity features aimed at professional use of the equipment.Windows 8 RT It is the new version of the Windows family, which will only be available pre-installed on computers (laptops) and tablets built on ARM architecture, and whose main characteristic is to produce light devices with a long battery life. In this version, the Desktop and all the current applications that use it disappear, focusing on Modern UI and its tactile paradigm of use. It will include a version of Office RT designed to be used in this environment.
Table of characteristics by version
The following table provides a comparison of the features of the three versions of Windows 8, but should not be considered an exhaustive description. Only the most important is reviewed.
Korea and Europe “special” versions
Microsoft certainly made powerful enemies with a monopolistic policy that it implemented in the late 1990s and that caused its operations to they will come under the magnifying glass of the governmental establishments.
For this reason, the versions that I have explained above are subdivided into three different types according to the legal requirements of the Korean government and the European Community.
- Windows 8 K – is a version adjusted to Korean laws, which require a couple of shortcuts to exist on the desktop pointing to certain websites.
- Windows 8 N – version for the European market, which does not include Windows Media Player.
- Windows 8 KN – is a version that joins the two previous subcategories. That is, it includes shortcuts to the Web and does not include Windows Media Player.
Certainly they are practically nominal changes since, although in theory we should not be able to acquire a version from a different geographical location than ours, activating Windows Media Player is very simple.
Conclusions
It must be recognized that Microsoft has applied the KISS principle and the decision tree it has been limited to the right size If we are going to buy A “normal” PC or laptop, with Windows 8 that comes from the factory, will work for us in the vast majority of cases. Those of us who use the equipment to work will go to the Pro version. And everything that smacks of Tablet will not require any decision.
