Microsoft has officially announced that its next Windows release, due in the second half of this year, will come in three main editions, two for x86 systems – Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro, and one for ARM-based devices – Windows 8 RT.
The ‘standard’ x86 Windows 8 SKU will target consumer-grade PCs and tablets and will allow upgrading from Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic and Home Premium. Windows 8 Pro, which is aimed towards tech enthusiasts and business/technical professionals, includes everything in the non-Pro SKU and adds goodies like BitLocker and BitLocker To Go, Boot from VHD, Hyper-V, Encrypting File System, Group Policy and Remote Desktop (host). This edition also supports upgrades from Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate.
As for Windows 8 RT, it will “only be available pre-installed on PCs and tablets powered by ARM processors” and will boast device encryption capabilities, and touch-optimized desktop versions of the new Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, but it’s going to lack the Windows Media Player, Storage Spaces, or any ‘Pro’ features.
Source: Windows Team Blog.
