Differences between ARM and x86 Windows 8
Microsoft has clearly stated that the experience of arm and x86 Windows 8 is different.
Windows 8 arm devices will use Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, and NVIDIA processors. Mainstream Windows operating systems will support ARM architecture chips for the first time.
Steven Sinofsky, president of Microsoft Windows, said Microsoft will release both the arm and x86 Windows 8 versions, and the ARM architecture device will run the desktop edition office 15. However, the two versions of Windows 8 still have the following major differences:
- Windows 8 for ARM (woa) does not support Windows 7: Windows 8 can run on Windows 7 PC for the old version, because the X86 platform has basically been standardized, while arm does not. "Arm is licensed for ARM product design, but it has not been standardized," sinovski said ." If you want to run the existing x86 software, you need an x86 device.
- Woa does not support virtualization or simulation: Windows 8 of arm does not support any types of virtualization or simulation, and cannot be transplanted or run existing x86/64 applications. Because supporting different forms of simulation violates Microsoft's goal of releasing a product with high system reliability and foresight, virtualization or simulation software will consume system resources, including battery life and CPU.
- Arm's uniqueness: The devices created by the device manufacturer and the arm partner strictly match the specific software. The arm devices purchased by the consumer can obtain services and upgrade through a single channel. This is different from standard x86 devices. From this point of view, windows for ARM and windows for x86 are completely different.
- Add tags to avoid confusion: when a consumer buys an arm version Windows PC, it will be clearly marked to avoid confusion with x86 version Windows 8. All drivers and support software are pre-installed in the PC with the arm version of Windows. Woa will not be distributed as an independent software. Therefore, users do not need to worry about whether woa supports a specific PC.
- Woa devices will not be shut down: sinovski said that users do not need to turn off the woa PC. Woa PC is not in the traditional sleep mode, but is always running in the standby mode, similar to the current mobile device usage mode.
- Office 15: woa includes office 15 applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for the new desktop edition. These applications support touch functions to minimize energy consumption and resource consumption, but it also provides complete file compatibility. Woa supports Windows desktop experience, including file explorerhe and ie10.
