Windows 'RT': Caveat Emptor

Question

No, this is NOT (primarily) a virus/spyware issue (although it does contain a tangential reference to malware).   However, given that this is my 'homebase' forum at Dell, I’ve decided to post here regardless.   I believe it may benefit anyone who is considering purchase of a new Windows 8 tablet: Windows RT (formerly known as Windows on ARM) will be a 'lite' version of the Windows 8 operating system for ARM-based devices such as tablets --- including Microsoft’s own tablet, called the 'Surface'.  ARM Holdings (Advanced RISC Machine, or Acorn RISC Machine) makes the CPU for these tablets, and in a major break with Windows history/implementations so far, it is NOT 'Intel-compatible'.   This means that all the classic/traditional/legacy programs that you’re used to, which were written [coded for] and ran under 32-bit or x64-bit Windows using Intel [or AMD] processors, will NOT run on an RT/ARM-based system:   Only software specifically written using the Windows Runtime ('Metro' style apps) can be used on Windows RT, with the exception of Microsoft Office 2013 and a special version of IE 10.  Indeed, developers will not be able to create applications to run on Windows RT using the legacy Win32 APIs.   Windows RT will not include the popular Windows Media Player.    [On the 'plus' side, this means that malware designed to run on current Windows/Intel computers generally won't succeed on ARM's chips :emotion-1: ] Microsoft will sell the RT operating system only to device manufacturers directly, and not as a stand-alone product to consumers. WHY would Microsoft do this, abandoning 'backward compatibility' by using ARM chips?  Because ARM chips offer much better battery management [consume less power], significantly extending the duration the battery’s charge can last/power the tablet.   This is a major 'plus' for tablet users. DeLL has an RT offering, the XPS 10:  http://reviews.cnet.com/tablets/dell-xps-10-windows/4505-3126_7-35485881.html Microsoft plans to release another version of its Surface [the 'Surface Pro'] in early 2013, which will be powered by an Intel processor, and run Windows 8 Pro.   Other PC makers will be releasing their PRO versions very soon; indeed, some PC makers [Toshiba, and probably HP] are bypassing RT/ARM completely, and offering only 8PRO/Intel versions. Sources (from which several quotes were freely 'lifted')  [please follow-up for more detail]: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-33642_7-57454524-292/just-what-is-windows-rt-anyway-faq/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_RT http://www.pcworld.com/article/2012126/microsoft-surface-with-windows-rt-5-things-to-consider-before-buying.html http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57493351-75/toshiba-nixes-windows-8-rt-tablet-hp-doubtful/  ============================= Please stress that the point of this thread is NOT to advise you against purchasing RT/ARM tablets... but rather, to inform you how fundamentally different they are.   Consumers need to understand this, lest they rush ahead to buy one, only to become disenchanted soon after.   If you understand the differences, and like what it has to offer [e.g., touch-screen features, similar to an iPad], then by all means go ahead.   Knowledge is for the consumer's benefit.

ky331 · Answer

Thanks BB. For those wondering, here's a link to the article BB just cited:   http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows8/choose-windows-8-windows-rt-144535

Bugbatter · Answer

Good info, ky331! :emotion-21: Paul Thurrott's 'How to Choose: Windows 8 vs. Windows RT' has some details regarding this as well.

Bugbatter · Answer

ky331, I did not include a link in my post because of the link to a commercial site at the bottom of the Supersite page.

ky331 · Answer

Windows 8 vs. Windows RT:  It matters. Let's explain. http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/24/technology/enterprise/windows-8-windows-rt-difference/index.html

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