Windows 8 Coming in at Least 4 Versions

Microsoft will make at least four different versions of Windows 8 for
devices with ARM processors, but you won't be running older Windows apps on
any them, according to an Intel executive. Renee James, Intel's senior vice
president and general manager of Software and Services Group, also
reaffirmed that Windows running on ARM devices will be focused on tablets
and other mobile devices, according to Bloomberg.

Version Fatigue
If you thought Microsoft produced too many versions of Windows 7 or Vista,
it sounds like you haven't seen anything yet. It's too early to know for
sure how Microsoft will package Windows 8, but it's unlikely the company
will give up on offering six different of its trademark OS as it has with
both Windows 7 and Vista. Add to that version mix four variations for ARM
tablets and possibly netbooks, and you've got a recipe for confusion for the
non-techie consumer.

Legacy Apps
Since ARM's architecture is different from Windows' x86 roots with Intel,
it's not surprising that legacy apps wouldn't be available on the new
devices. But legacy issues are usually a bigger problem for businesses than
home users. So unless you're hoping to run Microsoft Word 2007 on an
ARM-based netbook, you may not have to worry too much. Enterprises, on the
other hand, may be less likely to use an ARM-based version of Windows if
they have custom-designed legacy software; however, it's also possible third
parties would come up with a legacy emulator for ARM devices if Microsoft
doesn't.

ARM vs. x86
James said Intel isn't worried about competing against another chip design
in the Windows universe -- basically Intel's exclusive turf for the past 20
years. Intel's x86 architecture will support both new and old Windows
programs on Windows 8, and run on everything from Windows-based mobile
devices to televisions and PCs, according to the Register.

Intel also knows it can't depend on Microsoft and the PC to guarantee the
chipmaker's future. Intel chief executive Otellini recently said his company
had overhauled its roadmap to meet the growing demand for mobile devices
such as tablets and smartphones. Despite the popularity of its Atom chips
for netbooks, Intel's current processors are considered too power hungry to
guarantee the long battery life that newer mobile devices require. ARM
processor designs, on the other hand, are being used on a variety of mobile
devices such as Apple's iPad and iPhone as well as numerous Android devices.

It's not clear what Microsoft has in store for Windows 8, but current rumors
suggest Windows 8 for mobile devices will include an interface based on
elements of Windows Phone 7's Metro UI.

Microsoft in April demoed an early version of Internet Explorer 10 running
on an ARM device.