Why Windows Just Can’t Win

Windows RT is a version of Windows 8 built to run on ARM processors. "Metro" style apps can be compiled to run on Windows RT and downloaded from the Windows App Store. However traditional desktop software cannot be compiled for or installed on Windows RT.

Re: Why Windows Just Can’t Win

#7

Post by cbaleanu » Fri, Oct 19, 2012, 4:51 PM UTC

So much hate for Microsoft. I'm at awe. Like one commenter on the article's page said, If Apple would do that kind of launch experiment, everybody would praise them for how revolutionay they are.

Microsoft has a real chance of claiming a big chunk of the market, not from Apple, but from the messy Android ecosystem, with a clear brand and a simple product lineup.

Re: Why Windows Just Can’t Win

#8

Post by lawdawg » Fri, Oct 19, 2012, 4:59 PM UTC

cbaleanu wrote: post #7

So much hate for Microsoft. I'm at awe. Like one commenter on the article's page said, If Apple would do that kind of launch experiment, everybody would praise them for how revolutionay they are. Microsoft has a real chance of claiming a big chunk of the market, not from Apple, but from the messy Android ecosystem, with a clear brand and a simple product lineup.

People said the same exactly thing w.r.t Android when Windows Phone 7 was released. I think history speaks for itself.

Re: Why Windows Just Can’t Win

#9

Post by Simucal » Fri, Oct 19, 2012, 5:02 PM UTC

recursive wrote: post #4

Wait, Windows 8 and Windows RT are different things?

"With Surfce looming, Microsoft fails to explain Windows 8 vs. Windows RT to consumers"[0]

Not only that, but you are likely much more tech sophisticated than the average consumer which makes this even more damning.

[0] - http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/17/3514556/windows-8-vs-wind...

Re: Why Windows Just Can’t Win

#10

Post by masklinn » Fri, Oct 19, 2012, 5:03 PM UTC

recursive wrote: post #4

Wait, Windows 8 and Windows RT are different things?

Kinda. It's confusing. Windows RT is supposedly "Windows 8 on ARM", a restricted version of Windows 8 where Win32 is not available to non-in-house developers (applications must be developed using WinRT a replacement API not to be confused with Windows RT as WinRT is also available to Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8); all applications must be distributed via the Windows Store; the fate of the Windows 8 desktop is unclear (though it won't be very useful if there); a bunch of software or capabilities are unavailable in RT (Windows Media Player, Media Center, Remote Desktop, Homegroup, ...).

The simplest way to think about it is probably to think that WindowsRT is to Windows 8 as iOS 9 (iPad) should be to OSX 11 should the current trends of the latter pair keep going

See http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/17/3514556/windows-8-vs-wind... for more info (and a hint as to how confusing it is)