Do we need another Windows OS?
Microsoft made a case this week for Windows RT. Is it necessary?
Microsoft made a case this week for Windows RT, its stripped down
version of Windows 8. But do we need a third version of Windows?
It's been about five months now since Windows RT debuted. And this
week Microsoft made a case to CNET for the new operating system.
Michael Angiulo, corporate vice president, Windows Planning, Hardware
& PC Ecosystem, told CNET: "It was a ton of work for us and we
didn't do the work and endure the disruption for any reason other than
the fact that there's a strategy there that just gets stronger over
time."
Some of those reasons included:
- Allowing the development of a product that's competitive with the
iPad.
- Providing a way for a PC-class Windows OS to tap into the dynamic ARM chip ecosystem that powers the world's
tablets and smartphones.
- Having a Windows PC that uses only "modern apps," i.e., apps
downloaded from the Microsoft Store, and is not encumbered by legacy
software.
- A "propensity" for a much higher percentage of devices that ship with mobile broadband, i.e., 3G/4G.
As a counterpoint, Tom Mainelli, research director of tablets at market researcher IDC, told
CNET earlier this month that "Microsoft decided to have a smartphone OS, then have Windows RT and
Windows 8.
I think the distinctions get lost on folks. I think they might be
better served by putting more muscle behind Windows 8. Try to make that
successful rather than trying to do three OSes."
And observers
have pointed to the lack of RT apps and the fact that Intel's Atom chip
offers pretty much the same benefits of ARM chips -- including long
battery life and the ability to build ultrathin "fanless" tablets -- but
with full Windows 8 compatibility.
What do you think?
Dell's XPS 10, which starts at $449, is a
detachable design that runs Windows RT, comes with a Qualcomm processor,
and can be configured with mobile broadband.
(Credit:
Dell)
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