Windows RT is a tablet operating system that does not allow users to install traditional desktop software written for Windows PCs. Windows 8 and Windows RT
Windows 8 runs on traditional desktops and laptops, as well as “hybrid” touchscreen PCs that can be used as tablets or laptops. Windows 8 is the latest generation of the traditional Windows operating system that is backward compatible, which means that it can run most programs developed for older versions of Windows, such as Windows 7 and Vista.
Windows 8 vs Windows RT comparison chart
| Windows 8 | Windows RT | |
|---|---|---|
| Platform support | X86 architecture: devices with Intel / AMD chips. | It can only be run on devices that use ARM architecture. |
| Introduction | Microsoft’s Windows 8 runs on desktop and laptop computers. It is the latest generation of the traditional Windows operating system that is backward compatible, which means that it can run most of the software that was developed for earlier versions of Windows. | Microsoft’s Windows RT is a tablet operating system that does not allow users to install traditional desktop software written for Windows PCs. |
| Price | Standard version: $ 119.99USD. Pro version: $ 199.99. Student version: $ 69.99. | Windows RT cannot be purchased as a standalone operating system. Those who want to use RT will have to find a device that comes with RT pre-installed. Microsoft’s 32GB version of the Surface 2 runs on Windows RT and is priced at $ 449. |
| Interface | “Subway” tiles. Start button and more desktop support in Windows 8.1. | “Subway” tiles. “Less” desktop support in Windows RT 8.1. |
| Initial release | October 2012. | October 2012. |
| Searching the web | Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and others. | Solo Internet Explorer. |
| Preceded by | Windows 7. | None. |
| Latest stable release | 8.1 in October 2013. | 8.1 in October 2013. |
| Software support | Most of all Windows programs. | Limited to what is available in the Windows Store. There is no support for many popular programs, such as iTunes, VLC, and Adobe Photoshop. |
| Gaming | All the latest video games released for PC will run on a Windows 8 system with modern hardware. | Hardly any support beyond casual mobile games. |
| Storage | It depends on the PC, but the operating system takes up little disk space. Requires at least 16 GB of storage for Windows 8 8-bit and 20 GB for the 64-bit version. | Storage more closely tied to the device. For example, the 32GB half of the Surface 2 is dedicated only to installing Windows RT. Users can add storage using micro SDXC storage slots or external drives. |
| Global OS market share | Less than 11% between Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. | Less than 1%. |
The Windows 8 operating system looks very different from its predecessor, Windows 7, but it still works, or can work, in many of the same ways that users will be more familiar with in earlier versions of Windows. On the other hand, RT, while mostly looking the same on the surface, works very differently in both Windows 8 and earlier versions of Windows. Some have said that Microsoft’s decision to consider RT a Windows 8 edition, rather than a standalone product, has confused consumers, resulting in poor sales and sometimes negative reviews.
RT is optimized for speed, RT stands for “runtime” and aims to maximize battery life. The main downside is that the only software that works in RT is the Windows Store application software that has been built specifically for RT. This is because Microsoft built RT for the 32-bit ARM architecture, so software built for x86 systems will not work on Windows RT. In many ways, RT has more in common with Apple’s iPad or Google’s Chromebook operating system than it does with Windows 8.
The following video provides a brief overview of the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of Windows RT versus Windows 8.
The Windows 8 operating system can be purchased for $ 119.99, with a Pro version available for $ 199.99 and a student version available for $ 69.99.
In contrast, Windows RT cannot be purchased as a standalone operating system. Because it is optimized for ARM processing chips, Windows RT will only work on ARM devices. Those who want to use RT will have to find a device that comes with RT pre-installed. As an example, Microsoft’s 32GB version of the Surface 2 runs on Windows RT and is priced at $ 449.00.
Both Windows 8 and Windows RT use Microsoft’s new tile layout known as Metro. However, the full editions of Windows 8 allow users to switch to a “desktop mode” that Windows RT does not support.
Windows RT was created with long battery life in mind. ARM processors are more energy efficient than Intel or AMD processors, which means that Windows RT devices can last between eight and 13 hours, and even longer depending on the applications that are only used on battery, whereas a Windows 8 device will only last six to eight hours on its battery.
Windows 8 users have the same browser options as in previous versions of Windows. Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox work on the operating system. Mozilla had planned to release a special version of Metro for Firefox, but in March 2014 it declared that development had stopped.
In Windows RT, users can only browse the Internet with Internet Explorer 11. There are no alternative browsers available at this time. Mozilla and Google have argued that this is due to restrictions that Microsoft has placed on developing third-party browsers for the RT environment.
All Windows RT devices come with Office 2013 Home & Student RT, a version of Microsoft Office that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and (since the Windows RT 8.1 update) Outlook. Windows 8 can run the Microsoft Office suite, as well as a host of other email documents and software that RT cannot.
With an internet connection, both operating systems can be used to access web-based document applications such as OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive) or Google Drive.
Windows 8 comes with a music application, Windows Media Player, and Windows Media Center pre-installed. The operating system can also run a multitude of other music and video players, such as iTunes, VLC, Winamp, foobar2000, and others.
One complaint about Windows RT is that it doesn’t include Windows Media Player or Windows Media Center; however, RT devices come with pre-installed Xbox Music and Xbox Video applications. There are no RT apps available for iTunes, VLC, Winamp, or foobar2000. However, users can access many web-based music services, such as Pandora, Spotify, or Amazon MP3.
In terms of image storage and basic photo editing, there is little difference between Windows 8 and its RT edition, but advanced users will notice the absence of RT support for professional tools like Adobe Photoshop.
Windows systems offer the best support for PC games. All the latest video games released for PC will run on a Windows system with modern hardware.
However, as a simpler operating system made for tablets that is even more restricted by its hardware, Windows RT offers little support for games. Some casual mobile games, such as Bejeweled or Sudoku, are available in the app store, but no reputable games are developed for RT devices.
Like previous versions of Windows, Windows 8 can run on most modern computers and laptops. Requires at least 16 GB of storage for Windows 8 8-bit and 20 GB for the 64-bit version. For most computer users, this will only take up a small part of the available disk space on modern hard drives. In the event that more space is needed, it’s easy to install a second hard drive in a desktop computer or use an external drive.
With Windows RT connected to devices, rather than a separate operating system, users’ storage experiences are more tied to the device. For example, half of the 32GB Surface 2 is dedicated to installing Windows RT only. Users can add storage space on the Surface 2 by using one or two of the device’s micro SDXC storage slots or by using an external drive.
In October 2013, Windows 8.1 was released to fix various bugs and improve functionality and ease of use. With the update, the famous Windows Start button was brought back and more desktop interface support was added for non-RT users. Meanwhile, RT users actually saw a decline in desktop support, as Windows completely removed the desktop tile from RT’s Metro interface. RT users received a new version of Microsoft Outlook in their Office 2013 RT suite.
The update has been popular with users, with critics giving it mostly positive reviews. However, many reviewers have felt that the 8.1 features should be available in the original release.
In February 2014, Microsoft announced that it would release another Windows 8 update. Known as Windows 8.1 Update 1, this update will once again change the interface and make it more user-friendly for desktop users. In March 2014, Microsoft reported that it leaked the update by accident.
The adoption of Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 has been slow, and as of February 2014, the operating system and its update represented less than 11% of the global operating system market. However, relative to RT, Windows 8 has done well.
Windows RT holds only a 0.02% share of the global operating systems market. In August 2013, Microsoft reported a loss of $ 900 million following what it called “inventory adjustments” to the Surface RT. Prices on RT devices continued to be slashed in hopes of stimulating sales.
Despite the less-than-stellar performance on the market, some have speculated that at least parts of Windows RT are here to stay, as elements of the operating system may appear in future versions of Windows.
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