Intel’s Renée James has expounded more on Windows 8 and its relations to the chipsets and processors it will run on.
"Windows 8 traditional", she said, will run on x86 chips and handle "legacy" x86-based Windows apps via a "Windows 7 mode" whereas "on ARM, there’ll be the new experience, which is very specifically around the mobile experience, specifically around tablet and some limited clamshell, with no legacy OS."
However while x86 Windows 8 devices will be able to partake of the “new mobile experience” while still having access to legacy apps, ARM devices will not.
"We will also be able to run that [new] experience. So for an Intel user, we’ll kind of have the best of both worlds. So we think we’re extraordinarily well-positioned in Windows 8."
"… our customers, or anyone who has an Intel-based or an x86-based product, will be able to run either Windows 7 mode or Windows 8 mode," she said. "They’ll run all of their old applications, all of their old files – there’ll be no issue."
"Our competitors will not be running legacy applications. Not now. Not ever." she said.
She insisted users buying a Windows 8 device with Intel Inside will not be compromising.
"But what you may not know,is that we have an on-site development team in Redmond that actually works deep inside the OS to make sure that the platforms, and the features, and the new instructions – whatever new thing we’re inventing – is ready to go at the time of introduction of the latest Microsoft environment." likely making a reference to Intel’s latest 3D 22 nanometre chips with extremely low power usage.
"We’ve been working for the last couple of years – very, very focused – on Windows 8," she said. "I’m very excited about it. We’ve been working on it for a long time. There’s a lot of exciting new features and things about it that I think are going to be great for users, great for the PC and tablet industry."
Recalling the glory days of Wintel, she said "We’ve been working with Microsoft on Windows for probably 20 years, this year. We’ve been their partner for a long time – everybody writes about it, everybody talks about it," she said.
She did not see much future for ARM-based tablets.
"For the client," she said, "compatibility and legacy, we think, is a very important value proposition, certainly in the enterprise for IT managers, and also for consumers for probably a significant number of years into the future."
Given what she describes is broadly accurate, and Windows 8 tablets will offer the best of both worlds, I myself would much rather buy an Intel x86 than ARM tablet. Do our readers feel the same way, or are you willing to take the chance and lock yourself completely into the new ARM-based ecosystem? Let us know below.
Via The Register.com