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Ever since Microsoft decided Windows 8 will support ARM-based CPUs, many wondered if that meant the traditional desktop experience would be supported as well. And if so, what about all the legacy apps developed for x86 CPUs? Windows 8 boss Steven Sinofsky has spoken. Yes, desktop mode is coming, but the old apps aren’t.
In the midst of an epic meditation on the topic, Sinofsky explains that ARM-based devices will rely heavily on Metro-style apps (which is to say, those developed for WinRT), but will have optimised desktop versions of Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer at launch. As for the old apps, here’s why you won’t be able to run them:
“Previously we have detailed that WOA will not support any type of virtualisation or emulation approach, and will not enable existing x86/64 applications to be ported or run. Supporting various forms of emulation runs counter to the goal of delivering a product that takes a modern approach to system reliability and predictability-by definition, existing code has not been optimised for the platform the way WOA has. Virtualised or emulated software will consume system resources, including battery life and CPU, at unacceptable levels. Emulation and virtualisation of existing x86/64 software also require the traditional PC environment of mouse and keyboard, which is not a good assumption for WOA PCs.”
Sounds like Windows 8 Tablets could be pretty badass, no? [Microsoft]
Desktop mode only includes a handful of Microsoft apps.
In otherwords, taking away all the Microsoft spin, nothing on your PC will work on a Windows 8 tablet.
Haven’t technically minded insiders known this for a long time already?
So, Like I said in a million comments over at Giz US, what’s the frakkin’ point of a unified OS if it ISN’T Unified?! Desktops Windows is fine! Windows Phone is fine for the 10 people who use it! Why fuck both of these up?!
But it is unified… all new Windows 8 apps will be designed with Metro in mind. Going a further than what Apple or Google are doing with their devices at the moment.
Yes legacy apps won’t necissarily work on ARM (with Office 15 being an exception), but just get an x86 based device for that anyways.
So, if I’m just going to by an X86(Computer) device anyway, why the frak do I want all the touchscreen UI? Why do I want to get rid of the start button? Why do I want to scroll continually to my right to access content? Why not just have a normal desktop, that does a normal thing on a NORMAL PC, and then have this metro UI on a tablet where it makes sense with its own ecosystem?!
The only reason why I wanted Windows 8 on a tablet is to be able to run my Windows programs. What is the point otherwise? This just means it’s Going to start off like Windows Phone 7 where there is barely anything for it and have to wait years for it to catch up.
Might as well just buy an iPad because we know Microsoft are going to try and control everything like Apple. This is why I’m going to just with Windows 7 for my desktop to play games, Android for my Mobile and ignore Tablets until someone makes good Android hardware, which will probably be Samsung.