Windows 8: Thirteen Versions, Which To Choose?

Microsoft wants to simplify things with Windows 8. And yet, if you look closely you'll see that you can only upgrade previous versions to Windows 8 Pro, that below that there's Windows RT and plain old "Windows 8", and that above that there's Windows 8 Enterprise, which is apparently intended for... well, professionals (as opposed to Windows 8 Pro?). But that's not all. Microsoft has also sub-branded Windows 8 Pro into four editions: Windows 8 Pro, Windows 8 Pro N, Windows 8 Pro Pack and Windows 8 Pro Pack N. In total, if you include the 32- and 64-bit versions, that makes 13 variants of Windows 8... grouped into 4 categories:

Windows RT

Windows 8

Windows 8 Pro

Windows 8 Enterprise

There are two ways to get Windows 8:

• updating a PC you already own to Windows 8: this can only be done towards Windows 8 Pro, at a special offer rate that is valid through 31 January 2013
• purchasing a new PC or tablet: you'll want to make sure you choose the right edition before buying, so as to avoid that 'Drats, why didn't I look into it before I bought it' moment

Upgrading a PC You Already Own

Up through 31 January 2013, you can upgrade any computer running Windows XP, Vista or 7 to Windows 8 Pro for £24.99 via download or £49.99 via shipping. If you bought your Windows 7 computer after 2 June 2012, you are eligible for the £14.99 special offer.

When you make your purchase, a setup assistant launches to make sure your computer is both compatible and eligible. One thing to remember is that your programmes and files will only carry over if you have Windows 7 Home Basic or Home Premium. On computers running Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate, Windows XP or Windows Vista, only your files will be kept, which means you'll have to reinstall all your programmes one by one. Either way, we highly recommend backing up your data on an external hard drive before doing any upgrades.

Windows RT

• for low-power tablets
• includes Word, Excel and PowerPoint

This is a scaled-down version of Windows for tablets with processing power comparable to a smartphone. Regular programmes (Photoshop, video games, etc.) won't run on it! The only software that will run is apps downloaded from the Windows Store. The exceptions to this rule are Word, Excel and PowerPoint, which come pre-installed with no extra charges. That makes Windows RT-equipped tablets a practical solution for professional use, especially tablets with an attachable keyboard (hint: like the Surface RT...).

RT is short for Runtime, formerly referred to as WOA (Windows On ARM) in reference to the ARM architecture processors found in these devices. Windows RT will not be sold separately. It only comes pre-installed, so you can't, for example, switch a tablet from a competing operating system (Android or iOS) to Windows RT.

Windows 8: for the general public, available in 32 and 64 bits

• home/family edition
• touchscreen interface and antivirus included

This is the standard version, the one you'll likely see on most commercially available computers and tablets (those based on x86 processors, not ARM processors).

Windows 8 includes features like the new tile interface (very much designed with touchscreens in mind), Microsoft's antivirus software, Windows Media Player, ISO mounting, remote desktop (client only) and safe startup.

The Media Center is not included in Windows 8 and can only be purchased separately and installed in Windows 8 Pro. Interesting choice...

32 or 64 bit? The 32-bit version only handles up to 3 GB of RAM. Given that 4 to 8 GB have pretty much become standard now, the 64-bit Windows 8 is probably the one you'll want.

Windows 8 Pro: for technophiles and work, available in 32 and 64 bits

• Windows for professional environments
• Remote Desktop, Media Center optional

Windows 8 Pro includes security features that, in theory, have no use in a home but that professionals and advanced users might need: virtualisation, partition encryption, network features, PC management, remote desktop... All sorts of additional features.

There are four versions of Windows 8 Pro:

• Windows 8 Pro: Media Center not included, available for an additional charge
• Windows 8 Pro N: the N means "not with Windows Media Player"
• Windows 8 Pro Pack (£50 through January 2013): for upgrading Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro with Windows Media Player and Media Center
• Windows 8 Pro Pack N (£50 through January 2013): for upgrading Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro without Windows Media Player

If you're upgrading your computer to Windows 8 Pro, you'll have to make sure and upgrade to the same bit-version (32 or 64) as your previous OS. If you change bit-versions you'll lose all your software (but not your personal files).

If you're buying a whole new computer you'll be better off going for the 64-bit version, as it can handle more RAM than the 32-bit version.

Windows 8 Enterprise: for experts on the go, available in 32 and 64 bits

• includes Windows To Go: carry around your OS, software,  settings and files on a USB key

The main (and totally awesome) advantage of this version is Windows To Go. Windows To Go allows you to install your entire operating system on an external device, such as a 32 GB or more USB 3.0 key or an external SSD. That way you can plug it into any Windows 8 PC at a cyber café, a friend's house, a client's office or a hotel and access all your files, settings, preferences, documents and programmes. This feature could attract a lot of people, which is why it's a little strange that it's only on the Enterprise edition...

32 or 64 bit? The 32-bit version only handles up to 3 GB of RAM. Given that nowadays 4 to 8 GB have pretty much become standard, the 64-bit Windows 8 is probably the one you'll want.

Conclusion

How to control yourself and make a reasonable choice when you know you can have it all from the get-go, when you know that 8 months down the line you may end up wishing you'd gotten that one other feature? The biggest technophiles will obviously want the Windows 8 Enterprise 64-bit version, if only to try out the OS-on-a-key feature, which by the looks of things is the way of the future.

Every year it becomes more and more evident that it isn't really the machine you're using that matters. It's your stuff, your "world"—your desktop, your files, your programmes and settings. Anywhere, anytime. Eventually, we'll end up dematerialising the key itself (although it's still a bit early for that...). For now, you can get a taste of what it'll be like with Microsoft's account system that lets you access your Windows Store apps and files in cloud storage on any Windows 8 PC simply by logging in.

But for the more reasonable and money-conscious of us, Windows 8 Pro is really the best choice for most people (more so than the basic Windows 8), whether you use it for work or for pleasure.

And then there's Windows RT. Does this "downscaled" version have any chances of survival? The jury will be out on that until we've reviewed it, but for now we can get an idea of it by asking the question: wouldn't it be practical to have a portable tablet operating system (like iOS or Android) that also has the real-deal Word and Excel on it, a detachable keyboard and over 8 hours of battery life? From jotting down notes at work to social networking and watching movies at home, this tablet + keyboard + word processor + spreadsheet application sounds brilliant!

Let's break it down into activities:

• watching movies: Windows RT will do
• social networking: Windows RT
• productivity (Word, PowerPoint, etc.): Windows RT
• web browsing: Windows RT
• gaming: Windows 8 Pro
• working: Windows 8 Pro
• photo editing: Windows 8 Pro
• for technophiles: Windows 8 Enterprise