Windows 8 promises to be Windows re-imagined, but it’s important to know that the new Microsoft operating system comes in more than one “flavor.” Most notably, Microsoft is releasing Windows 8 on two processors—Intel and ARM—to maintain its enterprise footprint while trying to expand its reach into the consumer tablet and smartphone markets.

It will be interesting to see how organizations and consumers respond to both. “ARM and Intel have been trying to expand in each other’s market, with ARM chips making a push into PCs and servers while Intel increases its focus on smartphones and tablets,” notes a recent article in the Wall Street Journal.

Although Windows 8, Windows Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise—the Intel-based editions—come with varying specs and features, they’re all fundamentally different from Windows RT—the ARM-based edition. (If Windows RT doesn’t sound familiar, though, you’re not alone. This edition was formerly called Windows on ARM—or WOA—until Microsoft renamed it.)

To help you pick the right OS for your enterprise tablets, we’ll compare Windows 8 and Windows RT in three categories important to IT leaders: legacy app support, software restrictions and hardware options.

Continue reading "Windows 8 vs Windows RT: Which is Right for You?"