The eighth version of Windows - Windows 8 - is probably Microsoft's biggest bet on the future of the operating system. The dual-OS approach, with the traditional desktop environment and the new Metro UI, has divided the community - both consumers and business - so what do the numbers show when comparing the operating systems?
0: the amount of money users upgrading to Windows 8 - whether digitally or through a retail copy - will have to pay for Windows Media Center, which can be downloaded for free as long as users upgrade to Windows 8 trough the Upgrade Offer. The upgrade itself costs $39.99 and $69.99 for the digital and retail version respectively. The offer ends January 31, 2013.
1: the number of upgrade editions available for Windows users as of writing - Windows Pro. Microsoft announced the Upgrade Offer earlier this week, and follows Apple's example of offering a single version of it's next revision of the operating system (OS X Mountain release July 2012).
For Windows 7, users coming from Vista Home Premium or Ultimate depending on the edition owned. Windows XP users had to do a custom installation.
2: the number of Surface tablets announced by Microsoft for Windows 8. There will be Windows Pro for Surface, and Windows RT for Surface.
3: the number of versions of Windows 7 that can upgrade to Windows 8 (Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7). Widnows 7 supported Windows Vista and Windows XP.
4: taking into account the 32GB and 64GB internal storage options for Surface, there will be four versions available when the tablets/PCs release around the availability of Windows 8.
5: the number of upgrades a single user can make through the Windows Upgrade Offer.
6: stands for Internet Explorer 6, the version of Microsoft's long-running browser than won't be supported in Windows 8. It's possible to get IE 6 working on Windows 7 and Windows Vista.
7: marks the version of Windows enterprise is likely to use, as Metro isn't proven as an operating system suited for business. That could change in the future, though.
8: the eighth generation of Windows.
9: 9 versions of Windows 8 were rumored, which included: Windows 8 Enterprise/Enterprise Eval Edition, Home Basic, Home Premium, a pre-release ARM edition, a standard pre-release edition, Windows 8 Professional, Professional Plus Edition, Windows 8 Starter Edition and the Ultimate Edition.
For Windows 7, there is: Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate.
10: the new version of Internet Explorer in Windows 8 that brings a new UI, goes full screen and removes functions to the Charms bar. It's a good example of how a Metro app can create a completely different experience compared to the desktop side of the operating system.
Internet Explorer 8 came with Windows 7.
most read
related stories
more stories from OS / Software
Microsoft has reportedly started talks with HTC to add its Windows OS to the phone maker's Android smartphones and HTC is apparently considering to make a Windows Phone/Android dual-booting smartphone.
ernest hamiltonA bug in Chrome for iOS 7 has caused Google's mobile browser to leak private searches made in 'Incognito' mode.
ernest hamiltonHTC has announced that Sprint has already started to roll out the Android 4.3 update to the HTC One, AT&T and T-Mobile will follow in mid-October, while Verizon will release it by the end of the month.
ernest hamiltonThe new Windows 8.1 has gone up for pre-order on the Microsoft Store, ahead of the official launch on Oct. 18.
ernest hamiltonApple has acknowledged the iOS 7 iMessage issue and promised to provide a fix in an upcoming software update.
ernest hamiltonSamsung Canada and French carrier SFR have confirmed the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean rollout schedule for the Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2.
ernest hamiltonThe unlocked, international HTC One is getting Android 4.3 Jelly Bean now, but the U.S. and Canadian versions will 'slightly miss' the end-September timeframe.
ernest hamiltonThe Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2 are reportedly slated to get Android 4.3 Jelly Bean in the fourth quarter, by year-end.
ernest hamilton