Microsoft has been busy with the development of Windows 8. What about Windows 8 should interest the tablet community? The OS consumes minimum hardware resources out of all Windows’ versions including Windows 7, needing just 281MB of RAM and 29 processes to run. That means a tablet with 1GB RAM would have no trouble hosting Microsoft Windows 8. In fact, Slashgear had some hands-on time with a Windows 8 tablet and it went off quite nicely.
Windows 8 will bring about the production of low-end tablets and netbooks that will perform better than similar configurations running on Windows 7. With tablet pricing coming under competitive pressure, Windows 8 could make Microsoft a prominent name in the tablet arena too.
Windows 8 is expected to release in the spring of 2012. That was confirmed by Microsoft CEO Ballmer at the Japanese Developer Forum. However, users can download the developer’s preview of the OS from Microsoft from 8pm PDT, September 13. The download is available in 32bit(x86) and 64 bit(x64) versions without developer tools and also a 64bit version with developer tools. The previews builds are available in ISO form and can be downloaded from here. The builds are accompanied by sample apps meant for illustration. These may not be part of the final shipping version of Windows 8 though. For support and help with the files, head here.
Ballmer talked about tablets being a core part of Windows 8 development next year and spoke of Windows 8 slates, tablets, PCs, and various form factors for the same. Microsoft is working on a more tablet-optimized interface for Windows 8 (maybe around immersive UI).
Slashgear‘s Vincent Nguyen got some hands-on time with a Windows 8 tablet and gave it a decent score. Though not the final build, the Windows 8 tablet displayed good response time, a metro UI similar to the one of Windows smartphones, handwriting recognition skills, innovative lock-screen system, onscreen keyboard that can be divided into two for easier typing in landscape, easy accessibility, quick access panel, personalization features, and multitasking. It also included a stylus, dock, and wireless keyboard.
The video makes us think we’ll soon see a Microsoft tablet that’s worth its salt.
[via electronista]
