There is much excitement for the next version of the Microsoft Windows OS, which is codenamed Windows 8. One of the main differences between Windows 8 and previous versions is that it is touch screen optimized, although it is still possible to interact with the system through traditional mouse, keyboard, and pens. The said OS can run on either ARM or x86 processors, although applications written specifically for the latter wont be able to run on ARM-based tablets.
One feature that sets Windows 8 apart from its predecessors, is that an image of it be copied and launched from a USB-connected drive, or a thumb drive. It comes with two new recovery functions as well, refresh and restore, which are easier and more convenient options than the typical re-installation.
Among the many new features that Windows 8 tablet, notebooks, and desktop PCs will have, its the new user interface called Metro that is generating a lot of buzz. With this change, the old Start menu will be replaced by a Start screen, with big tiles containing shortcuts to applications. Apps on the new Metro user interface display bits of info on the tile itself, even if you havent clicked it yet. For instance, one tile can display current temperature and weather conditions. Another noteworthy feature of Windows 8 tablets is that you can run or view two applications at the same time. No existing operating system for tablets have such capability.
the Metro UI is inspired by the classic International typographic style developed in Switzerland in the fifties, which emphasizes the use of clean, readable, eye-catching text. Microsofts design team says that the UI is partly inspired also by signs commonly found at public transport systems, such as those in King Country Metro transit, proximate to Microsoft headquarters. The said user interface is very sophisticated, and as one review puts it succinctly, it is functional as it is attractive.
If you want fast, intuitive, responsive, and aesthetically appealing OS, consider getting a Windows 8 system when it becomes available in a few months. Although Microsoft only gave 2012 as to when the OS will be released, many speculate public beta will be made available by February, and full software release by middle of this year. The good thing is, the developer version of Windows 8 works well on hardware suitable for Windows Vista or 7. So when the new OS is released, you can just opt to upgrade your older system.