Windows on ARM's Role Defined

The Windows 8 on ARM (WOA) software platform will include Office 15 versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote and will only be available preinstalled on devices such as tablets. WOA devices could compete with Apple’s iPad for mobile computing. However, WOA devices cannot run other Windows desktop applications, such as existing line-of-business applications, so organizations will have to build or buy new versions of these applications that run on WOA devices, or shift to Remote Desktop or virtual desktop infrastructure solutions.

An OS for Consumer Electronic Devices

WOA details were announced by Steven Sinofsky, president, Windows and Windows Live Division, in a blog post just before the planned Feb. 29 release of a Windows 8 Consumer Preview (or first public beta). Windows 8 is the next version of the Windows OS, which Microsoft previously announced will run on x86, x64, and ARM processor architectures.

WOA devices will be integrated consumer electronic devices with no user-serviceable or updatable hardware components. This differs substantially from the traditional Windows PC model, which allows a user to change and modify the hardware, such as adding memory or a graphics card, or install an alternative or second (dual boot) OS. WOA devices will include all the needed hardware, including an ARM chipset, Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware, and a version of Windows 8. WOA devices will primarily be tablets designed to compete with the Apple iPad, but might also include some ultra-portable laptops similar to the Apple MacBook Air.