Windows 8 Affects Windows Roadmap

The release of Windows 8, with support for the Intel x86, x64, and system on a chip (SoC) and ARM (SoC) processor architectures could have significant impact on the Windows roadmap. Shown here are the various Windows OSs and device platforms, the relationship between the versions, and Directions on Microsoft estimates of future release dates, including the following:

Windows 8. With the availability of support for different processor architectures, customers will likely be able to choose a version of Windows for the processor architecture they prefer, and then a version within that processor-architecture family which offers different features (Home, Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate).

Windows Server. Although not announced by Microsoft, if Windows runs on ARM processors, and the Windows client and server continue to share a substantially similar code base, an ARM-based server version could be released for customers who run large numbers of rack-mounted servers, where electrical consumption and heat output need to be carefully managed.