Tablets forum: Is Windows 8 worth it with Atom?

It depends if it can

by flame7926 - 11/18/12 8:04 PM

In Reply to: It comes down to what you want. by R. Proffitt

But what kind of software can those chips run? I would like to run some stuff, but if they can't run barely anything then it wouldn't be worth it.

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OnIy Intel-based tablet supports Win7 compatible software

by meilinhsieh - 11/18/12 9:31 PM

In Reply to: It depends if it can by flame7926

Yes, strongly recommend getting an Intel-based Windows 8 Pro tablet. Only Intel-based Windows 8 tablet gives you access to the best of both world - new Windows 8 UI (RT) and tranditional desktop. On the desktop side, you can install and run any Windows 7 compatible software. What you have on your current Winodws 7 PC/laptop should just run on Intel-based Winodws 8 tablet. This is something that Windows RT can't offer.

meilinhsieh
#IntelTablets

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What is this "stuff"?

by R. Proffitt - 11/18/12 10:35 PM

In Reply to: It depends if it can by flame7926

I'll be as clear as I can be. Win RT tablets as it stands only run what you can get from the Microsoft Store. You can not currently install any app that is from anywhere else.

Does that tell you what folk are calling RT a Restricted Tablet?
Bob

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RT-based vs. "real Windows"

by krellmeister - 11/23/12 4:02 AM

In Reply to: What is this "stuff"? by R. Proffitt

R. Proffitt's reply is responsive to the other parts of the main query in it's correct caution that choosing RT effectively has one opting out of the ubiquitous, huge, standard universe of regular Windows applications. This should be your prime concern and criterion... over and above type or capabilities of cpu.
The superficial similarity of the Windows 8 user interface on both RT- and true Windows-based tablets or "slick-books" should not distract you from or otherwise obscure their important and quite essential differences.

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Answer Best answer as chosen by user flame7926

Is Intel Atom cpu up to running full Microsoft Windows OS(?)

by krellmeister - 11/23/12 3:37 AM

In Reply to: Is Windows 8 worth it with Atom? by flame7926

Yes, the latest version of Intel's mobile ATOM cpu is quite capable of adequately handling the latest full blown Microsoft OSs... as long as you understand and accept that no consumer level portable device (whether tablet or laptop) is going to give you desktop-level performance even while exacting a price premium for portability on each performance increment. Bear in mind that 64-bit versions of Windows 7/8 will not run natively on a 32-bit only cpu. You also will not get even Intel-only desktop quality graphics coupled with most, if not all (?), devices built around the ATOM. This last will probably change for the better soon but take care to acquire now what you want and expect now. Your basic question seemed to be, "Can an ATOM do Windows?" (i.e.,...and not really about RT and it's ARM-oriented implementation). I hope to have perceived and answered the right question.

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