Windows 一直是企業家常用的作業系統，在平板當導的時代，大部分企業家仍然因平板版 Windows 系統未有就觸控界面作優化，或 Windows 平板的效能遠低於手提電腦機桌上電腦。Windows 8 就是針對這弊端作出優化，灌進 Metro 界面，方便用戶。此外，重要的是 Microsoft 一早就公佈 Windows 8 將會支援 Arm 架構的處理器。而 ARM 處理器中，效能較高的明顯是四核心的 Tegra 3 及 Qualcomm S4 Krait Cortex A15 高效能雙核心處理器。有見及此，Nvidia 及 Qualcomm 和 Microsoft 合作研發 ARM 架構適用的 Windows 8 作業系統。ARM 處理器適用的 Windows 8 跟 x86 處理器的版本擁有同樣的 Metro 界面，可惜暫時只有開發者能夠享有這投影等 Windows 8，我們只能透過 x86 處理器版本來猜想來日支援 Touch 的 Windows 8。
Qualcomm 的新聞稿：
BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) today announced that its Snapdragon™ processor will be joining Microsoft Corp.’s Windows on ARM developer seeding program. Qualcomm is working with Microsoft to provide test PCs to select developers in order to test and optimize apps for forthcoming Snapdragon-powered Windows on ARM PCs and tablets. This invitation-only program will combine a pre-release version of Windows on ARM with next-generation, high performance Snapdragon S4 test PCs. These test PCs are not representative of commercial form factors or the final Windows on ARM experience; they are designed to give developers early access to building and testing Windows Metro style apps on Qualcomm’s latest technology.
The Windows on ARM developer seeding program will help ensure that Windows Metro style apps available in the Windows Store work great on all Windows 8-based PCs, including those with Qualcomm’s ARM-compliant Snapdragon processors.
“Microsoft’s development tools and the Qualcomm Snapdragon test PCs will enable developers to build and test Metro style apps for Windows on ARM PCs,” said Stefan Kinnestrand, director of business planning, Windows Division, Microsoft. “Based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processor, these systems will equip developers to create Metro style apps and offer a rich set of hardware peripherals that plug in and help enable seamless user experiences on the Windows on ARM platform.”
Qualcomm, with Microsoft, is among those leading the shift to anytime, anywhere connectivity. The Snapdragon mobile processor will offer a combination of processing performance, rich multimedia, GPS, high-performance graphics, wireless connectivity and power efficiency with Windows on ARM.
“Qualcomm is committed to the Windows on ARM ecosystem and knows that enabling developers is a crucial factor for its success,” said Luis Pineda, senior vice president of product management, computing and consumer products at Qualcomm. “We are now providing Snapdragon S4 test PCs with built-in 4G LTE, activated in some regions, to software application developers.”
Qualcomm’s participation in the Windows on ARM developer seeding program provides select developers with the latest generation Snapdragon S4 test PCs running a pre-release version of Windows on ARM. These test PCs contain Qualcomm’s Snapdragon S4 MSM8960 processor with second-generation high performance, power efficient CPU, hardware accelerated Adreno® graphics, full multimedia, GPS, sensors, and peripherals that will enable development and test of next-generation Windows Metro style apps for the coming wave of Windows on ARM PCs.
Nvidia 的新聞稿：
Microsoft to Seed Windows 8 Developers, Device Makers with Test PCs Powered by NVIDIA’s Tegra 3 Mobile Processor
BARCELONA, Spain-Feb. 29, 2012-NVIDIA confirmed today that it is working with Microsoft on a program to distribute Windows 8 test PCs to software developers and device manufacturers powered by the Tegra®3 quad-core mobile processor with 4-Plus-1™ architecture.
This seeding program enables these parties to create a rich ecosystem of apps and devices for Windows 8 on ARM-based processors.
“NVIDIA has a long record of supporting software developers working on the cutting edge of innovation,” said Tony Tamasi, senior vice president of content and technology at NVIDIA. “We’re furthering this tradition by helping to realize the extraordinary potential of Windows on ARM processors, like Tegra 3.”
“Microsoft is excited to partner with NVIDIA to bring developers leading edge Windows on ARM test PCs to support the creation of compelling Metro style app and device experiences for Windows 8,” said Aidan Marcuss, Senior Director of Business Planning, Microsoft.
