Tablet Guide – Windows

Windows, the dominant operating system for computers throughout the world, has asserted its efforts on the new generation of compact computer, the tablet. Microsoft Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows RT are perfect operating systems for working on the tablet platform, offering users amazing possibilities.

Pros and Cons

Control using touch, mouse, and even keyboard
Features Microsoft applications such as Office
Full support for connecting USB peripherals
Software for the classic desktop
Multiple user accounts

Touch panel control in a desktop environment
Fewer apps available from Windows Store
Smaller range of models with Windows RT
Lack of smaller model availability (e.g. 10.1")
Generally higher priced

Choose the best edition for you

Choosing the best operating system to complement usage is important, and that's why Microsoft offers a choice of three: Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro and Windows RT. Each edition is fully optimised for use with a tablet, offering a fluid, intuitive, and easily customisable user interface. At first glance, all three may appear the same; however, there is one significant difference, which is reflected in their functionality. While Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro are designed exclusively for computers and tablets with x86 processor architecture, Windows RT always features ARM processor architecture.

Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro

Both Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro Tablets feature x86 processors; precisely the same processors drive many notebooks and desktop computers today. The new generation Intel Atom processor, with excellent performance and consumption, is commonly found in high-quality tablets.

Full-featured "Windows"
With their x86 processors, Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro tablets not only work with pre-installed "tablet" apps, but you can also add apps from the Windows Store and use classic desktop programs from previous versions of Windows. Tablet apps are designed for touch control, while desktop apps use the mouse and keyboard, which are compatible with Windows 8 tablets thanks to the presence of a docking base, or simply via USB ports.
Perfect for work and play
Tablets with Windows 8 or Windows 8 Pro can even be used to replace notebooks, depending on individual user requirements. The touch interface, software and advanced applications from the Windows Store offer content monitoring and entertainment. They provide a high level of working efficiency by supporting desktop applications controlled using the keyboard and mouse, in a classic desktop environment with multiple windows. Advanced features, such as remote desktop connection or connection to a domain on Windows 8 Pro, clearly illustrate the benefits of using Windows tablets even in the corporate sector.

Tips for tablets with Windows 8

Windows 8 Tablet Offers

Windows RT

Tablets with the Windows RT operating System are equipped with ARM processors. They feature passively cooled graphics cards, very low power consumption, and ever-increasing performance, and they have been used in mobile phones, media players and Wi-Fi routers for years. An example of an ARM product in a Windows RT tablet is the NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor, which offers superior multimedia performance.

New Office for free
Different architectures allow Windows RT to run integrated applications, such as Mail, People or SkyDrive, and applications available from the Windows Store. System functions can differ significantly from the "core" edition of Windows 8. With Windows RT, you can even get BitLocker data protection and Office Suite 2013 RT optimised for touch control. It is also possibile to connect USB peripherals (mouse, keyboard, printer, etc.) that are Windows RT certified (displaying a "Designed for Windows RT" logo).
Keep in touch
Windows RT tablets are ideal if you are looking for a thin, lightweight device with long battery life (often exceeding 10 hours) and fast startup. Windows RT tablets also remain connected and resume quickly from sleep mode. Timely updates and protection against digital threats are provided by Windows Update, Defender and Firewall.

Tips for tablets with Windows RT

Windows RT Tablet Offers

Final recommendations and comparisons

Selecting the right tablet ultimately depends on how you want to use it.

Unless you know in advance that the tablet will be primarily used to surf the Web, play music and videos, view photos, play games, manage mail, communicate with friends, share content, stay on social networks and perform tasks in Office applications, reach for a Windows RT tablet.
If you want to work on the same tasks as on your heavier notebook, with its limited battery life, the best choice would be a tablet with Windows 8. You'll get a new-generation universal computer with exceptional mobility and battery life, and all the same features as Windows RT. Tablets with Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro also offer the ability to run programs that have been used on previous versions of Windows on your PC – by simply connecting the input peripherals, the Windows 8 tablet suddenly becomes a fully functioning computer.

	Windows 8	Windows 8 Pro	Windows RT
Running applications from the Windows Store
Running classic programs on your desktop
Pre-installed full version of Office
Data Encryption? BitLocker
Remote Desktop Connection
Connecting to a domain
Anti-virus protection & malware Windows Defender