Microsoft just showed Windows 8 running on three different ARM platforms: a single-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon, a dual-core TI OMAP 4430 and a quad-core NVIDIA Kal-El notebook.

The same interface we showed you earlier exists on these systems, and the same applications can run across both systems (assuming the apps have been ported to ARM).

 
You get a standard Windows 8 desktop as well as the new tiled start screen. USB devices will work and MS even did a demo of copying files off of a USB thumb drive.
 
 
 
NVIDIA had a Kal-El based notebook and tablet on display. Microsoft showed task manager displaying all four threads during H.264 decode acceleration.

 
 
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  • Spivonious - Thursday, June 2, 2011 - link

    Yeah, they need to solve that one.

    I can see App Store purchases having both versions with one purchase, but legacy apps are a non-starter on ARM. Although I have trouble coming up with anything I'd want to use on a tablet that I use on my desktop.

    Still, including a basic x86 emulator on the ARM tablets wouldn't be out of the question.
  • softdrinkviking - Thursday, June 2, 2011 - link

    I think that intel wouldn't allow it. At least not until ARM is in a position to cross-license. (from intel's point of view)
  • Penti - Thursday, June 2, 2011 - link

    Emulator is software, so shouldn't be an issue. Microsoft however have shown no sign of implemention such a solution.
  • GullLars - Thursday, June 2, 2011 - link

    THIS IS SPAM
    Anandtech needs a "Report Spam" button next to "Reply". And also a "Delete" and/or "Edit" button on posts you have made.
  • ganeshts - Friday, June 3, 2011 - link

    Took care of that ...

    Will talk to Anand later about how to deal with this.
  • speculatrix - Friday, June 3, 2011 - link

    Please, microsoft, use the fact that all windows apps will be recompiled from source to cut out all the legacy dross from the windows API and make it a clean and slim system.

    Since you don't need to maintain binary compatibility you have a rare chance to clean things up! Don't succumb to the pressure to make windows on arm the bloated bag it is on x86!!
  • snarfbot - Friday, June 3, 2011 - link

    this is going to be amazing in a netbook if they can keep the prices down. are we finally going to see usable $200 netbooks? that remains to be seen but im hoping.

    in the future if nvidias roadmaps are to be believed tegra is going to be potent even in the desktop area, at least relative to gpu performance. the successor to the a15 is supposed to add multithreading of some sort as well, its going to be a real beast.

    i mean with the pull that nvidia has with game devs, it isnt so hard to believe that were going to get games ported to arm as well, and id be suprised if valve doesnt port their source games over.

    all nvidia has to do is get some version of tegra into a next gen console and theyve got it made.

    its all really exciting!
  • MySchizoBuddy - Saturday, June 4, 2011 - link

    Anandtech still doesn't have a way to identify and remove spams nor allows it's read to identify spam messages.

    It's 2011 already.
  • ellen128 - Sunday, June 12, 2011 - link

    ok

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