Windows 8 on ARM won't include some business manageability features
Microsoft has finally come out and admitted that the ARM version of Windows 8 won't include some business manageability features.
Microsoft acknowledged this in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview Product Guide for Business PDF document released earlier today.
Here's how Microsoft worded it in the document:
‘ARM-based tablets use less power than 32-bit and 64-bit devices and workers can rely on the extended up-time of these devices. Although the ARM-based version of Windows does not include the same manageability features that are in 32-bit and 64-bit versions, businesses can use these power-saving devices in unmanaged environments.'
Based on this it is unclear as to what features will be missing from the platform. No clarification has yet been received from Microsoft as to what the missing features are. However, this statement is a clear warning to enterprise users that Windows on ARM hardware might not fit in with their needs.
Microsoft is eager not to dwell on these limitations though. The paragraph following the one above details an alternative workplace scenario using Windows To Go:
'Windows To Go enables alternative workplace scenarios. Offsite temporary workers can be given a Windows To Go drive for the duration of their employment so that no corporate data is stored on their personal device. Remote and work-at-home employees can be issued a Windows To Go drive for regular work done outside of the office. In these scenarios, the Windows To Go drive enables remote worker productivity while helping keep corporate data safe.'
It looks as though Windows 8 might not be completely ready for the post-PC era after all.
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