Initially, after the release of Window 8, not many were interested in system requirements, because it looked rather ambiguous. Over time, the system was refined and improved. When several worthwhile updates from Microsoft were released, you could already think about what Window 8 has system requirements, and whether it is worth changing the already installed “seven” to it.
What is this OS?
Microsoft was well aware that in order to enter the tablet market, they needed to make an OS that could be easily controlled using the touch screen. Of course, the “seven” already initially had certain additions that made it possible to use it in touch devices, but in fact it was not even worth talking about the convenience of these functions.
Of course, Microsoft could have acted in exactly the same way they did at Apple - just releasing a tablet version on the basis of their new Windows Phone, however, becoming a competitor to iOS (or Android) was almost pointless, so if we talk about the tablet version, then it clearly would show simply deplorable results.
Windows for everyone
Creating a large Window 8, the system requirements of which would be suitable for hybrid devices (equipped with a docking station with a keyboard), already looks more optimal. It is worth noting that even in standard laptops with touch screens, which have recently appeared more and more, such a system could be used, moreover, it would have a fairly wide distribution.
Thus, in the end, a completely new operating system appeared, which was written completely from scratch.
Key Features
It should be noted right away that Microsoft, of course, did not dare to refuse compatibility with various applications that were previously released for the "seven" and earlier versions of Windows. In Window 8, the system requirements are sufficient to cope with any programs designed for previous operating systems, it was quite simple to ensure their compatibility.
In this regard, it was decided to leave the old desktop, but at the same time everyone understands that its use on the touch screen is just a miserable sight. That is why it was decided to add a completely new kind of desktop that could work with the old operating system.
Initially, this may seem somewhat strange, because it somewhat increases the system requirements in Windows 8 (64), while initially such a solution may even seem unmanageable, but in fact, two birds with one stone were immediately killed by Microsoft. Users of standard computers can work with the new system in the same way as with the old one, while users of all kinds of tablets and similar devices use the new interface, which is most optimally suitable for such equipment.
What is the new interface?
The new interface is based on several ideas that were originally used by Microsoft in the Zune player, and then also appeared in the Windows Phone operating system, which was originally intended for smartphones.
The basis is the so-called tiled interface, which is an assembly of various applications that are made in the form of various tiles. Unlike what we are used to seeing in ordinary operating systems (like Android or iOS), in which application icons are the same size and are standard pictures, in this case they are not just animated, they also provide the most important information and are executed in the shape of a rectangle or a square.
Any tile can easily move around the screen, while it is worth noting that the desktop itself is in no way limited horizontally, that is, you can simply move it sideways at a distance of about 8500 pixels. The vertical limit is the height of the screen itself.
Work with windows
In the updated interface, working with windows is absolutely not as familiar as in the old desktop mode. Competitors do not have the option of supporting multiple open windows at the same time. In the new interface, this was provided for, that is, you can simultaneously open two applications, the first of which will occupy, for example, the fifth part of the display, while the second will occupy everything else. To place the application in a window on the left or on the right, just slide it in a certain direction.
If you still want to make sure that another application is now located in most of the screen, it’s quite enough for you to simply place the vertical line that shares it with another window in a different position that will be most convenient for you.
Special attention should be paid to the fact that now there are no more familiar to all the buttons "Close" or "Minimize". Now you can simply switch to any other windows or directly to the desktop itself, you can also move the window to the left or right side of the screen, and also close it - for this you literally drop the program by moving your finger to the very bottom of the screen.
What is the old interface?
In this case, nothing unusual - just a standard old desktop, which is almost the same as that used in the "seven". It is made in the form of a completely separate application, that is, in fact, users were offered to use the usual Windows 7 interface, despite the fact that it corresponds to what system requirements are requested by Windows 8 or Windows 8.1.
Sharing feature
This function deserves special attention, since it is quite curious and has never been seen before. This function was developed specifically for use in various tablets, with its help the user can exchange information between several programs that initially were not intended to interact with each other at all.
Thus, for example, using this function, you can link to a specific page that is open in your browser, send it to another person by email, write to Evernote, or broadcast via social networks.
System requirements
The minimum system requirements for Windows 8 are as follows:
- CPU: 1 GHz
- RAM: 1 GB
- Winchester capacity: 16 GB
- Video card: calculated for Microsoft DirectX 9
Of course, the indicators are slightly larger than the system requirements of Windows 7. 8 is already a newer version and has more features, so this phenomenon should not be surprising, although it remains almost the same in the traditional OS interface.