Responsible for Windows test-Microsoft group vice president, Grant, George has recommended in the official blog of some of the most applicable to the preview version of Windows 8 consumer hardware (not demand), and introduced some of the technical details behind the system recommended. In the initial stages of Windows 8 project, Microsoft's goal is, whether the user wants to use a PC to do what the consumer preview will tell you that "of course". You do not need to make a choice between energy consumption and efficiency, portability and performance, as well as touch and keyboard.
Windows 8 will not provide a fixed "mode", but the way you want to seamlessly switch between the various functions of the PC.
The first step in achieving this goal is to ensure that Windows 8 is applicable to a variety of existing hardware and peripherals.
Microsoft recommends using the Windows 7 logo certification of Windows 7 PC to run the preview version of Windows 8 consumers . Update certain software and equipment provided by the manufacturer, but Microsoft as far as possible to support all the Windows 7 PC. Security, management, and Disk Utility software utility is usually strictly binding at design time with a specific version of Windows need to update from the manufacturer.
Brand of assembly machine, the preview version of Windows 8 consumer recommended configuration is as follows :
- 1GHz or faster processor
- 1GB of RAM (32 bit) or 2GB RAM (64-bit)
- 16GB free hard disk space (32) or 20GB of available hard disk space (64)
- with WDDM 1.0 or higher version of driver procedures for DirectX 9 graphics device
- 1GB of RAM (32 bit) or 2GB RAM (64-bit)
- 16GB free hard disk space (32) or 20GB of available hard disk space (64)
- with WDDM 1.0 or higher version of driver procedures for DirectX 9 graphics device
Using this configuration running Windows 8 will get similar functionality with Windows 7, but users will find many aspects of significant performance improvements.
Windows 8 new requirements are: run Metro-style application requires a minimum screen resolution of 1024x768, To Snap window to adjust the operating procedures of your screen resolution at least 1366 x 768. If you start the Metro-style applications (for example, 800x600, 1024x600) resolution below this standard, you will receive an error message.
However, Microsoft allows you to install Windows on a PC that does not meet this requirement, because even if the application does not use the Metro style, can greatly improve your Windows 7 tasks on your PC, you can also get Windows 8 Other features, such as desktop enhancement. Is a 800x600 resolution screen, Windows 8 "Start" (Start) and "Setting" (Settings) can be run well.
For Windows 8 running on a virtual machine, Microsoft said that if you plan to deploy Windows 8 on the existing hardware in the future, it is recommended that you install the preview version of Windows 8 consumer directly on the hardware, rather than in virtual installation on the machine .
Perhaps some users do not want to directly in the machine to install Windows 8 consumers Preview and select the virtual environment, for some reason. However, Microsoft strongly recommend that the consumer experience in hardware on Windows 8 preview release, because it is designed to mainstream mass-hardware environment. The most important thing, only on the hardware to run Windows 8 pm you can experience the graphics acceleration, fast and smooth operation.
If you want the environment in the touch (the touch tablet machine, double-plate machine, one machine, or the display of the touch function) to experience Windows consumers to preview, then the first device screen to support multi-touch. The current market, most of the Windows 7 touch screen devices can run Windows 8, Windows 8 high-quality touch experience higher demand for hardware . Microsoft lists the models used in internal testing , but stressed that this is not their official certification, just let your reference:
- HP Elitebook 2760p dual-use tablet machine (Note: The PC's resolution to 1280x800, and therefore does not support Snap feature)
- ASUS EP121 Tablet PC (Note: this PC's resolution is 1280x800, and therefore does not support the Snap feature)
- A Dell Inspiron Duo dual-use tablet machine
- Lenovo x220t convertible tablet machine
- 3M M2256PW 22 "display (Note: The raised panels may lead to difficult in the edge of the screen, tap)
- Samsung Series 7 tablet machine (Note: This PC comes in two models, one of which is the published version in the Build Conference and the other is the commercial version; the latter peripherals and firmware is slightly different with the former.)
In addition, there are a range of other functions with specific hardware requirements :
- Safe Boot Secured the Boot new UEFI BIOS, UEFI not been widely used in the PC, but was gradually extended. If your computer does not have a UEFI-you can enable it through the BIOS settings.
- Although not essential, but if your PC has a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), the BitLocker run smoother. Computer with this feature is sometimes necessary BIOS settings to enable it. BitLocker To Go USB flash drive in accordance with the assessment of performance standards required for installation.
- Hyper-V only supports 64-bit systems, but also to have the two Address Translation (SLAT), 2GB of RAM. You can enabled via the BIOS settings SLAT.
- Some games and software graphics capabilities compatible with DirectX 10 or later (including consumer Preview and Windows applications store some game, some games and applications may need an independent graphics card to get the best performance.
- If you are a new installation rather than an upgrade, you should check the PC manufacturer's website to ensure that they provide all the designated drivers are installed. Many laptop can use the driver for energy consumption optimization for the PC (usually ACPI power or chipset drivers) for longer battery life.
The user already installed the preview version of Windows developer, you can use the migration option to install the preview version of Windows 8 consumers (only store your personal files), but do not use the upgrade option (to preserve your personal files, applications, and settings ). Of course, you can perform a clean installation (do not retain any content). The preview version of Windows 8 consumers allowed to upgrade from Windows 7, and running integrated Upgrade Advisor to check whether there is you may need to check any problems. Please note that the upgrade installation will not perform a rollback (you want to re-use of Windows 7, you must reinstall). In addition, Microsoft recommends that backup before the upgrade, migration, or a clean installation of Windows consumer preview version of the system.
Finally, it should be noted that Windows 8 official version will not support upgrade from before Windows 8 "Preview" , but still support the migration options. Any upgrade scenarios, you can run Disk Cleanup Wizard to remove prior to installation, in order to free up disk space. Windows 8 download support for a completely new installation from a USB device.
