October 2012 will be well remembered by the IT community. It included the announcement date of the long-awaited operating system, which was supposed to shake the foundations by presenting us with a fundamentally new interface. Well, she shocked me. As we wrote, the new “magic tile,” better known now as Modern UI or the former Metro interface, looks completely different from the previous windows.

The introduction of this interface even on desktop computers, and even right from the doorstep - making it the start screen, means a lot. First of all, Microsoft's desire to accustom everyone to it. It’s not surprising, the company wants to make its “tiles” an ordinary, familiar thing that we see on our computers, tablets and smartphones.

At this point we have already described Windows 8 and . But in order to cover the entire family, we must also talk about Windows RT. This is a completely new “beast”, hitherto unknown. A preview of Windows 8 could be downloaded a long time ago; the capabilities of Windows Phone 8 could be judged in general terms by Windows Phone 7. But Windows RT is a different matter. What is it? Let's figure it out.

Windows RT. How to download and is it possible?

Windows RT cannot be downloaded. Neither through Torrent sites, nor from file hosting services. We are talking about a completely different type of system. Windows 8 is a classic OS for x86 processors that is distributed at retail. Therefore, it can be installed on any computer. But have you ever seen a computer with an ARM processor? To make it personal. At the time of writing, we can only remember one such one - that comes with Chrome OS and a chip Samsung Exynos 5250. The so-called Toshiba AC100 smartbook was once produced. With Linux OS and based on the dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 platform.

All such devices were sold in very small quantities and have not yet conquered the market. Therefore, we are left with tablets and smartphones, on which it is even more difficult to install anything other than the already installed system. Of course, various enthusiasts perform a similar trick, going to great lengths. Even recently, such a modification is usually not available to the average mobile phone owner.

So you can give up hope of installing Windows RT on your Android tablet or smartphone - it’s not impossible, but it’s not that easy, and you’ll immediately lose your warranty. This is perhaps the main difference between Windows RT and other Windows. Of course, in addition to supporting the ARM architecture.

For the first time in a long time, Microsoft has ported its consumer OS to a radically different processor architecture. Windows NT 4.0 supported Alpha processors, after which a special version of Windows XP was released for Intel processors Itanium (IA-64), and then Windows XP Professional x64 Edition followed - the first OS for the AMD64/Intel EM64T architecture, modern 64-bit AMD processors and Intel.

The transition of full-fledged Windows to ARM initially caused a lot of controversy. Everyone was discussing what she would become. At first it seemed that it would be a typical Windows, but on ARM. But, as we already know, Microsoft’s idea was different - to get everyone hooked on the “magic tile” (the former Metro interface), even desktop users. However, the result turned out strange - it seemed that the system was clearly not completed. It gives the impression of a raw product. Why? Let's figure it out. But first, a few words about already released Windows RT devices.

Windows RT tablets

Microsoft's policies have always been different from Apple and Google. The company tried to follow its own path, but in many ways it resembles “the path of Apple as a carbon copy with the slightest twist to Google.” Therefore, tablets and smartphones on Windows Phone 8 and Windows RT are produced not by Microsoft itself, but also not by the “thousand and one” manufacturers, but by the “elite”, so to speak - only large companies. And so it turned out that at the beginning of 2013 we counted only 5 tablets running Windows RT, one of which had already been canceled, at least in the USA. Let's take a look at what true Windows tablets look like.

Of course, the very first device to actually go on sale was the Surface RT - Microsoft's own development, with the help of which the company sets the direction, shows how, in its opinion, the reference device should look like. It was he who became the first tablet with Windows RT, which most publications reviewed. Externally, an excellent device based on a quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3 chip, 2 GB of RAM and 32-64 GB SSD. In a wonderful metal case with a good external keyboard. That's just Windows RT... However, we're in a hurry.

The second Windows RT tablet, ASUS VivoTab RT, also known as TF600T, also managed to go on sale. It was he who fell into our hands, and it is from him that we are writing this review. An article about an ASUS device with Windows RT will follow later. And let’s note that it largely repeats the Surface RT: NVIDIA Tegra 3, 2 GB of RAM, 32-64 GB of memory, 10.1-inch IPS screen. The main difference is the docking station with a second battery and additional connectors. With it, the device turns into a kind of netbook with impressive autonomy.

Samsung did not stand aside either. But her action is most indicative. Just like ASUS, the company announced three tablets running Windows RT (one piece) and Windows 8 (two models). However, ATIV Tab on Windows RT has been cancelled. At least in the USA, one of the largest markets in the world. At the same time, the device differs from the two described above in that it is made based on a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor. It also has 2 GB of RAM, 32 or 64 GB SSD and a 10.1-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 1366x768.

Dell has also decided to release a tablet with Windows RT. Its XPS 10 is also made on a dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 chip, has a 10.1-inch screen and from 32 to 64 GB of memory. In general, it resembles the Samsung ATIV Tab. Although the docking station with keyboard and battery is more similar to the ASUS VivoTab RT.

And the last device is the Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11. The funny thing is that this is not a tablet, but a laptop. Or an ultrabook. Or a smartbook. Difficult to accurately identify this device. But its keyboard is not detachable, but is integral with the screen. By the way, with an 11.6-inch screen, and not 10.1-inch like the others. However, its resolution is the same - 1366x768 pixels. Otherwise, the IdeaPad Yoga 11 resembles Surface RT or VivoTab RT: NVIDIA Tegra 3, 64 GB SSD, 2 GB RAM. Lenovo promises battery life of up to 13 hours. An extremely interesting product that we would be happy to test.

You can actually buy only three of the five listed here: Microsoft Surface RT, ASUS VivoTab RT and Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11. We believe that these products are not in great demand. Their offers are few, and manufacturers do not boast of much success. This says a lot. Why do such good gadgets sell poorly? The whole problem is probably in Windows RT.

We wrote above that after the announcement of the preparation of a new Windows for the ARM architecture, many thought that new system will be a regular Windows, but running on ARM chips. There wasn’t much talk about tablets; rather, discussions began about new compact and inexpensive laptops with impressive battery life and the usual “windows.”

But very soon Microsoft showed the Metro interface (“magic tile”), and then announced that ARM devices would not be able to run “classic” applications - only Metro would remain for third-party developers. At first, one might think that the new Windows would not have a familiar desktop at all, but would become exclusively a system with large controls, which is the essence of the touch-oriented Metro interface.

But the reality turned out to be much more tricky. Microsoft really tried to get rid of the “classics”, but they didn’t succeed. The developers had to support two versions of the interface at once, which seriously confuses users. We will explain why this is so below. For now, let's take a look at what a "magic tile" is.

Microsoft really likes the Metro (or Modern UI) interface. Apparently, not least because of its operating principles. One of them is horizontal scrolling. All elements of the “magic tile” are rewound from left to right and logically represent a long “horizontal spread”. The start screen of Windows RT and Windows 8, as well as Metro applications, is built on this principle.

Let's remember that in Windows 8 this screen replaced the Start menu. However, it did not become its complete analogue. This is a kind of combination of a system-wide menu and a desktop with widgets. Each cell of the start screen is both an application shortcut and a widget. A tile can be either static or dynamic, changing its contents in accordance with new data. For example, inside the “squares and rectangles” the weather forecast, the number of unread letters, a beacon about the release of an update, and so on can be displayed.

Application cells can be moved as desired, some of them can be resized. In addition, you can even display the entire “spread” on the screen. All these operating principles are the same for both Windows RT and Windows 8. You can see how they work live in our video about Windows 8 - everything will be similar on ARM tablets.

The additional menu is called up with special gestures. In particular, this is a finger movement from top to bottom or bottom to top from the bottom or top edge of the screen. For example, you can call up a list of all installed applications.

As you can see, there are not very many programs. Metro applications are displayed on the first screen. This is followed by programs from the Microsoft Office 2013 package and the utility (read standard) Windows applications, which we will discuss in more detail below. For now, let's take a look at what Metro programs Microsoft ships with Windows RT.

The main problem of any new operating system is the applications that exist for it. And even if there is not a single program from third-party manufacturers, it is still extremely important what the developer offers out of the box. After all, even the “pop” iPhone in its first version did not have an application store, the same App Store. It only appeared with iPhone OS 2.0 (now iOS) in 2008. But what Apple initially prepared satisfied a fairly large number of people.

Windows RT does not lack an application store, but it will be discussed below. In the meantime, let's take a look at what Microsoft offers tablet buyers from that very “box”.

Windows RT mail client

The software giant has not forgotten about mail. Windows RT has its own client, and in the Metro interface. However, its functionality is very basic.

The client is divided into three panels: the list of folders, the list of letters and the contents of the letter. The third panel is the widest. The interface is the usual one used today in Microsoft Outlook. By the way, the Windows RT email client is also called Outlook, but Microsoft has already announced that, which is known to us from the Microsoft Office suite.

When creating a letter, the addresses of the recipients are indicated on the left, and the text of the letter itself is indicated on the right.

Additional options on the bottom panel include checking for new emails, pinning an email to the Start screen, moving it to another folder, and the ability to mark a message as new. The upper right corner offers options for creating a new letter, replying to the current one, and deleting a letter.

That's it, this is all the functionality of the standard Windows RT email client. No filters, no virtual folders, no fine-grained and flexible settings for checking emails, and so on - everything was done in person basic level. This option is suitable for very unpretentious users.

People

All this happens for a reason - mobile operators and manufacturers of mobile gadgets do not want to depend only on one system that they do not control. In light of this, we may soon see tablets not only running iOS, Android and Windows RT, but also other operating systems. So, it is very possible that Windows RT is already worse than these “others”.

Microsoft made a lot of noise with Windows 8, and the result was almost a bubble. Windows RT turned out to be a very crude, unfinished system. It would be nice if there wasn't enough in it pre-installed applications, okay, there wouldn’t be very many of them in the Windows Store. But in an attempt to give tablet owners the advantage of a full-fledged office suite, the classic desktop, which is like a fifth wheel in Windows RT, was retained. And the point is not so much in poor optimization of the office suite, but in the fact that because of the desktop you expect to be able to install regular applications on the tablet.

At the same time, there is a clear flaw in the settings and system updates. From Metro, the update process does not occur completely, only from the toolbar. And changing OS parameters is much more efficient from there.

In fact, Windows RT is Windows 8, which does not run regular programs. They don't work and won't work. However, the system is still poorly optimized in terms of power consumption, and it also has problems with the space occupied on the drive.

It remains to be hoped that these shortcomings will be corrected. Rumors promise that this will not be Windows 9, but will be something like Windows 8 Service Pack 1 - a major update that will also bring changes to the interface. We must assume that Windows RT will also get this. They are waiting for an update in the summer, maximum in the fall of 2013. Well, we will wait too.

Dear reader, you’ve probably already heard about the new operating systems Windows 8 and Windows RT and guessed that there must be some differences between them, if only because they are called differently.

There is a difference: although this time Microsoft is limiting the number of available versions of Windows 8 (at least in comparison with previous Windows releases), Windows RT is a separate option, functionally “tailored” for use with ARM processors. In this Windows communications RT has already been “dubbed” as an attempt by Microsoft to create its own version of Apple’s, since it turned out that this is the OS Windows RT is most similar to in its functionality.

What does "RT" mean?
As in the case of Windows NT, the developer prefers not to provide any clear definitions of this abbreviation for now. Also, none of the uninitiated will say why Microsoft decided to call the ARM-oriented version with a letter combination similar to the one in circulation WinRT, which is used to abbreviate the name Windows Runtime. So, if you thought that Windows RT and WinRT are the same thing, then you are wrong.

If anyone is interested, Windows Runtime, or WinRT, although related to the Windows 8 and Windows RT operating systems, is not an OS. WinRT is the name of the programming model on which new Metro applications are developed. By the way, this is not the first Windows Runtime in history. “Runtime” is also called a set of application programming interfaces (APIs), with the help of which developers create programs that can interact with both the hardware base various devices, and with each other.

In our case, “RT” is simply part of the name of Microsoft’s new OS for ARM, which actually means “Windows Lite”, since, unlike the full-featured Windows 8, RT does not work in both Metro and Desktop modes.

What is Metro?
In fact, Microsoft no longer wants to call it, but, as they say, it’s too late. So, Metro is an interface (UI) that uses “tiles” instead of the usual icons, displaying data from applications in real time. And all this works on WinRT.

What is WinRT?
Essentially, WinRT is the basis for the Metro appearance of the Windows 8 system. However, WinRT is not only a way to implement the Metro interface, but also a model that makes life and work easier for Windows developers. Creating applications for Metro is much easier than writing programs for Windows 7 and even earlier versions of the Microsoft OS. Of course, this is also of great importance for the company, since Windows 8 is a much more attractive program for third-party developers than all previous Wins, which means more new applications...

So what's the difference between Windows 8 and Windows RT?
There are several most noticeable differences between these systems (more precisely, between one system and its version). By the way, Microsoft has already published a whole diagram illustrating all these differences. We will not copy it here, but we will note the main points:

• Windows RT will only work on devices with ARM processors;
• Windows RT will have its own Desktop mode, but only for pre-installed programs developed by Microsoft. Those. versions of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, OneNote and other applications from the new Microsoft Office suite customized for the touch interface;
• Windows RT will support data encryption on the devices it ships with;
• Neither old nor new x86/x64 programs will work with Windows RT.

What devices will we see Windows RT on?

So far, computer manufacturers are demonstrating extreme caution in everything related to installing this OS on their new products. You can understand them: no one knows exactly how the consumer will react to such a specific version of Windows 8, to put it mildly. Nevertheless, the list of devices that come with Windows RT as a pre-installed operating system is quite wide and includes, in particular, the following models:

• Microsoft Surface RT is Microsoft's sensational first-born in the field of computer hardware. By the way, the company offers this device to the public in two versions: one Surface comes with Windows RT, the second with standard Windows 8. To ensure that potential buyers do not confuse anything, the devices are called Surface RT and Surface Pro, respectively. Both new items officially go on sale after October 26th.
• The Dell XPS 10 hybrid tablet is a smaller version of the XPS 12 (which comes with Windows 8), i.e. Same design and features as all Dell Duo series computers.
• — just like the XPS 10, it comes in two sizes: a smaller one with Windows RT, a larger and more powerful one with a full-featured Windows version 8. And just like Dell, the main feature of the hybrid Yoga is the original design of the display hinges, thanks to which the tablet screen can literally be flipped over and unfolded on the reverse side, turning the tablet into a laptop and, conversely, a laptop into a tablet.
• Samsung Ativ Tab - Samsung has long been a recognized authority in the development of tablet PCs; moreover, the company's Android specialization can be seen even in the Ativ Tab tablet, created specifically for Windows RT, which is externally Galaxy Tab no different.

What about applications for Windows RT?
It is too early to talk about the quantity and quality of such software. But Microsoft notes that when developing applications for Metro, the most important are the ability to connect to the Network, synchronization with cloud services and speed of response. If it suddenly turns out that the program works in Windows 8 Metro, but does not open in Desktop mode, then you should not be nervous right away - it will most likely work on Windows RT too.

Will Windows RT come to older devices with ARM processors?
It is believed that it will not. Officially, Windows RT only comes pre-installed with new devices. There seem to be no exceptions. However, there are countless competent enthusiasts around the world, and who knows what and where they can install?..

What will the transition to ARM give?
ARM is of today. ARM processors are used in all modern iOS and Android devices - this is, so to speak, for clarity. And not only in them. The ARM architecture primarily provides for high energy efficiency. In addition, in the case of Windows RT ARM is not only good system performance and a long time battery life base device, but also much less malware. In other words, the viruses that bad hackers “wrote” for current Windows PCs do not work on ARM devices. In general, the ARM architecture is a huge plus for Windows OS, but to realize all the benefits of this solution, Microsoft needs to somehow convince users that Windows RT is worth starting to use it.

Are there any disadvantages to Windows RT?
Windows RT, of course, is not perfect. Therefore, before switching to this OS, you need to know something.
Firstly, unlike Win 8, in Windows RT Microsoft deliberately limits third-party developers' access to some APIs. This slightly alarmed some web browser developers in particular, causing completely fair fears that by thus closing access to the system, the company decided in one fell swoop to “pinch” the closest competitors of its own browser, which, as we know, has never been able to make Windows an advantage. Actually, Apple blocked its iOS in the same way, so Microsoft did nothing new in this regard.

Secondly, according to preliminary information, an OEM license for manufacturers of computers with Windows RT will cost about $80 per copy, and therefore such devices will most likely cost their owners more than their Android counterparts (for comparison: an OEM license Android is free).

Thirdly, it will be very difficult for an ordinary buyer to distinguish a tablet with Windows RT from the same device with Windows 8 - visually they are the same, so at the right time it is better to once again puzzle the seller with a question than to regret the purchase later.

In general, Windows RT is still considered the biggest and riskiest trick that Microsoft is doing with the new Windows 8. RT is actually a complete break from all previous versions of the system, so the novelty of the approach may somewhat frighten a potential user. Actually, Microsoft understands this, and without pleasant “goodies” they are not going to offer users an extremely unusual version of Win8. What's it worth? free version MS Office, which is included in the standard set of Windows RT applications? However, there is a suspicion that even such radical measures cannot guarantee any stable interest in this system and no one has yet undertaken to predict the reaction of buyers to its appearance. On the other hand, Windows RT is a very promising way for Microsoft to ensure future growth without constant reliance on Intel processors and at the same time, albeit a small one, but still a chance to win back part of the market from Apple. Tablets are becoming more and more more perfect and more popular .

My colleagues who see the Microsoft Surface on my desk often ask whether it’s worth looking at tablets with Windows RT at all. Well, thanks to , I still found the strength to write such an answer...

Windows RT or Windows (PRO)?

The first thing I want to say is that the idea about the inferiority of RT (if we are talking in terms of tablets), which has been circulating on the Internet since its release, is inherently ridiculous.

Actually, what is the main difference between RT and non-RT? Basically 3 things:

• processor architecture (RT is ARM only)
• source of program installation (Windows Store or manually for desktop)
• some features of the OS itself

Program installation source . I’ll start with this point, since this is the main direction of attacks on the OS.

Yes, in the general case, you can install and run only software from the Windows Store on RT (I wrote “in the general case”, because all the pre-installed desktop software, as well as a number of other utilities that can be installed separately, for example Remote Debugger , work smoothly) or install via Sideloading (but this is also only a Windows Store style application). However, to what extent is this a significant limitation?

My personal opinion, which is strengthening day by day, is that you can work comfortably on a tablet. only with programs specially designed for this purpose!!! Working with regular desktop software is a pain!

• if you plan to use the tablet only as a tablet (the idea turned out to be more peculiar, but I think it’s understandable), then forget about the desktop software and look at what’s in the Windows Store. If you have any specific software, check with the supplier whether he plans to release a tablet version (if he plans, then it is logical that it will be a Windows Store style application, even if it will not be distributed through the Store itself).
• if you can’t go without legacy programs, look for a transformable tablet with a full keyboard (and just figure out how much you actually need a tablet - maybe a laptop will be better)

Processor architecture

If they ask me if the Surface slows down, I will answer, alas, yes, this happens. True, I’ll immediately make a reservation that I observed brakes in the following three cases:

• Some toys. Luckily I'm not a gambler, so this doesn't bother me much.
• IE when opening more than 10 tabs with Flash (on regular pages I opened 2 dozen - everything works surprisingly quickly)
• Office RT. Again, it should be noted that “slows down” in this case means “works approximately like a regular office on my budget 5-year-old laptop.” Those. I can work, but the comfort level of my usual workplace is inferior.

There are probably some other scenarios, but I haven’t come across them.

Although no, I’m lying – SilverLight has not yet been ported to ARM. For some this may be critical.

Differences in the operating systems themselves

To be honest, after six months of use, I never ran into any restrictions that would hold me back. And judging by this article Windows 8 editions, this does not threaten me (the only thing that comes to mind is the inability to connect to a domain to install corporate software, but, as far as I know, we are not yet developing any corporate software for certain devices - everything is Web only).

Instead of a resume

Having looked at the article, I understand that there are no discoveries or revelations in it. Windows RT is a normal tablet OS, in no way inferior to Android or iOS (and what they did with the interface of the latest iOS makes me want to cry, but that’s just a remark...).

The current situation, when, being an almost complete copy of a regular desktop OS (there is a desktop, all the software installed for it works...), it does not allow the use of third-party software for the desktop, is temporary. I am almost 100% sure that as soon as a full-fledged Metro Office is ready, the desktop will be removed from it completely - because there is nothing for it to do there.

In general, of course, there are special use cases, but this is not for me. My needs from a tablet are banal:

• Reading books (the only thing is that I read technical literature in PDF and CHM and no eInk is a competitor here)
• Internet surfing (a special bonus – Flash works)
• Mail and Skype. I use it, although rarely (there are enough workers)
• Entertainment: games, videos, music - extremely rarely, but I didn’t experience any problems.

For all this, a tablet and software from the store are enough.

In general, I just like Surface. It’s somehow stylish, or something... And if I were to buy a tablet now, I would definitely think about Surface 2 (fortunately, it eliminates many of the shortcomings of the first one).

But other RT tablets (for example, the same one from Nokia) deserve attention.

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I, as the editor-in-chief of the Lifehacker blog, really wanted and still want to get my own idea of ​​the Surface tablet on Windows RT, but I can’t. No, I found a distributor who promised to provide it to us, but the problem is that as soon as another browser touches the tablet, registering their LIVE ID in it, the tablet is firmly attached to this account and I cannot enter mine. Roughly speaking, Microsoft fixed the incompatibility with the browsers of this tablet at the hardware and software level. Therefore, in our understanding of this gadget, we rely on other people’s experience ( and ).

But I want to ignore the clicky keyboards and stand doors and finally figure out what we can do on Windows RT on an ARM processor and what we can’t.

Third Party Applications

When I lived on Windows, I remember the main thing - any application similar to the standard one supplied by Microsoft is better, except for Office.

Windows RT runs on ARM architecture, while your usual Windows applications are built on x86 architecture. Moreover, it will not be enough if the manufacturer of your software converts it to ARM architecture. Microsoft promised to strictly monitor compliance with the interface rules and working principles of the new software. This means there is only one thing - the program needs to be completely redesigned and rewritten. This is very often a long process.

Today, Office and the Internet Explorer browser are available to you on Windows RT. If you love Open Office, Firefox or Chrome, forget it. To edit pictures you will be given Paint, for simple text - Notepad. If you are used to Paint.NET and Notepad++, get out of the habit.

Now applications will only be installed from the Windows Store, which today looks something like this:

Pre-installed software from Microsoft

The most important programs for you will be Internet Explorer and File Explorer (Explorer).

There are the previously mentioned Notepad and MS Paint. But Windows Media Player is no longer there, but there are new Music and Video applications in a modern interface to replace it.

Microsoft Office Buddy

It’s great that W8RT comes standard with Microsoft Office 2013: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote.

But the situation here is not so rosy - while OneNote comes with a modern new interface, the rest of the applications in the office suite are not quite modern. It is obvious that the developer did not have time to release the tablet. For you as a user, this means only one thing - when working in a pre-installed office environment, you will be using an interface that is not convenient to use with your fingers. And then there is a hack from Microsoft that works indistinctly - Touch Mode.

In it, the interface seems to know that it will be touched with fingers and not with a mouse, but this does not make it any more convenient or larger.

On the one hand, Microsoft is pushing for the “touchiness” of new applications from third-party developers, but on the other hand, it’s not clear why Word, Excel and PowerPoint look the same! Let the office developers work with the developers of new interfaces within the company!

By the way, the current pre-installed office suite is built on Home and Student versions. If you need enterprise connectors, macros and plugins, then you need to buy a more paid version :)

Control Panel

If you think it’s difficult to use your fingers in Word, then try setting up your W8RT tablet with your fingers! Yes, the surface settings look like this:

But as soon as you get into the spirit of customization, so beloved by Windows (and Android ;) users, your fingers will have to touch this:

So why does a tablet have a desktop?

It’s not entirely clear why, if you are promoting full-screen touch interfaces and a high-level file system, give the TABLET user a desktop computer desktop. Today, the Desktop is “convenient” to use for two things - changing settings that cannot be reached from the fashionable metro interface, and for working with the office suite, which the company has decided to adapt for its own new concept.

Microsoft is making it clear that users need to wean themselves off the desktop. But the problem is that they don’t seem to believe it themselves. We are waiting for a new future, which Microsoft promised will be very sunny.

In the meantime, tell us what next tablet you will buy.

Windows RT operating system created specifically for devices based on ARM processors. This is Microsoft's attempt to gain market share in tablets. Although visually indistinguishable from Windows 8, there are some key differences, let's look at some of them

Desktop mode

Although it is made for tablet PCs, Windows RT has a "desktop mode" just like a regular PC. That’s true, but it’s a little different; although it’s called a desktop, it doesn’t look like a “computer desk.” Desktop mode allows you to access:
1) Control panels;
2) My Computer, Documents folders and libraries;
3) Internet Explorer 10;
4) MS Paint;
5) Notepad;
6) Office;
This is where their similarities end, only the above-mentioned ones are on the desktop; you cannot place other applications, both existing with the system and those installed.

Conclusion: RT has a desktop mode that gives you access to a file manager and several built-in core apps, but you can't run other apps from the desktop.

Windows Store

Applications can only be installed from the Windows Store. Sad but true. These applications have been specially tailored to work on ARM-based tablet PCs, as well as PC x86 chipsets. Microsoft has created a high-level language for developers so that applications can run on both platforms. This is why existing Windows applications (EXE-executable file) cannot run on Windows RT.

Conclusion: Anything you buy from the Windows Store will work on both Windows 8 RT and normal Windows 8. Other software cannot be installed.

Office 2013

Office pre-installed. Works in desktop mode, but does not include Outlook. Instead, you are expected to use Windows 8's default Mail, People, and Messages app capabilities.

Web browsers

Currently, the only option for browsing the web in Windows RT is Internet Explorer 10. It can be launched either from the Metro start screen, or in desktop mode from the desktop icon. Although there is Google version Chrome, which works in the metro, but it is not available in the Windows Store, and therefore is not available for Windows RT. It's possible that other browsers will be allowed in storefronts in the future, but Microsoft does this by limiting the functionality of third-party browsers. When running on IE 10 you will enjoy full functionality and performance Conclusion: You can use any browser except Internet Explorer 10. But forget about plugins, you won't be able to use any of them! (at least for now)

Media capabilities

The tablet version of Windows does not include Windows Media Player - Xbox music and video applications, this is what Bill Geist suggests as a replacement. There is also no Windows Media Center - if you want to manage external devices(TV tuner for example), then you have to run for full version Windows 8

Conclusion: No Media Center, no Windows Media Player. Xbox Music and video programs only.

Installing other operating systems

Windows users have a new feature called Secure Boot. This is done so that you cannot install a new OS, such as Linux. Apple did this on their iPads a long time ago, and now Microsoft has too

Conclusion: legally, you cannot change the OS on your tablet only if you hack Secure Boot (the people in Russia are talented, I have no doubt that they will hack it, and even share it for free