Microsoft reveals upcoming hardware requirements for Windows 8 and 8.1 PCs

[LiLmEgZ]

Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference in Houston was a good excuse for the company to reveal a ton of news about its products and services via its keynotes and press releases. However, some other interesting information was revealed to people who attended one of the panels held during WPC 2013.

The panel was called "How To Talk To Customers About Windows Devices." As ZDNet.com reports, the session offered up some of the new hardware requirements for Windows 8.1 PCs. For example, Microsoft told the attendees all GPUs will be required to have the WDDM 1.3 driver installed to run Windows 8.1. Support for SATA Hybrid hard drives is also being added to the OS.

If a new PC has Windows 8.1 installed and also has NFC hardware, they must use the NCI protocol, according to the new requirements. Inbox support for fingerprint readers is being added to Windows 8.1. As we reported earlier, Microsoft and Intel are also working on a better trackpad technology that will launch later this year. Windows 8.1 running on ARM PCs will require the use of the upcoming Precision Touchpads technology, but it will remain an option for x86 PCs.

Microsoft is also looking towards the near and far future for upcoming Windows hardware requirements. In January 2014, all new Windows PCs will have to support Bluetooth wireless technology if the PC supports WiFi. All new PCs that have integrated cameras will also need to support 720p video resolution by that same date, along with better audio fidelity for any speakers and microphones.

Microsoft is even telling partners about its Windows requirements for January 2015, by which time we might have Windows 8.2 or possibly Windows 9. By that date, all new Windows PCs will have to support the TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 cryptoprocessor specs.

News Sources: http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-reveals-upcoming-hardware-requirements-for-windows-8-pcs http://www.zdnet.com/new-bluetooth-audio-tpm-requirements-coming-for-windows-8-devices-7000018003/

[SPECTRUM]

and more info at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence <_<

[lurch234]

Great supplemental source link SPECTRUM :showoff:

A must read!! Here's a tidbit that really nails microcraps attitude

Systemic obsolescence

Planned systemic obsolescence is the deliberate attempt to make a product obsolete by altering the system in which it is used in such a way as to make its continued use difficult. New software is frequently introduced that is not compatible with older software. This makes the older software largely obsolete. Even though an older version of a word processing program is operating correctly, it might not be able to read data saved by newer versions. The same thing may be said of printers and refill cartridges, for example.

Another way of introducing systemic obsolescence is to eliminate service and maintenance for a product. If a product fails, the user is forced to purchase a new one. This strategy seldom works because there are typically third parties that are prepared to perform the service if parts are still available. To combat this third party repairing – say in the case of replacing a laser assembly in a DVD drive — soldered points are on the printed circuit board without explanation so, unless the user knows which ones to remove, the item cannot be repaired. In turn, third parties can overcome this by reverse-engineering (a legal practice), but at added expense which may drive up the price of third-party repair to the point that it is economically unattractive to consumers.

The article not only concerns pcs but lots of manufactured goods:

For an industry, planned obsolescence stimulates demand by encouraging purchasers to buy sooner if they still want a functioning product. Planned obsolescence is common in many different products, including but not limited to wheeled can openers, screws, ear protectors, headphones, shoes, book bindings, automobile batteries, and bicycle tires.

[DKT27]

I'm wondering if my ATI 4870 graphics card will work fine on Windows 8.1. :think:

[LiLmEgZ]

I'm wondering if my ATI 4870 graphics card will work fine on Windows 8.1. :think:

I would say given the fact that WDDM 1.3 needs to be there and supported by the card... most likely not :(

[DKT27]

I'm wondering if my ATI 4870 graphics card will work fine on Windows 8.1. :think:

I would say given the fact that WDDM 1.3 needs to be there and supported by the card... most likely not :(

I think all depends on AMD. Still, unlikely that they will provide the driver updates.

[LiLmEgZ]

I'm wondering if my ATI 4870 graphics card will work fine on Windows 8.1. :think:

I would say given the fact that WDDM 1.3 needs to be there and supported by the card... most likely not :(

I think all depends on AMD. Still, unlikely that they will provide the driver updates.

Ya but I remember reading an AMD news press about Windows 8 & WDDM 1.2 support about 6 months ago or so... only the 5000 series and newer supports that fully dude...

I cant find the link currently but I KNOW I read about it! Ill update this posting for you if I find the link, but for now I found this page regarding Windows 8.1 Preview drivers for AMD cards... http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/AMDCatalystWIN8-1PreviewDriver.aspx and it lists which models it supports currently... good luck! :)

P.S. I didn't find your card on the listed page, sorry bro :(

[DKT27]

Thanks for the info. My ATI 4870 is not mentioned.