Windows May Get an ARM Twist

Microsoft may give its mobile aspirations a shot in the arm with a new version of Windows designed to run on ARM processors. The new OS might be Windows 8 and not a stripped-down version of Windows 7 or a beefed-up version of Windows Phone 7.
        Microsoft may unveil a version of its Windows operating system that runs on the ARM (Nasdaq: ARMHY) chip platform at the Consumer Electronics Show to be held in Las Vegas in Jan.

The software will be tailored for battery-powered devices such as tablet computers and other handhelds.

ARM chips consume less power than those from Intel  or AMD , and they are used extensively in mobile devices.


Why Wrestle With ARM?

Offering a version of Windows for the ARM processor will give Microsoft more heft in the tablet and very light PC markets.
"Windows Phone 7 is too light, and Microsoft recognizes that this new platform will need to be for the next PC and also address stronger threats from Apple's  iOS andGoogle's  Chrome OS," Enderle explained.
"So, it's a rethinking of Microsoft's PC platform and not an extension of its smartphone platform"