Windows 8 Rumored to be 3D

Some rumors are hard to believe, and yet sometimes you can't help buy pay attention. That certainly describes a story coming from an Italian web site (blog) which claims that Windows 8 will come in a fully three-dimensional edition.

The blog is very careful to call the story unofficial. It begins by noting that Windows 8 will be available in 32-bit and 64-bit editions, but not 128-bit.

Those numbers refer to the amount of information that a computer's CPU (center processing unit) can process simultaneously. Software has to be specially written to work with the number of bits on a computer, which is why Windows 7 has two separate editions (32-bit and 64-bit) and Windows 8 will be the same.

The news that there won't be a 128-bit edition is not a great shock, as there's very little chance of 128-bit computers being used on any large scale during the anticipated lifespan of the next edition of Windows.

Incredible Memory Requirements for 3D Windows 8

The Italian blog then claims that there'll also be two different interfaces in Windows 8. It claims that one edition, code-named Wind, will display Windows in full 3D but will work with standard monitors. (Source: windows8italia.com)

Supposedly, this edition will require 170MB of dedicated video memory. This won't come out of standard memory and thus will require a dedicated video card, ruling out most low-cost machines. It will also only be available on the 64-bit edition of Windows 8.

If the report is true, Wind may also automatically control which shortcuts and icons appear on the desktop, and in what location. The idea would be to respond to the programs and files the user runs most often, thus speeding up the daily routine.

Windows 8 Interface Reminiscent of Aero

In some ways, the rumor is certainly believable. After all, Microsoft introduced the Aero interface in Vista, which offered a more attractive and arguably more useful graphical display, but demanded a high-end system to make the most of it.

But in practice, the hardware demands mentioned in this story seem far too high, particularly given that so much work was done with Windows 7 to halt the previously inevitable pattern of users needing ever-increasing specs on their PC. This is particularly the case considering just how few people are likely to purchase a 3D monitor anytime soon. (Source: osnews.com)