A mistaken website update from PC builder HP has potentially shed some light on Microsoft's simplified SKUs for Windows 8.
Documentation for driver downloads on HP's web site appeared to list the upcoming versions of Windows 8 including: Windows 8, Windows 8 Professional and Windows 8 Enterprise. Each available in 32-bit or 64-bit versions.
If that list turns out to be accurate (and HP rather hurriedly took down the pages) then it represents a trimming down of the Windows 7 SKUs with the removal of the Home and Starter SKUs.
HP's web site didn't detail an ARM version, presumably because it's not relevant for driver downloads and Microsoft have stated that the so-called Windows for ARM will not be a retail product as such and will only ship with partner hardware.
Of course this doesn't mean that Microsoft will necessarily have backtracked on offering a variety of additional features for the OS. One possibility is that 'Professional' SKU features, for example, could be bought via the new Windows Store.
Note: We know this isn't the Windows 8 logo but the official one is too boring for our web site. Sorry.

http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/...evealed/028026