Perhaps there will be some kind of mode switch between the two kinds of layouts.
More likely that the OS will detect the type of hardware and adjust screen size, font size, etc. accordingly.
There is. You do not have to use the Metro UI if you are on a desktop/laptop.
The cool idea is that Win 8 is far more flexible, allowing a modest version to run on phones, a more feature-rich version to run on tablets and a full-feature version to run on desktops/laptops. Even the XBox is going to use Win 8 as its OS.
The absolute merger of platforms and familiarity it will bring could be huge for MS....if they get it right.
The head of Windows Phone just moved over to Windows 8, a sign that more convergence is taking place.
With Apple's iOS restrictions and Google's Android bloat/fragmentation, there is an opportunity here for MS.
MS will set hardware requirements (similar to Apple) but allow for variations. Small tablets, large tablets, laptops, desktops, etc of all sizes/shapes/flavors will be available. All will upgrade at the same time, just like Windows does. No left-behind hardware until they reach Windows 9.
I believe there is.
I think the biggest risk is going with Arm and Intel/x86 based processors. How will the apps work between them? Will all apps have 3 different installs? one for each x64, x86, and Arm?