Yes, the one posted on 8/15/2012 was the official final rtm release of windows 8. You would get newer version of windows 8 on msdn in the future if they ever released a service pack for windows 8 in the future.
In fact, the better way would be to have DDL to MSDN's iso ... Like that, we would shure about the most stable version. RTM still sounds less atractive ...
Did you guys really believe, Ms issues RTM and after a few weeks, they go GA and make new one? RTM is being updated online and there will be no SP1 in the near future, especially not one day after the official release to public. Certainly there will be an SP one day but not now.
The difference between the RTM from August and the one downloaded why buying a Upgrade Key, is that the later need you to key in an Product Key while starting the Installation Process. In the older, those were not needed because MS included an Client Key already, which seems to be delete now.
The official Release date was set by MS to allow that Windows 8 will be on new sold machines and also to be placed in the Shop shelfs. It's also the Date the real selling of the product were starting.
So this is just a last clarification for me. The ISOs available for MSDN subscribers are the same final ones. I mean there is no new build for Windows 8? And the RTM version is the same Final version with no differences at all?
They have to "RTM" the software before general availability. RTM stands for "Release to Manufacturing", and it is the final version of the software that they are giving out to 1. system manufacturers so can can sell the PCs on the first day 2. the company that manufactures retail dvd copies of the OS so they can have them in stores on the first day