Updated: Windows 8 release date and price: all the latest details
Updated: Windows 8 release date and price: all the latest details
-470-75.jpg)
Microsoft has revealed the Windows 8 release date is October 26 2012.
With the announcement of the date, the software giant has confirmed that Windows 8 will be with us before the Christmas/holiday shopping period. The Windows 8 release date is in line with the Autumn 2012/Fall 2012 release date we were expecting - indeed, we had predicted it would be launched the day before, on October 25.
The announcement of the October date came during the main keynote at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference 2012. Windows chief marketing officer Tami Reller stated the Windows 8 release date was set for "late October" and the Windows 8 RTM date is early August. Windows President Steven Sinofsky subsequently made the official date announcement at Microsoft's annual sales meeting.
RTM means release to manufacturing, essentially the date at which the bods at Microsoft shout "it's finished", the code goes gold and it gets sent to the disc pressing plants.
However, we have been playing with the new operating system for a little while - make sure you check out our in depth Hands on: Windows 8 review.
"For enterprise customers with Software Assurance benefits, they will have full access to Windows 8 bits as early as August," added Windows head honcho Brendon LeBlanc in a blog post after the announcement.
"Additionally, RTM is when we'll be turning on the commerce platform so that developers can start earning money for their apps. Of course, right now with the Windows 8 Release Preview, all apps are still free for people to try."
That long-awaited operating system will be available in all of the major territories as a downloadable upgrade or to buy in store on that launch date, a mere 14 weeks away.
Microsoft will offer only three versions, two for Intel-based PCs (Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro) and Windows 8 RT for ARM-based tablets like the Microsoft Surface. The new OS offers both a traditional desktop interface and the Metro-style touch-friendly UI.
We don't know when the Microsoft Surface release date will be as yet, but we're expecting it around the time of the Windows 8 release date. However, it's unclear if both Windows 8 and Windows RT will launch at the same time. Samsung is known to be releasing a Windows 8 tablet.
Reller also revealed Microsoft has sold 630 million Windows 7 licenses to date - 30 million extra sales over the company's previous announcement in June.
Windows 8 price
Microsoft will offer Windows 8 upgrades for just $39.99 (around £25) for anyone using an existing product. The offer will be open until January 31 and after that the OS will cost a higher price.
If you're currently running Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP on your PC or laptop you'll qualify for a downloadable copy of the top-level Windows 8 Pro for the knockdown price. You will also get Media Center as an additional free download.
A Windows 8 upgrade assistant wizard will walk you through the process. Microsoft says the upgrade process as easy as possible and will also extend to buying a physical disc in store, although that option will cost $69.99 (around £45).
New Windows 8 and Windows RT PCs will be available to buy and upgrades will also be available starting in October. Windows 8 will be available in 109 languages across 231 markets worldwide.
Windows 8 upgrades
A post on the Windows 8 blog explains which files and settings users will be able to bring with them, depending on the pervious version of the OS in question.
"It will ask you what you want to keep from your current Windows installation," the post reads.
"You will be able to upgrade from any consumer edition of Windows 7 to Windows 8 Pro and bring everything along which includes your Windows settings, personal files, and apps. If you are upgrading from Windows Vista, you will be able to bring along your Windows settings and personal files, and if you are upgrading from Windows XP you will only be able to bring along your personal files. Of course, if you want to start fresh, you can choose to bring nothing along."
 |  |
Comment