Windows 8 To Go On Sale In October According To Bloomberg
Microsoft is keeping everyone guessing about the release date of both the Windows 8 RTM version and the final version. Bloomberg is now citing unnamed sources close to Microsoft that Windows 8 will go on sale "around" October 2012.
According to the news article posted on the site, the release will include versions for both Intel and ARM devices.
System manufacturers working with Microsoft will release more than 40 Intel machines running Windows 8, and five ARM devices that run a customized version of the operating system.
While not confirmed or denied, it is likely that Microsoft will release the operating system in chunks. If the Windows 7 launch is anything to go by, countries like the United States, Germany, Spain and France would be the first where the operating system would go on sale, followed by other countries over the course of months.
Considering the success of the initial launch of Windows 7, it is likely that Microsoft will mimic the release as closely as possible. While we have not heard of any Windows 8 Family Packs being announced yet, there is a chance that the company will make those available as well. Family Packs contain multiple licenses of the operating system for a reduced price that can be used on different computers in one household.
Bloomberg also reports that Microsoft will hold a partner-event in April 2012 where it will provide Microsoft partners with the Windows 8 release strategy.
A Windows 8 release in October would fall directly in line with my 2010 prediction that Windows 8 will be released in that month. Back then I looked at correlations between the Windows 7 development process and an official information that were posted on the Dutch Microsoft site at that time.
Interested in the editions that Microsoft will release? According to Windows 8 News, Microsoft will actually release more editions than were released when Windows 7 came out. This can be mainly attributed to the ARM edition.
What are you going to do if Microsoft will release Windows 8 in October? Will you buy it immediately, wait until a service pack gets released, or will you skip the operating system completely? I for one will wait for the RTM version to be released for testing before I make up my mind. It is however likely that I will buy the Ultimate edition of Windows 8 this time, if the professional edition ships without full Bitlocker support.
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I Even Don’t Think To Switch My Old Windows XP (Until The Support Ends, I Switch To Linux).
please send one copy of xpfor my thin client.initialy-
I haven’t even switched to 7 yet and when I do soon I’ll probably stay with it for about 10 years. Not interested in 8 at all.
The next couple of years ought to be interesting and will say a lot about MS future both on the desktop and handhelds. No risk no reward… but honestly I’d like to sit this one out. I’ll get it from work (MSDN) just so that I keep up. Whether it’s dual booted on just 1 machine or my main OS remains to be seen. I see no use for Metro (at least not yet) but the start button reg hack makes it feel like it could be a decent desktop OS. If I were a paying customer I wouldn’t consider it at all.
I’ve told all my clients (not many or large, it’s just moonlighting) to hold off since Win 7 will be supported until 2020 and Win 8 just isn’t needed. Only 1 is still running XP and they’re looking closely at Ubuntu LTS (I was shocked). It may be a sign that I would do well to keep up with my Linux skills.
If they have as nice pre-order deals as they had for win7 I’ll pre-order it as soon as it’s available. I don’t like metro at all so I might not even install it. If MS keeps being dumbasses I might just end up auctioning it off lol.
What will I do if W8 is released in October? The same as if it was released tomorrow – nothing.
MS aren’t listening – the CP is more of a mess than the Dev Preview for ‘old fashioned’ computers, so much so that I think W8 is only really fit for purpose on tablets.
@Martin Brinkmann,
This site (and many others) cover new/updated application which added Windows 8 “support”.
None of these apps support Metro. So, exactly what apps will Microsoft present to Windows 8 users using desktop or tablets (x86/Arm) on October ? If those apps will be Windows 7 cllasic apps, Microsoft better ditch Metro.
Well I would suppose that it is not necessary to create a Metro version of a desktop app that is cleaning temporary files. All you would have to do is to add new locations and that’s it, unless you would want your users to start the app from metro as well (which they probably still can if they pin it or use the search).
Those apps may switch to desktop right away though.
So why do I need Metro if its only purpose is a desktop switcher ?
The reason that apps can switch to the desktop does not mean that there are not apps or services available that do not. I understand that there are users that do not really need Metro, and I would say I’m one of them. Still, some will certainly find it useful once they get their head around it.
MS can delay the release of this horrible travesty of an interface forever, for my money.
When is Ocober?
In December!
This article needs some editing. RTM and final version are one and the same. And Bitdefender support ? Do you mean Bitlocker ? C’mon, please. It’s highly confusing.
While RTM and final may be the same, they are not released at the same time and they serve different purposes. Corrected Bitdefender to Bitlocker.
8loader anyone?
what will I do?
ignore it until such time as I either have to use it or MS realise what a mistake a touch based system on desktops will be in the workplace.
or wait until support ends on Win7 and then move to Linux.