The fruity-named company slammed Microsoft for charging users for Windows 8

Oct 23, 2013 13:52 GMT  ·  By

Apple introduced its new OS X Mavericks update yesterday, deciding to offer it free of charge to users already running its operating system.

The fruity company used a pretty unusual approach during its launch party, slamming not only Microsoft’s efforts in the tablet industry, but also the new Windows 8 operating system.

As the editors over at WinBeta note, Apple used a slide with the Windows 8 retail package to show its audience the difference between its own marketing approach and Microsoft’s, pointing out that Redmond actually charged users up to $199 (€150) for the new operating system, while it’s offering its latest product for free.

There are two main reasons why doing this isn’t quite the smartest idea.

First of all, Windows 8 is a completely new operating system that brings many more changes than a regular update. Windows 8 brought a completely new UI optimized for the touch, versions aimed at tablets, new Internet Explorer builds, the new Windows Store, and many other improvements not yet available in the Windows ecosystem.

At the same time, Microsoft used a similar approach earlier this month when it rolled out the Windows 8.1 update, also offering it for free to users running its modern operating system.

Second of all, Apple has basically done the same thing until recently, as OS X Mavericks is the first update that’s being offered free of charge to its users. Needless to say that Redmond was the first to do it, with the Softies confirming the freeware license before its BUILD developer conference in June.

Last but not least, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook also had the time to discuss about Microsoft’s efforts in the tablet market, explaining that the software giant is most likely “confused” about this particular side of the industry because it “tries to make tablets into PCs and PCs into tablets.”

That’s actually the whole idea behind Microsoft’s strategy, as it tries to innovate in the tablet sector by offering the best of the tablet and laptop worlds. That’s why it actually promotes the Surface as the most productive tablet on the market.

While seeing Apple blasting rivals is quite a new thing, Microsoft has absolutely no reason to worry about. Windows 8.1 seems to be the right step forward, so it only needs to keep listening to user feedback and improve its products on a regular basis.