14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft's Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner has revealed at the Worldwide Partner Conference 2014 in Washington today that the Redmond-based software giant is working to bring very affordable tablets to the market, that could be sold for as low as $99 (73 euros).
Turner has explained that these tablets won't be produced by Microsoft, but by the company's partners, suggesting that rumors pointing to a Chinese Windows tablet that would be available at very low prices are indeed accurate.
At the same time, Turner has also said that a notebook which will be priced at around $250 (180 euros) and run Windows 8.1 could also see daylight, again with the help of partners across the world.
No other details have been provided, but Microsoft's COO has explained that the launch could take place this fall, most likely before the holiday season.
Of course, such affordable devices are clearly supposed to compete with cheap Android tablets, which are still gaining ground despite all efforts made by Microsoft. It remains to be seen, however, if users agree to buy a Chinese tablet running Windows 8.1 instead of an Android one designed by a more famous company.
More to come on this in the coming months, as Microsoft is also said to be tweaking Windows licensing fees for OEMs, with devices expected to hit the market with prices below $250 likely to get a free version of the operating system.