14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft will launch the new Windows 8 next month on the 26th, but according to a Chinese website, the company is planning to cancel the retail package of the new operating system.
This is obviously highly unlikely, at least because no other source close to the company talked on the matter, but according to WPDang, the Redmond-based firm has almost made a decision.
Citing inside sources, the aforementioned site claims that users won't be able to buy a retail package of Windows 8, but instead there will be several other ways to get the new operating system.
For example, Windows 8 will be preinstalled on new computers, so just buy a new system and a genuine copy will be offered too. In addition, existing Windows 7 users may receive coupons from several retailers out there to move to Windows 8.
Last but not least, a genuine Windows XP, Vista or 7 grants you access to the online updating system, so simply use a credit card to buy the new OS. An update from XP or Vista costs $39.99, while a Windows 7 license key drops the price to $14.99.
As you can see, all these methods have one thing in common: they're performed via the Internet, which basically means lower production costs for Microsoft. While this pretty much makes sense, the company can also lose plenty of clients if no Internet connection is available.
Obviously, this is only a rumor for the time being and no Microsoft official has commented on the matter. And in case there's indeed some truth behind these rumors, Microsoft won't cancel retail packages worldwide, but only in China or in specific areas of the globe.