14 DAY TRIAL // This year, we should see the first Windows 8 tablet PCs hitting the market, though it appears they won’t be cheap.
Recent reports suggest that they might be priced at over $600 (475 Euros) when made available. The most expensive of them will cost $900 (710 Euros).
A recent article on DigiTimes suggests that the high price tag is the result of high hardware and software quotes.
The Windows 8 tablet PCs expected this year are all powered by Intel chips. Apparently, both Microsoft and Intel are keen on maintaining high prices for their products.
As a result, the Windows 8 tablets set to hit shelves this year might actually be more expensive than thought. Windows 8 tablet PCs expected to arrive on shelves next year with ARM chips inside might be cheaper.
To make Windows 8 successful, Microsoft needs to ensure that devices running under it are affordable enough to reach a wider range of people.
This is true especially when it comes to tablet PCs. Users who are looking to purchase tablet PCs are interested in receiving great performance at low costs. Many of today’s Android tablets can deliver that, and Windows 8 will have to compete against them.
Of course, there is a great advantage to take into consideration when it comes to purchasing a Windows 8 device featuring Intel (or AMD) architecture, namely support for legacy applications.
Thus, with Intel’s Clover Trail chipset inside and Windows 8 on board, tabled PCs set to arrive in fall might prove successful even when priced in the $600 - $900 range. What remains to be seen is how Windows 8 ARM devices will be priced when compared to them.
For the time being, however, no official confirmation on this has emerged, and we’ll take the info with a grain of salt. However, with Windows 8 rumored to be set for an October release and with Intel’s Clover Trail CPU confirmed for availability around the same time, expect more info on this to emerge soon.