14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has already made an official announcement on the availability of its new Windows 8 operating system, and it seems that retailers are gearing up for the release of the platform as well.
The next-generation operating system from the Redmond-based software giant is set to hit shelves on October 26th, 2012, both loaded on the new hardware and as a standalone product.
At the moment, those who would like to grab the platform as soon as it is made available can head over to Amazon to sign up for more info on when the retailer will start selling it.
Of course, Microsoft themselves will have the new OS available as well, and will also offer it as part of a special promotion for upgraders, at only $40 until January 2013.
“Microsoft Windows 8 is coming soon - everything that was great about Windows 7 is even better,” Amazon notes on its website. “Perfect for tablets, laptops, to PCs and large powerful all-in-ones.”
On August 1st, Microsoft announced that Windows 8 had been released to manufacturing, and that its partners were loading it on new devices set to hit shelves on October 26th.
The new OS is called Windows reimagined, and should push Microsoft’s platform to the tablet PC segment, greatly helped by the software gaint’s own such device, the Microsoft Surface.
Hardware partners have already expressed their concern on Microsoft’s plans for launching its own Windows hardware, yet both analysts and chip makers believe that it would in fact prove a great device for Windows 8.
As mentioned above, Microsoft will launch Windows 8 not only on new hardware, but also with support for existing PCs and mobile computers. It will offer it at only $15 for those who will purchase a new Windows 7 computer in the coming months.
The exact retail price tag for Windows 8 is yet unknown, the same as the platform’s retail packaging, although images with it have already emerged online.
