14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 8.1 Update 1 will bring quite a lot of changes for users who have already made the switch to Microsoft’s modern platform, but it’s also supposed to come in handy for manufacturers who were planning to install it on low-cost hardware.
Microsoft confirmed in a statement that Windows 8.1 Update 1 would come with lower hardware requirements, most likely in another attempt to bring more devices to the market and make the modern operating system available to more users.
“We’ll enable our partners to build lower cost hardware for a great Windows experience at highly competitive price points,” Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore said.
Even though it’s going to be tweaked in such a way that it’ll work on low-cost hardware too, Windows 8.1 Update 1 will provide the same features on all devices, which means that it shall work just fine no matter if you install it on a Surface Pro or on a sub-$250 (€182) tablet.
“We shipped Windows 8.1 in under a year in response to customer and partner feedback, and we’ll continue to refine and improve Windows to deliver a productive and delightful experience for all users on all devices. And, you’ll see us continue on a more rapid release cadence where we deliver ongoing value to all your Windows devices,” Belfiore said.
Windows 8.1 Update 1 is projected to launch in April, according to people familiar with the matter, but Microsoft hasn’t yet unveiled an official release date.
It’s believed however that Update 1 will be first presented to users at the BUILD 2014 developer conference in April, while the company will start shipping it to everyone running Windows 8.1 a few days later, on April 8, when it also releases the monthly Patch Tuesday updates supposed to fix flaws in its products.