A question on Windows 8 & 8.1

[aemo77]

Serious question, I am in a heated debate.

Is Windows 8.1 an "update" for Windows 8, as Microsoft brands it?
Or is Windows 8.1 a different operating system from 8, as listed on most websites?

I won't post my rational or what I think personally, I am curious how other people view this.
There's a poll ontop, but a technical response would be better.

 

[Slavic]

From the point of internal build number used by developers, it's a next version:
6.0 = Windows Vista
6.1 = Windows 7
6.2 = Windows 8
6.3 = Windows 8.1
From user's point of view, it's more a service pack. The changes in UI (especially return of Start menu in 8.1) are noticeable, but the program compatibility is the same, drivers are the same. Changes and improvements in hardware support also exist, but most users unlikely notice them. The difference between 6.3 and 6.2 is much less than between 6.1 and 6.0.
From marketing point, it's an update because it is free for all users. Installation key of Windows 8 could be used to activate 8.1, long before the same was made possible for Windows 10. Compare: upgrade from Windows 98 to Windows 98 SR2 wasn't free, while upgrade from retail Windows XP to Windows XP SP3 was completely free; even if some version upgrades might be "promotionally free", they were time-limited.

As you see, it's more a terminological discussion. Join a point you prefer more.

 

[TechnoMage]

I won't take the poll, because I honestly don't know the answer. But I do know that Windows 8.0 was not well accepted by users at large. While 8.1 was.
I actually like Win-8.1, and I find it a good upgrade from Win-7.
As far as installation goes, it has a MUCH improved Driver Package over any ver. of Win-7, so it's much easier to install on older equipment.
In my latest experiment, installing 8.1, it installed the drivers for my NVIDEA video card and even my Epson ink jet printer.
So, I don't know just how it came to be, but I like it!