Microsoft Cuts Windows 8.1 Price by 70% to Counter Google

Microsoft is planning to cut Windows 8.1 price by up to 70 percent for manufacturers selling devices powered by its operating system in an attempt to counter the growth of rival platforms, including Google’s Chromebooks, a new report claims.

Bloomberg is writing, via unofficial sources, that OEMs will be charged only $15 for Windows 8.1 if they decide to install the operating system on a device that’s going to retail for less than $250.

Until now, manufacturers had to pay at least $50, but thanks to the new discount, partners will be allowed to purchase Windows 8.1 cheaper regardless of the size or type of device, the same report adds.

Read the rest here:Microsoft Cuts Windows 8.1 Price by 70% to Counter Google [Bloomberg]
 
I wonder how much the end user is going to benefit from that incentive!?
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavillion
  • PC2
    Tablet - Windows 10 Home
I wonder how much the end user is going to benefit from that incentive!?

I'm pessimistic.
Very little, I expect.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Gateway
    CPU
    AMD K140 Cores 2 Threads 2 Name AMD K140 Package Socket FT1 BGA Technology 40nm
    Motherboard
    Manufacturer Gateway Model SX2110G (P0)
    Memory
    Type DDR3 Size 8192 MBytes DRAM Frequency 532.3 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics
    Sound Card
    AMD High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio USB Audio Device
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Name 1950W on AMD Radeon HD 7310 Graphics Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x76
    Screen Resolution
    Current Resolution 1366x768 pixels Work Resolution 1366x768 pixels
    Hard Drives
    AMD K140
    Cores 2
    Threads 2
    Name AMD K140
    Package Socket FT1 BGA
    Technology 40nm
    Specification AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon HD Graphics
    Family F
    Extended Family 14
    Model 2
    Extended Model 2
    Stepping 0
    Revision ON-C0
    Instruction
    Browser
    Opera 24.0
    Antivirus
    Avast Internet Security
M$ is getting closer to FREE.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win7/8 Mint
    System Manufacturer/Model
    lenovo W530
    CPU
    intell i7
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16gb
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    512 gb ssd
    Other Info
    Around 13 million employes
How many of you guys are running computers that cost less than $250? I'm certainly not and that the requirement for OEM's to get this cheaper price.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I think the real story is that they charge OEM $50 only while skimming endusers. At $50 for everyone, piracy would almost die, and more people would switch to new OS. (I'm not commenting on the W8 GUI)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro 64
    CPU
    Core i3 3.3 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB 1600 MHz
    Hard Drives
    SSD Samsung 830 128 GB
My whole Win 8.1 set-up, desktop and led (non touch) monitor was a tad over $300. It is not fancy, believe me, but until I get the other computers where they need to be to get online, it is quite sufficient for my needs. I have stated in other forums, if you can tolerate Crazy Eight, you can get one heck of a deal on computers that nobody wants. But, as all Microsoft software, 8 really tops the cake as not playing well with others. ( And I am comparing 8 to 3.1 that did not like my PC-DOS and was a nightmare to get working side by side.)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    avast!
Gates' forecasting that his software was going to be free? Okay...I think he forgot that idea. Remember this, it is the computer manufacturers that are dropping the price of their machines to get rid of them. Microsoft already got the money thru OEMs, there was no cut if the preloads didn't sell. And also note, the cut only pertains to "devises" not "computers". Plus where is the cut if you buy the software?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Inspiron
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    avast!
I'm certainly not and that the requirement for OEM's to get this cheaper price.
Lost in translation?
What were you trying to say? :confused:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (64 bit), Linux Mint 18.3 MATE (64 bit)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    n/a
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II x6 1055T, 2.8 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASRock 880GMH-LE/USB3
    Memory
    8GB DDR3 1333 G-Skill Ares F3-1333C9D-8GAO (4GB x 2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD6450
    Sound Card
    Realtek?
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung S23B350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 1.5 TB (SATA), Western Digital 2 TB (SATA), Western Digital 3 TB (SATA)
    Case
    Tower
    Mouse
    Wired Optical
    Other Info
    Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 17 MATE (64 bit) - 2014-05-17
    Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 16 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-11-13
    Ubuntu 10.04 (64 bit) replaced with Linux Mint 14 MATE (64 bit) - 2013-01-14
    RAM & Graphics Card Upgraded - 2013-01-13
    Monitor Upgraded - 2012-04-20
    System Upgraded - 2011-05-21, 2010-07-14
    HDD Upgraded - 2010-08-11, 2011-08-24,
I'm certainly not and that the requirement for OEM's to get this cheaper price.
Lost in translation?
What were you trying to say? :confused:

this;
OEMs will be charged only $15 for Windows 8.1 if they decide to install the operating system on a device that’s going to retail for less than $250.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Curious if it will be a strange sku at that price.Very recent leak called Connected Core with Bing Edition :rolleyes:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Bejesus, if you could buy an OEM license for 15 dollars, I would buy a ton of them and install the Windows 8.1 on EVERYTHING, even my car.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Gates' forecasting that his software was going to be free? Okay...I think he forgot that idea. Remember this, it is the computer manufacturers that are dropping the price of their machines to get rid of them. Microsoft already got the money thru OEMs, there was no cut if the preloads didn't sell. And also note, the cut only pertains to "devises" not "computers". Plus where is the cut if you buy the software?

Getting closer to free, if you buy a machine with it.
There could be other factors, I suggest. for the drop in prices of computers. First and foremost is that the retail market is, in any case, saturated. If you just have a look at the daily input in, for example, this forum, it is obvious that, whilst many posts are attacks on Windows 8 and MS, most appear to be still prepared to make the sacrifice :)p)and continue to use it.
There is obviously , also a drop in price if it doesn't cost the retailers so much to pay for an operating system. It wasn't so long ago that the buyer had to pay separately for such, so I, anyway, consider it a bonus that I now pay less and get the goodies free.

The "bloat", as we call it, also provides more income at source, as it is paid for advertising . Hopefully this lessening of costs is also being passed on to the retailers.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Use several different computers during a day, so specs are irrelevant.
You realize that they can cut prices only because;
they have out-sourced everything to India (reducing costs), and Satya Nadella (also from India) who is replacing Ballmer as CEO, makes just slightly over minimum wage, saving them additional multi-millions of dollars.

Why they can, not only give it away, but could give you a $30 rebate check. Just teasing
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8,Win7,XP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    DIY. Acer ,iBuypower,Epson printer
    CPU
    i5, i3. AMD
    Motherboard
    all sorts
    Memory
    2 to 8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    different on all
    Sound Card
    on board
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung displays and TV's
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    14 in all
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    Hp, Logitech, Acer and MS
    Mouse
    Hp, Logitech, Acer and MS
    Internet Speed
    Comcast ( 30mbps average download, 5mbps upload)
    Browser
    Chrome, Firefox and IE 10 and 11
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Security Essentials, MalawareBytes and Kaspersky
    Other Info
    also have Apple iphones, AT&T and Tracfone services
Nothing new or unique with that. In this country, the most expensive in the world, work is farmed out to cheap labour countries. Several large concerns have even migrated there main workplaces to the same. - Still charge us the same though!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Use several different computers during a day, so specs are irrelevant.
No real question here is: how many of you are running legit Windows?

Mine (windows 8.1) is.

Lievre
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 pro with Media center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    intel
    CPU
    i5
    Motherboard
    intel
    Memory
    12 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia
    Sound Card
    intel
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 27 inches (2)
    Hard Drives
    a lot
    Browser
    firefox
    Antivirus
    none
No real question here is: how many of you are running legit Windows?

Mine (windows 8.1) is.

Lievre

Every piece of software and game that I have is legit. This includes my operating systems.

Of course, most of my software is open source. The only things I have purchased and use that is commercial is
-Sony Vegas movie studio
-paragon backup and recovery
-vmware workstation.
-Stardock Start8
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
No real question here is: how many of you are running legit Windows?

Mine (windows 8.1) is.

Lievre

Totally legit. For various reasons, I daren't step out of line. But it is a good question (for which you wont get a good answer.

I confess to applying the leaked 8.1.1. Couldn't resist.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Use several different computers during a day, so specs are irrelevant.
Totally legit. For various reasons, I daren't step out of line. But it is a good question (for which you wont get a good answer.

I confess to applying the leaked 8.1.1. Couldn't resist.

And if you check my answer or my question ... i just said my Windows is legit :p:(:p

Lievre
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 pro with Media center
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    intel
    CPU
    i5
    Motherboard
    intel
    Memory
    12 gig
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia
    Sound Card
    intel
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 27 inches (2)
    Hard Drives
    a lot
    Browser
    firefox
    Antivirus
    none
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