Windows 8.1 price confirmed a month before official release

TagsWindows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows Vista, microsoft

Windows 8.1 screenshot. Credit:Microsoft / iTech Post

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Microsoft has confirmed the price of its upcoming Windows 8.1 operating system a month before the official release.

In the U.S., Windows 8.1 will be available to current Windows 8 customers as a free download from Oct. 18 onwards. Customers can download the latest operating system from Microsoft Store. However, customers using other versions of Windows operating system will have to buy Windows 8.1.   

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"Consumers who are not using a Windows 8 device will be able to buy Windows 8.1, either as a download from Windows.com or at your local store as a retail packaged DVD product. While pricing varies by market, in the U.S., Windows 8.1 will be available for $119.99 ERP (U.S.) and Windows 8.1 Pro will be available for $199.99 ERP (U.S.). The pricing and editions for Windows 8.1 are similar to what we have today for Windows 8," explains the company on its Windows Blog.

Microsoft released the Windows 8 as the successor to the Windows 7 operating system in Oct. 2012. The new operating system included major design changes, as well as a touch-optimized user interface (UI). However, Windows 8 also received criticism as the new interface was confusing and difficult to operate, especially when used with a keyboard and mouse instead of a touchscreen.

Customers will hope that the upcoming Windows 8.1 reduces confusion and brings improvements to the operating system.

Microsoft also confirms that Windows 7 PC's can be upgraded to Windows 8.1, which will bring along all the files, but will require you to reinstall desktop apps including Microsoft Office.

Unfortunately, Windows 8.1 is not designed for installation on devices running on either Windows XP or Windows Vista. If customers using Windows XP or Windows Vista still want to upgrade to Windows 8.1 then they will have to buy the "retail DVD instead of using the download and boot from the DVD to do a clean install of Windows 8.1." Files, settings and programs on the old operating system will not transfer, hence consumers will need to back up their files and settings.

If you buy a device which runs on Windows 8.1 you will be able to purchase the Windows 8.1 Pro Pack for $99.99 ERP (U.S.), which will also unlock some new features. If you are using Windows 8.1 Pro, you can buy Windows Media Center for $9.99 (U.S.). 

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Microsoft Surface 2 now official: 10.6-inch 1080p display, Tegra 4 processor, and more

Tagsmicrosoft, Surface 2

Microsoft Surface 2 Credit:Microsoft / iTech Post

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Microsoft has officially announced the Surface 2. The new tablet features a 10.6-inch full HD 1920 x 1080 display, Tegra 4 processor, Windows RT 8.1, and more.

The company's first-generation Surface was more of a failure than a success, but the company has decided to give it another try and launch a second-generation Surface 2. At first glance, the new Windows RT tablet looks a lot like its predecessor, but Microsoft has made some important changes that it hopes will make the Surface 2 a serious contender in the tablet market.

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One of the most welcomed changes the Surface 2 offers over the original is a higher-resolution 10.6-inch display. The new screen is full HD at 1920 x 1080 compared to the first-generation Surface's 1366 x 768 display. Microsoft is using the new Tegra 4 processor to power the Surface 2, it has also doubled the RAM by using 4GB of RAM, and the company claims that the new model should run three to four times faster than its predecessor. The new tablet also comes with a USB 3.0 port compared to the USB 2.0 port on the original model. Microsoft has been able to increase the battery life of the Surface 2 as well, and it says battery life is now 25 percent longer and should provide up to 10 hours of video playback.

The Surface 2's design is virtually identical to its predecessor, but Microsoft has tweaked it ever so slightly to make it more comfortable and functional.  It still comes with the very popular kickstand Microsoft debuted with the Surface RT and Surface Pro, but it's now a two-stage kickstand, which allows the user to choose which angle works best for them. It also makes using the Surface 2 on your lap an easier task, thanks to the new angle. The tablet's case is also thinner and lighter than the original, coming in at 8.99mm and 676g.

The Surface 2 will be available in two color choices, silver and black, though both options use a black bezel around the display. The new tablet comes in two configurations: 32GB for $449 and 64GB for $499. The Surface 2 will be available for pre-order through Microsoft's online store beginning Sept. 24 and will go on sale Oct. 22.

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