Tech: Microsoft to cut price of Windows 8/Office to improve sales?

RastaMentality

WSJ: Microsoft Offers Price Breaks
Discounts on Windows 8 and Office Designed to Spur More Touch-Screen Laptops

Quote:

It may soon be a lot cheaper for people to buy a new Windows 8-based touchscreen PC, according to a new rumor that's being reported by the Wall Street Journal. The story, which cites unnamed sources, claims that Microsoft will cut the price for Windows 8 to PC OEMs to just $30 if the OS is being installed on a touchscreen PC.

The report claims that the previous price was $120, which means that PC OEMs will get a 75 percent price cut on Windows 8 on some of their systems. The Wall Street Journal also says that Microsoft is throwing in a free copy of Office 2013 for OEMs that sell tablets with screens less than 10.8 inches, such as such as Dell's Latitude 10 tablet, shown above. Touchscreen PCs that are larger than 10.8 inches still get the $30 Windows 8 OS, but don't get the free version of Office.

Digitimes is reporting a similar story today but says the price cut is actually down to $20 compared to between $80 and $90, which would still be a 75 percent discount. It adds that the price cut will go into effect in April or May, and will be reflected in the price of PCs that are sold in June, in order to get the back-to-school crowd.

A Microsoft spokesperson would not confirm or deny the price change rumors for Windows 8. However, Asus CEO Jerry Shen did seem to confirm at the company's investor conference this week that Microsoft is making efforts to help OEMs sell more Windows 8 products.

Best Buy is in the middle of a promotion that is giving customers a $100 discount on all of their Windows 8 touchscreen PCs, with the exception of tablets such as Microsoft's Surface products. Staples has also launched a program where people who buy a touchscreen Windows 8 PC can trade in their old PC and receive between $100 and $400 back in the mail.

http://www.neowin.net/news/rumor-mic...medium=twitter

Quote:

Windows 8, a major technology departure from earlier Microsoft operating systems, is regarded as a high-stakes response to one of the biggest threats the company has faced in years—the shift in spending toward touch-based smartphones and PCs whose software is largely dictated by Apple Inc. AAPL +2.57% and Google Inc. GOOG +2.04%

Sales of tablets, led by Apple's iPad, have been a particular problem for Microsoft and PC makers that use its software, having all but killed off a class of small, inexpensive laptops called netbooks that were popular several years ago.

Meanwhile, tablets powered by Google's Android software are also increasing in popularity, and the company has been pushing clamshell-style hardware using another operating system called Chrome that is related to the company's Web browser software. Those devices, called Chromebooks, haven't had much impact so far but are a potential long-term threat to the profits Microsoft makes from conventional laptops.

Like Android, which Google gives away free, Chrome's main draw is that it is cheap. Currently, the $249 Samsung Chromebook is the most popular clamshell-style computer listed on Amazon.com AMZN +0.90% .

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/...jEwNDYyWj.html

Haus

They really want touchscreen laptops to happen

I can't see the point in using a touchscreen when you have a trackpad and keyboard unless the screen detaches into a tablet, which not all of them do. I guess just because Windows 8 is practically pointless unless you have a touchscreen...

Witchpop

Quote:

Originally posted by Haus

They really want touchscreen laptops to happen

I can't see the point in using a touchscreen when you have a trackpad and keyboard unless the screen detaches into a tablet, which not all of them do. I guess just because Windows 8 is practically pointless unless you have a touchscreen...

You didn't lie at all. Ugh Microsoft keeps trying it.

Kleine

Their software is overpriced anyways.

jomarr

Quote:

Originally posted by kidfromurmemory

You didn't lie at all. Ugh Microsoft keeps trying it.

How do they try it? The resource speaker in our training uses windows 8 with ease. I am now jealous

Optimus

Windows 8 is horrible. It's a flop tbh.

Witchpop

Quote:

Originally posted by jomarr

How do they try it? The resource speaker in our training uses windows 8 with ease. I am now jealous

Have you seen what it looks like

jomarr

Quote:

Originally posted by HeavyMetalLover.

Windows 8 is horrible. It's a flop tbh.

Didn't know 40 Million after a month is a flop.

And let me just remind all of you about the flop that is Windows XP. It's sales were initially abysmal but went on to be the most successful Windows update Microsoft has ever had.

People do not adapt to technology quickly. It took time for XP and same will be done with 8.

Vista flopped because it was quickly discontinued and 7 is turning out to be very successful overtime

jomarr

Quote:

Originally posted by kidfromurmemory

Have you seen what it looks like

No I haven't. I listened to our resource speaker's laptop

johnrm

Windows 8 is not enjoying if you're not using touch screen such horrible!