"Growth" on cheap laptops and tablets has recently begun Microsoft in cooperation with several manufacturers, circulating machines with its functionality which are for the first time sold so economically.
In fact, such new machines with Windows, which are cheaper than the previous low-cost models, can be found today in the Greek market, where 15,6-inch laptops are already available for around 280 euros and 8" tablets for 160 euros. However, in a few months there will be more affordable options in all countries, with laptops and tablets costing even less.
To make them economical Appliances ακόμη πιο… οικονομικές, η Microsoft ανακοίνωσε τον περασμένο Μάιο τα «Windows 8.1 με Bing», μια παραλλαγή του λειτουργικού της που προορίζεται αποκλειστικά για κατασκευαστές. Αν και το ποσό που χρεώνει η αμερικανική εταιρεία για τα «Windows 8.1 με Bing» παραμένει απόρρητο, το βέβαιο είναι πως κοστίζουν λιγότερο από τα Windows 8.1 και ότι αυτή η έκπτωση είναι ο πιο βασικός λόγος για τη φθηνότερη price of the devices.
Concerning functions of this version, the only difference from "regular" Windows is that it defaults to Microsoft's Bing search engine. An arrangement in which the user and define the "search engine" he wants.
Thus, the financial models already on store shelves are based on "Windows 8.1 with Bing", while it is still expected until Christmas time, with some taking advantage of this version for an even lower price.
Indicatively, the Toshiba presented in early September at the IFA exhibition in Berlin the Iconia Mini, an 7 inch tablet to be sold at 120 dollars, the Asus the 11,6'' portable EeeBook X205 at $199 and the Acer the 8'' Iconia Tab 8W tablet at $150. The first two will also come to Greece within the next quarter and, although their prices have not been announced, they will certainly be cheaper than what is currently on the market.
Of course, devices with "Windows 8.1 with Bing" have technical specifications that also keep costs low. For example, Iconia Mini comes with 1024 x 600 pixel resolution monitor, Intel Atom processor and memory RAM 1 GB, while the EeeBook X205 with the same CPU, RAM 2 GB and 1.366 x 768 pixel screen.
Therefore, although they do not aim to impress with their performance, they can meet the daily needs of the average user, while having 7,3 and 8 hours respectively.
Cheap machines like the one above are essentially Microsoft's "answer" to Android tablets and Chromebooks, affordable laptops from companies like Acer, Toshiba, Samsung and HP, which are based on Google's Chrome OS.
As far as tablets are concerned, to date Android products have been the only option in the low-cost category. Something that explains their great popularity in our country, where more than 70% of sales refer to devices under 200 euros.
On the other hand, even though Chromebooks are not officially circulating in Greece, they are gaining more territory on the other side of the Atlantic in specific categories of buyers, such as students and universities. The reason is that many of Chrome OS's features are based on an Internet connection, so expensive sub-systems are not needed and the price of laptops is in 200-300 dollars.
The next generation of Windows
Although Windows 8.1 with Bing, which is based on the latest version of Microsoft's operating system, is pre-installed on financial laptops, Microsoft is expected to present in a few days several of the improvements it has with Windows 9, the next generation "Of its software. This is illustrated by the invitation it sent last week to the US media for a press conference at 30 September in San Francisco on the "Future of Windows," as he says.
The invitation confirms the reports of The Verge and ZDNet technology, which already last month reported that Microsoft will give a preview of Windows 9 at the end of September, presenting a pilot version of its next operating system. This version will be available to developers immediately after the presentation, while Windows 9 will be released to the general public in the spring of 2015. The goal of the US company is to give users the opportunity to experience the new features they have developed and the upcoming changes in the graphics environment.
Source: kathimerini.gr
