Windows to be FREE on devices under 9"

[LinusTech]

 

Original Article: http://www.theverge.com/2014/4/2/5574146/microsoft-making-windows-free-on-devices-with-screens-under-nine/in/5338899

 

Build 2014 has been full of all kinds of amazing news, and I apologize in advance if someone posted this already, but to me this is one of the biggest things at the event. It's not the first time they've done something smililar - Netbooks were given discounted Windows XP licenses when cheap Linux netbooks started popping up all over the place, but netbooks restricted how big the screen could be as well as how high spec'ed the machine could be.

 

Now, we get 9" screens with full Windows compatibilty.

 

Count me in.

[Shd0w2]

DANGIT! I need to make my computer 9 inches now

[CCap]

Hurray free windows on platforms that can't fully optimize windows!  (generally speaking; there are exceptions to everything)

 

Besides, presumably this would only be on tablets and other mobile platforms-- why would they not just be using android? I'm pumped that windows is starting to be a little bit more open, yet, I still don't think this is usable to most people out there. 

 

There's my $0.02

[Jobobee]

Wow... That sounds amazing, good move Microsoft!!! It'll be interesting to see what appears on the market now.

[Bluejay0]

Well this is just fantastic...

[MegaDave91]

My "device" (wink wink) isn't under 9", so I guess this doesn't apply to me. 

[StingBull]

How free is it? Is it totally free, or with advertisements?

[DoubleY]

My "device" (wink wink) isn't under 9", so I guess this doesn't apply to me. 

I see what you did there

[Rekx]

Microsoft has made some good decisions lately. Good job Microsoft :-)

[Tassadar]

Nelson has had a really positive start at the company

[Mbarton]

you think a post by linus would have people all over it.lol i think this is just the start of windows being devalued which means that microsoft certificate is being devalued as well.

[Naruke Alpha]

Seems a legit move... will have to wait and see what happens now,

 

Microsoft did the play, now can they go for more and make it more than just a move.

[Misanthrope]

Yeah but which version? A fully featured one or another, gimped fucking version like that RT one? Or the "basic" or whatever that didn't even let you change wallpapers?

If it's just mobiles and tablets they'd have to do a lot better than that to compete with Android's "less than free" approach.

[vslavov]

Cheap 8" windows tablets? Consider me sold.

[old reece frost]

Buying a cheap tablet now = my windows license. 

[LAwLz]

Is it Windows RT or Windows 8? If it's Windows RT then I couldn't care less. If it's Windows 8 then this is good news (unless they decide to gimp it like they did with Windows 7 starter).

[ShotDC]

I think that this its the beginning of something

[elkenrod]

I think that this its the beginning of something

 

It's the beginning of the end!  The Windows brand is in real trouble.

[xXxYOLOxSWAGxXx_420BlazeIt]

I think that this its the beginning of something

Yeah, its a pretty desperate move for Microsoft to make.

 

There is NO way it is going to replace Linux/Android on mobile.

[AlexGoesHigh]

Nelson has had a really positive start at the company

you mean nadela also i wonder if this aplies to win 8 tablets or just WP and winRT?

[Ryan Leech]

Yes please. Windows "Starter" was a stupid concept from the beginning

[flibberdipper]

Nice try, Microsoft.

[Ghost]

At least they are promoting windows tablets. Shame they didn't say 10.1" and under. That was probably very deliberate.

[Sharif]

must buy 9 inch monitor   

[Murdoch]

They're taking steps to be relevant in the portable consumer market. And steps in the right direction.

 

Considering how Apple and Google have steam rolled them in that area. I'm glad they're taking steps to address that, and not just sitting back and doing nothing.