zeroomegazx Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I am very confused with all the news on Windows 8.1. I am mainly concerned with whether 8.1 will be a *service pack* like update that we don't have to pay for or will it be like 98SE was... Personally I can't see Microsoft having the balls to put out another new version of Windows 1 year after 8 was released. Does anyone know which way its going to fall? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceelf Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I am very confused with all the news on Windows 8.1. I am mainly concerned with whether 8.1 will be a *service pack* like update that we don't have to pay for or will it be like 98SE was... Personally I can't see Microsoft having the balls to put out another new version of Windows 1 year after 8 was released. Does anyone know which way its going to fall? Windows Blue (8.1) is a free update. It could be a new product as far as the retailers and OEMs are concerned (I don't know) but everyone who has 8 is covered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Wanderer Chicken Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 According to Paul thurrrott it is going to be a big update! It would make zero sense if Microsoft released 8.1 as a new os and Windows 8 users would have to pay for it and upgrade their pcs again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
articuno1au Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Windows Blue (8.1) is a free update. It could be a new product as far as the retailers and OEMs are concerned (I don't know) but everyone who has 8 is covered. Traditionally MS don't slipstream Service Packs into retail releases. It'll be interesting to see if they do this time around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Warwagon MVC Posted May 1, 2013 MVC Share Posted May 1, 2013 It's going to be a big update to try to fix some things people hate about windows 8. Windows 9 will "Hopefully" be MUCH better. Though I'm not holding my breath. I hope metro (Modern UI) isn't the death of Microsoft. f0rk_b0mb and Arceles 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Wanderer Chicken Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 A lot of existing windows 8 customers would be angry if Microsoft released 8.1 as a another paid os. That would be very greedy if Microsoft did that. It would not just suck if Microsoft did this, it would really really suck. Paul Thurrott said that Windows 8.1 will be a enriched update. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchie64 Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 @zeroomegazx: You probably missed a bit on W8 news. MS is moving into the area of Apple, with yearly updates of the OS. So the 'old' way of releasing a new OS every 3 year or so, with service packs inbetween is going away. If this 8.1 update is a free update or not, nobody knows yet. Any speculation on this is just plain silly. We'll see it when it is officialy released. Personally I don't mind paying some money for it, but I can imagen a lot of you will go the "Hell... it;s broken now, so Im not gonna pay for the fixes"........ And Warwagon: MS is a HUGE company with different subsets that make a TON of money. Also, companies are only now slowly moving from XP to W7, maybe some to W8. A sudden death of MS isn't possible. Oh... they had great financial numbers despite all the negative stuff floatng on the web. Just sayng.... Stoffel 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceelf Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Traditionally MS don't slipstream Service Packs into retail releases. It'll be interesting to see if they do this time around. I could see either way. I'm not actually expecting the retail package to change, but if the reception to 8 is slower than expected they might. OEM builds I could definately see changing to 8.1 though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
articuno1au Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Depends on how you look at it. Most people don't ever pay for their OS directly. Those of us that did got in at the $40 price point. I personally wouldn't mind another $20 to upgrade. That having been said, I'd really rather not pay for an SP :\ I could see either way. I'm not actually expecting the retail package to change, but if the reception to 8 is slower than expected they might. OEM builds I could definately see changing to 8.1 though. OEMs definitely will include it. It's part of the EOEM licensing contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quillz Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Isn't it possible it could be a $29 update or something rather cheap, similar to Mac OS X? I would like it to be free, but I don't actually expect it to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Wanderer Chicken Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 @zeroomegazx: You probably missed a bit on W8 news. MS is moving into the area of Apple, with yearly updates of the OS. So the 'old' way of releasing a new OS every 3 year or so, with service packs inbetween is going away. If this 8.1 update is a free update or not, nobody knows yet. Any speculation on this is just plain silly. We'll see it when it is officialy released. Personally I don't mind paying some money for it, but I can imagen a lot of you will go the "Hell... it;s broken now, so Im not gonna pay for the fixes"........ And Warwagon: MS is a HUGE company with different subsets that make a TON of money. Also, companies are only now slowly moving from XP to W7, maybe some to W8. A sudden death of MS isn't possible. Oh... they had great financial numbers despite all the negative stuff floatng on the web. Just sayng.... By 8.1 being a full new os, that means the possibility of backing up files and reinstallling programs again. That would be crazy if ms did this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceelf Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Depends on how you look at it. Most people don't ever pay for their OS directly. Those of us that did got in at the $40 price point. I gotta say I put 8 on some older hardware (Turion 2 laptop with a 4250) and it is much better. The OS getting much more efficient could be causing problems with hardware sales. I won't hesitate to put it on the other machines in my house when I have the cash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
articuno1au Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Seven was the same >.< 8 is only marginally better in that regard. This is what amuses me about the people comparing 7->8. When 7 was released, there were no OS's from MS capable of handling multi-CPU systems well with all of the technological advances that had come through. People were using 10+ year old operating systems on hardware that was a million miles more advanced. Once 7 came out, it was as fast as XP, but made better use of the hardware. It's a no brainer update (which explains all the idiots still running XP ftr). With 8, there is no mandate to upgrade. 7 is still a great OS. It still does what people want it to do. The main area of growth in 8 in my experience is in the enthusiast and gaming markets. Steams hardware data reflects this. The Windows 8 uptake rate in their numbers is mind boggling. Either way, 8->8.1 will be an inplace update. There's no question it will be a new OS. The only question is will it be a sold update or a free update. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corvid19 Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 How ****ed off would you be if you had a device with Windows 8 installed and they released 8.1 as a new OS like 7 was to Vista. I thinks there would be line of people ready to throttle Balmer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quillz Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 How ****ed off would you be if you had a device with Windows 8 installed and they released 8.1 as a new OS like 7 was to Vista. I thinks there would be line of people ready to throttle Balmer. Windows 3.1 was a paid update to Windows 3.0. Even Windows 98 SE wasn't a free update. 8.1 might be a minor update, but I wouldn't be shocked at all if Microsoft charged money for it. I don't think they will, or it will be priced very cheaply, but Microsoft is not a charity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeroomegazx Posted May 1, 2013 Author Share Posted May 1, 2013 Thank you all very much for the responses! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neufuse Veteran Posted May 1, 2013 Veteran Share Posted May 1, 2013 According to Paul thurrrott it is going to be a big update! It would make zero sense if Microsoft released 8.1 as a new os and Windows 8 users would have to pay for it and upgrade their pcs again! maybe makes no sense to you, but to stock holders and marketing it makes tons of sense Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xendrome Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 It's not a service pack. So I would expect it to be an update for existing users and have the retail RTM of Windows 8 phased out in favor of Windows 8.1 on the retail shelves, at the same price as what Windows 8 RTM sold for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceelf Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Seven was the same >.< 8 is only marginally better in that regard. I disagree, it's noticable on lower end systems. On higher end you can't see the difference as easily, but that's not what I'm talkin about anyway. I agree with you that there's no need to upgrade, but this definately made me want to upgrade all my other boxes. We'll see if I actually can since my cash flow is...pathetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neufuse Veteran Posted May 1, 2013 Veteran Share Posted May 1, 2013 It's not a service pack. So I would expect it to be an update for existing users and have the retail RTM of Windows 8 phased out in favor of Windows 8.1 on the retail shelves, at the same price as what Windows 8 RTM sold for. yeah, this is definitely not a service pack too many big changes and feature additions to be a service pack by Microsoft's definition of one... This is more of a feature pack / service pack / minor version build upgrade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutchie64 Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 By 8.1 being a full new os, that means the possibility of backing up files and reinstallling programs again. That would be crazy if ms did this No, it will be something like an OSX update. A big update to the OS, but no need to reinstall the OS and all apps. yeah, this is definitely not a service pack too many big changes and feature additions to be a service pack by Microsoft's definition of one... This is more of a feature pack / service pack / minor version build upgrade Looking at where MS is going, servicepacks will be a thing of the past soon. If W8.1 is a service pack, a paid update or whatever, the old ways are gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stoffel Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 I still think MS will give this update away for free. I remember reading a while ago that they are updating the API's to the Metro environment too, so it makes sense they want everybody on that new one instead of having different versions of the OS floating around. So my guess, they will give it for free, and the retail versions in the stores will be the new 8.1 version No more Win 8.0 articuno1au 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corvid19 Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Windows 3.1 was a paid update to Windows 3.0. Even Windows 98 SE wasn't a free update. 8.1 might be a minor update, but I wouldn't be shocked at all if Microsoft charged money for it. I don't think they will, or it will be priced very cheaply, but Microsoft is not a charity. Agreed, But as a traditional desktop user I am so glad I wasn't an early adopter of Windows 8 (lame duck edition) Zephyro 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Wanderer Chicken Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Here is what I am certain Microsoft is going to do! Windows 8.1, will be a product key that you buy for $20 and insert it into add features to Windows. When it is inserted, it will install like the windows media pack! This makes the most sense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torrentthief Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 Traditionally MS don't slipstream Service Packs into retail releases. It'll be interesting to see if they do this time around. Actually they do: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/microsoft-windows-7-home-premium-64-bit-sp1-operating-system-single-oem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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