Windows Blue free for Win 8 users?

[Co-ords]

$$$$$$$$

[MikeChipshop Member]

I would have paid for them if his comment didn't exist,

But since you've made these comments using those resources, they now become part of the fold and thus cost you money.

[GarakObama]

It will cost money. They are charging for Media Center too. Microsoft needs to establish their new standard and to do that they have to let people know how it's going to be right off the bat.

[Pygmy_Hippo]

I think it will be free, adding functionality in much the same way that the Dashboard updates do for the 360. I think MS is starting to cotton on to the free/low-priced OS driving users to paid content in the Marketplace and making their money there.

However, if it isn't then they are being more than a bit daft ;)

[Sadelwo]

If you purchase Windows 8 today, it will be free,and it includes a 6 pack of beer and a hooker.

And that is how Windows 8 became the most beloved Windows of all time boys and girls.

[Scorbing]

Just wondering before I officially purchase Windows 8 is Blue going to be a free update/service pack? If not I find it a bit ridiculous.

It better be free.

[Dot Matrix]

Considering many licenses have been purchased for future use by many (including for business use by the U.S. DoD), I do not see Windows "Blue" being a paid for upgrade. Most likely it will be a feature and update pack that will bring much needed functionality to the OS. Businesses would not pay twice for the same OS, so why should consumers?

[Raa]

I find it unlikely...

[Livin in a box]

Where there's an easy way to make money, they'll do it. I can't see this being free, but I also can't see them charging over ?20 for it.

They didn't make Windows 8 cheaper for no reason if they didn't have some other way to make money back on it.

[+LogicalApex MVC]

Probably not. most likely you're seeing a shift from large expensive windows licenses to more frequent cheaper windows upgrade licenses, ala Apple (remember every Apple OS sold is an upgrade). which is also marked by the move away from boxed versions and only OEM versions and upgrades for sale.

So it probably won't be free, but it will be cheap.

As much as we seem do disagree, I have to agree with you here. All of the data is pointing to MS charging for this release. Every previous version of Windows, even the "odd ball" XP SP2, has had a SP release and they were never branded releases. Since MS is branding this release I'm confident this is being done to setup SP releases to be similar to OS X, as you mentioned, where they are cheap updates that users pay for.

For me, another reason to be angry at Windows 8, but I don't want to derail the thread.

[bigmehdi]

Microsoft would have to wait to see the public reaction for windows 8 (or just accept it :rolleyes: ) , to decide on the right "business strategy".

I won't be surprised if the blue thing is canceled.

Now they are doing intensive advertising, so that consumers think win 8 is the coolest thing on earth (would it work ? :rofl: ).

[Dashel]

They should as an olive branch to early adopters, especially if we have a corresponding WP7 device.

[DoomsDayMayan]

Your comment was.

No, it cost him time to write it.

[calimike]

How about $1 for update/upgrade to boost MS's stock, profit and finance?!

[contextfree]

Pricing usually isn't decided until closer to the release, anyway.