Windows 8 RTM in First Week of August, General Availability in October
Windows 8 RTM in First Week of August, General Availability in October
The Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (MWPC) is ongoing in Toronto at the moment, and during the opening keynote, Tami Reller from the Windows team has revealed that Windows 8 will reach RTM (release to manufacturing) stage in the first week of August, and will be generally available to users in October.
According to a post on the Windows Server Blog, Windows Server 2012 will also reach RTM stage in the first week of August, with general availability in September.
According to Reller, Windows 8 devices are expected in ‘late October’ - we reckon this would also apply to the Microsoft Surface tablet for Windows RT. If so, the Surface tablet for Windows 8 Pro will be out in January 2013, as Microsoft has said during the Surface’s announcement that the Intel-based Surface will arrive around 90 days after its ARM-based sibling.
To entice customers to use Windows 8, the Redmond company has previously announced a S$17.99 Windows Upgrade Offer for new Windows 7 PCs, as well as a US$39.99 upgrade pricing for current Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 users.
Source: WPC 2012 Livestream, Neowin, Windows Server Blog.