It may soon be a lot cheaper for people to buy a new Windows 8-based touchscreen PC, according to a new rumor that"s being reported by the Wall Street Journal. The story, which cites unnamed sources, claims that Microsoft will cut the price for Windows 8 to PC OEMs to just $30 if the OS is being installed on a touchscreen PC.
The report claims that the previous price was $120, which means that PC OEMs will get a 75 percent price cut on Windows 8 on some of their systems. The Wall Street Journal also says that Microsoft is throwing in a free copy of Office 2013 for OEMs that sell tablets with screens less than 10.8 inches, such as such as Dell"s Latitude 10 tablet, shown above. Touchscreen PCs that are larger than 10.8 inches still get the $30 Windows 8 OS, but don"t get the free version of Office.
Digitimes is reporting a similar story today but says the price cut is actually down to $20 compared to between $80 and $90, which would still be a 75 percent discount. It adds that the price cut will go into effect in April or May, and will be reflected in the price of PCs that are sold in June, in order to get the back-to-school crowd.
A Microsoft spokesperson would not confirm or deny the price change rumors for Windows 8. However, Asus CEO Jerry Shen did seem to confirm at the company"s investor conference this week that Microsoft is making efforts to help OEMs sell more Windows 8 products.
Best Buy is in the middle of a promotion that is giving customers a $100 discount on all of their Windows 8 touchscreen PCs, with the exception of tablets such as Microsoft"s Surface products. Staples has also launched a program where people who buy a touchscreen Windows 8 PC can trade in their old PC and receive between $100 and $400 back in the mail.
Source: Wall Street Journal | Image via Dell