News - Microsoft Windows 8.1 pricing cut by 70% to low-cost device makers

[Splash]

But if I was in the market for a tablet, I think I'd probably plump for a longer-running ARM based device and that means Android.

Or Windows RT? Personally I'm keener on either iOS or Android on tablets, but for the opposite reason to most: I hate trying to do any kind of serious work on my tablet (and as such I'm not interested in Office etc) as I just can't get on without a proper, full-size keyboard. I'm probably in the minority though.

For taking a few notes or scribbles I'm quite happy with my iPad, and as such a cut in the cost of a low-end Windows (read: RT) tablet isn't likely to make much difference unless it can compete directly with Android. And even then... my 2 year old iPad will probably be in use for at least another couple of years.

[HalloweenJack]

I`ve rea that MS is going to use a version of android , with a `metro` like gui and no google branded apps?

[wasabi]

I can see it help fight back against Chromebooks and stop people abandoning low end laptops in favour of tablets. Convert me to being a Windows tablet user - not so much.

[Funkstar]

I just want an affordable Atom powered 2-in-1 tablet/laptop. Something like an Acer Iconia W5, but cheaper, and with the current generation Atom instead of last years.

[miniyazz]

I realise that the speed of uptake has not been ideal, but considering how good 7 was, it's pretty impressive that 25% of Steam users are on Win8 or 8.1 (although I don't understand why any of them are on 8 and not 8.1!).

Because the win 8 pro on TPB can't be upgraded to 8.1 through update

Or because their (genuine) Windows 8 falls to update with a non-specific error message and they don't feel the inclination to troubleshoot and redownload several gigabytes of update each time they want to retry.

[crossy]

Or Windows RT? Personally I'm keener on either iOS or Android on tablets, but for the opposite reason to most: I hate trying to do any kind of serious work on my tablet (and as such I'm not interested in Office etc) as I just can't get on without a proper, full-size keyboard. I'm probably in the minority though. For taking a few notes or scribbles I'm quite happy with my iPad, and as such a cut in the cost of a low-end Windows (read: RT) tablet isn't likely to make much difference unless it can compete directly with Android. And even then... my 2 year old iPad will probably be in use for at least another couple of years.

Not that interested in RT - mainly because it seems to be around the same price as Android and Apple gear, but those other two OS's have a LOT more apps available. RT, to me at least, is pretty much Office-on-the-go and that's about it.

At the risk of sounding like a stuck record I appreciate where you're coming from on the keyboard issue. That Windows tablets (Surface Pro etc) have USB keyboard/mouse support via their USB port is some place where I think Microsoft got it right and Apple got it totally wrong.

Then again, I'm a big fan of the Asus Transformer (Pad) series - still got an ancient TF101T and think it an effective design. Yes, you can get clip on (usually Bluetooth) keyboards for other tablets these days - but the fact that the Asus design not only supplies power, but also comes with extra port(s) is a major bonus. And another place where Asus score is that unlike the 3rd party addons, their keyboard has OS support. So you can use those familiar Windows edit shortcuts in whatever app you're using. Final parting shot being that because the Asus has a trackpad and USB, it also supports external mice out of the box. So, this makes the Asus the closest thing to an Android laptop imho.

[Splash]

Indeed. That said... if I want a laptop I'll use my ultrabook - I don't really see the requirement for a hybrid like the Transformer.

I only mentioned RT as it's also an option for an ARM device