Confirming what everyone already expected, Microsoft said on Monday that the code for Windows 8 should be final by early August, with the first PCs running the new operating system available by the end of October.
The company had already said that its goal was to hit the holidays, but Microsoft finally made the commitment to deliver it on Monday at its partner conference in Toronto.
Windows 8 is a huge bet for the company, which is counting on the revamped operating system to not only boost PC sales but also to help counter the iPad. The company is also being extra aggressive on pricing, allowing Windows 7 customers to upgrade to the new version for just $40.
Windows unit CFO and marketing head Tami Reller also noted on Monday that Microsoft has sold more than 630 million Windows 7 licenses, and that more than half of large-company desktops are running Windows 7. Microsoft needs lots of Windows 8 users quickly, in order to spur developers to write a new class of “Metro-style” apps that run only on Windows 8.
Microsoft first showed the look for Windows 8 at last year’s D9 conference, and then offered up a developer preview at its fall Build conference. A consumer preview version launched in February, with a near-final “release preview” issued last month.
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