Notebooks featuring Microsoft's new Windows 8.1 (Windows Blue) will start volume production in mid-September with the official launch of the operating system estimated to be around late October, revealed sources from related ODMs.
However, the sources believe Windows 8.1 is unlikely to largely attract consumers into purchasing new PC products as there are already many third-party applications available to modify Windows 8's user interface and functions. Unless Microsoft is willing to further lower its new operating system prices, the sources believe the software is unlikely to have any major positive effect on consumer demand.
Although Microsoft is currently providing licensing subsidies on some Windows 8-based devices, the program is only available for products with display sizes of 11.6-inch and below, which is not helping notebook players to promote their Windows 8-based notebooks.
