Microsoft officially released Windows 8 operating system

On the evening of October 25th, Microsoft held a press conference today in New York, USA, officially announced the listing of Windows 8, users upgrading from the existing operating system to Windows 8 need to pay $ 39.99 (China 248 yuan).

Publishing Windows 8 Operating System

For those who are familiar with Windows, the revision of Windows 8 is not radical. The new interface of the product is mainly touch screen design, using Windows UI, and removed the "start" button, start menu, Windows desktop gadget and other functions that have always existed in the original Windows operating system.

Stephen, President of Microsoft's Global Windows and Windows Live Business Unit. Steven Sinofsky said at the meeting that there are currently 16 million devices pre-installed with Windows 8.

Sinowski said that before the official launch, Windows 8 has passed 1.24 billion. After hours of testing, the new system has been improved in many ways, with better endurance, faster startup, less memory, and compatibility with the software and hardware supported by Windows 7.

Sinowski said that the new version of Windows 8 is designed for keyboard and mouse operation, but is compatible with touch. He revealed that more than 1,000 models of PCs have been licensed for Windows 8, and some products are priced below $300.

Sinowski also revealed that the Windows Store, a major highlight of the Windows 8 system, has been launched in 231 markets worldwide.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said that Windows 8 systems will have 670 million potential upgrade users and up to 400 million new user increments per year.

Chinese users can upgrade 248 yuan Win 8

Microsoft China Online Store has updated this morning, announcing that Chinese users can pay 248 yuan to upgrade from the existing system to Windows 8 Professional. Microsoft China has not announced a more specific Windows 8 sales price.

Microsoft China said that this promotion has a time limit. This offer is limited to five upgrade licenses per customer from October 26, 2012 to January 31, 2013. To install Windows 8 Pro, customers must be running Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista, or Windows 7.

As part of the pre-release global pre-release event for Windows 8, Microsoft demonstrated the latest Windows in Shanghai on October 23. 8 operating system. Ralph Haupter, chairman and CEO of Microsoft Greater China, said at the event, "China is an important opportunity for Microsoft to the global industry." ”

At the press conference in Shanghai, Microsoft demonstrated 52 hardware devices designed and optimized for Windows 8 from 15 Microsoft OEM partners. At the same time, it also showed some applications of the Chinese app store, including Sina Weibo, Gaode map, Meitu Xiuxiu and so on.

Bold changes are controversial

Microsoft gambles heavily on Windows 8, Microsoft CEO Steve. Steve Ballmer said in an interview with the media recently that Windows 95 is clearly the most important product of Microsoft in the past 20 years, but I think Windows 8 will obviously exceed it. ”

Microsoft hopes that Windows 8 will attract more users, especially mobile users, to regain market share that has been eroded by Apple and Google.

According to a recent survey by market research firm Forrester, Microsoft’s share of the global computing device operating system market has fallen from 70% four years ago to 30% today due to the impact of smartphones and tablets. Mainly due to the emergence of new operating systems, such as Google Android and Apple iOS.

Ballmer firmly believes that Windows 8 is a very good product and will definitely perform very well. However, there have been many voices of doubt in the market.

Matt of the US technology website BusinessInsider. Matt Rosoff tested the preview version of Windows 8 a few months ago, and he believes the design of the system is confusing and difficult to use.

The Associated Press also believes that the interface of this new system makes users feel puzzled. Salesforce.com CEO Mark. Marc Benioff even believes that "Windows 8 will become a Windows swan." ”

Many ordinary users who have experienced Windows 8 also feel uncomfortable. They often complain, how can't find the start button and the shutdown button, how to switch the interface ……

For the user, if you want to fully experience the Metro interface, users need to upgrade the existing hardware. Buy a computer with a touch screen; and if you stick to the existing hardware, it seems that there is no need to upgrade. Because the desktop version of Window 8 is almost the same as Window 7. (罗亮)