Almost everyone and their pet cats initially believed that Windows 8.1 could see an expedited release date, maybe this summer as Microsoft wanted to kickstart the PC industry with its new OS.
Now it appears that the software titan has picked a different launch date.
And this is a launch date that is very much in line with Redmond’s regular programming — October.
A report over at DigiTimes (they have been on bit of a roll today) claims that the final version of Windows 8.1 will hit store shelves in October. The cited sources, this time, are different, however. This time the story is citing ODMs (original design manufacturers).
The reason is that PC manufactures will actually start the production of Windows 8.1 notebooks in the middle of September in order to make sure that their devices are ready when the new operating system goes live in the next month.
And this is pretty standard going for Microsoft, if you think about it along these lines.
Plus, as Windows 8.1 is supposed to be an upgrade to Windows 8 deployed from the Windows Store, it make sense for the technology titan to give its current operating system more time to land itself on computers and devices before the upgrade comes flying in.
Previous speculation, obviously pointed to an August or September release date. An October is not overly far off from the latter. And it would give enough time to everyone to bring their new devices to the market well in time for the holiday shopping spree.
The software titan has already confirmed that a preview version of Windows 8.1 will be provided to the public once the BUILD developer conference gets underway next month — June 26 to be precise.
