Windows 8 will likely go down in history as Microsoft’s shortest-lived major operating system. Windows 10 will be released less than 3 years after Windows 8 – and that has left many users wondering whether they should wait to upgrade.
Thinking of buying a new laptop? Want to upgrade Windows XP to Windows 8 and enjoy a modern experience? Then you’re probably asking yourself whether or not today is a good time to upgrade.
Well, I’m here to help. Here’s what you need to know about buying a new Windows 8 machine right now:
All Windows 8 Users Will Receive Windows 10 for Free
Microsoft has officially announced that all Windows 7 and Windows 8 users will receive Windows 10 for free immediately after it’s released.
There’s no catch: you get a free upgrade to Windows 10 if you choose to upgrade to the new OS. Microsoft is, however, capping the offer to within one year of the release of Windows 10.
Let’s be clear: you can buy a Windows 8 PC today. Then, in summer of 2015, when Windows 10 is released, you’ll be able to instantly upgrade to Windows 10 – as long as you remember to do so within the year.
After you upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 8, you’ll have all the same rights as an average Windows 10 user who just bought the OS at retail: you’ll get all updates to Windows 10 forever.
When Will Windows 10 Will Be Released….?
Microsoft hasn’t announced a Windows 10 release date, nor has it given us any general idea of Windows 10’s release date.
Many optimists believe that Microsoft will release Windows 10 sometime in summer 2015 – right around the Build Developer’s conference. Last year, that conference took place in April. Microsoft hasn’t announced any dates for its 2015 conference yet, but these optimists are pegging a Windows 10 release for June, July, or August 2015.
More pragmatic Microsoft fans, however, are pointing towards October 2015 for the final release of Windows 10. Some people have even identified October 22, 2015 as the suspected release date.
That date has been chosen based on the following information:
-Windows 8.1 was released on October 17, 2013
-Windows 8 was released on October 26, 2012
-Windows 7 was released on October 22, 2009
-Windows Vista was released on January 20, 2007
-Windows XP was released on October 25, 2001
Vista was an outlier for so many reasons. But clearly, aside from Vista, Microsoft likes releasing its OSes in the “20s” of October. This year, October 22 is a Thursday.
Microsoft has traditionally chosen the end of the week as its preferred release date – possibly making it easier for businesses users to upgrade without compromising the productive start of the week. The last few OS updates have been released on Thursday or Saturday.
Why Wait?
Why would you wait for Windows 10 before you buy a new PC? Here are a few reasons:
-Because you’re trying to decide between Windows 10 and another OS, like Mac OS X, and want to wait to hear more about Windows 10’s features
-Because you’re holding out for better sales on Windows 10 devices
-Because your current computer is good enough to survive the 8-10 months until the release of Windows 10
Why Buy Today?
-There could be good discounts on Windows 8 tablets and computers over the next few months
-You need a new PC
-You want to upgrade to Windows 8 to enjoy the free Windows 10 upgrade offer (like if you’re currently using Windows XP, Windows Vista, or a pirated version of Windows)
I’ll leave the decision up to you. Basically, there’s no penalty in buying a Windows 8 PC today because in less than a year, you’ll be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free.
