Windows 8 & Surface RT’s General Availability Expected on October 26, 2012

On September 18, 2012

Looks like Microsoft’s latest operating system Windows 8 and tablet Surface RT will be available to general public on October 26, 2012. According to Mary Jo Foley, Windows Phone 8 is expected to officially launch on October 29 and should become available for ordering within a week or two after that.

No official news on Windows Server 2012 general availability yet but it seems like it will be early 2013 before it becomes available. Then why is it called Windows Server 2012? Good question. Obviously, Microsoft expected to launch it in 2012, and may still do that. Frankly, I prefer that Microsoft takes it time and doesn’t release a half-baked product like it did with Exchange 2007 and Windows Vista.

If you recall, in June Microsoft announced an upgrade offer for people who have or will purchase Windows 7 PCs between June 2012 and January 2013. They will be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for only $14.99, which is essentially free. Frankly, this is a very generous offer. Microsoft also announced that people running Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 will be able to pay only $39.99 for an upgrade to Windows 8. Again, this is an incredible offer. Microsoft could easily charge more for an upgrade. Well, let’s put it this way, there is a reason why Microsoft’s operating system is on almost 95% of the computers in the world and Apple’s isn’t.