Windows 8 will be Microsoft's first operating system for desktop computers, tablets and smartphones. One of the features of many tablets and smartphones is their affordability, especially with the numerous available Android devices. Microsoft wants to compete with these by keeping the price of its operating system low. Rumour has it though, that Microsoft will not adjust its pricing strategy for Windows 8, meaning OEM manufacturers of tablets and smartphones will also have to pay between $80 (£51) and $90 (£58) for a Windows 8 license.
This makes a Windows 8 tablet more expensive than an Android tablet by definition, when equal hardware is used. The cheapest Windows 8 tablets will be priced around $550 (£355), while more luxurious models are priced more along the lines of $800 (£516) to $900 (£580). Compared to Apple's iPad and other high-end tablets, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab and ASUS Transformer Prime series, a Windows 8 tablet will be slightly more expensive.
Time will tell if using Windows 8 on a tablet or smartphone adds enough value to justify the higher costs.
