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Microsoft To Release Low-Cost Windows 10 With Bing Branding

Posted by timothy on from the bring-banding-too dept.

jones_supa writes: Linux-based Chromebooks have experienced a huge growth in sales during the last couple of years, so much that Microsoft is getting nervous. The company is working with partners to bring cheaper devices to the market, and part of this plan is Windows 10 with Bing, a special version of the new operating system that would only be addressed to original equipment manufacturers. This low-price basic version of Windows comes with hardcoded Bing branding, although the search engine can be changed by the user. Microsoft wants Windows 10 to be installed on as many devices as possible, and the company's roadmap expects 1 billion PCs, tablets, and smartphones to be running it until 2017. The build for Raspberry Pi 2 is still in the works as well.

2 of 133 comments (clear)

  1. Before everyone jumps on the "Hatez the microsoft" by msobkow · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Before everyone jumps on this with their "Hatez the Microsoft" commentary, let me just point out that Android relies on exactly this kind of branding, except it's Google instead of Bing.

    --
    I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
  2. Re:Before everyone jumps on the "Hatez the microso by Jax+Omen · · Score: 5, Insightful

    And, you know, this isn't exactly big new news...

    Windows 8.1 with Bing has been around for a while.

    the important takeaway is that THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VERSIONS is that THE OEM cannot change the default search software prior to sale. THE END USER CAN CHANGE WHATEVER THEY WANT STILL.

    This is a good thing, anything that brings the price of the OS down for the average joe is a good thing. And maybe, if we're lucky, the Chromebooks will have to step up their game to compete with real Windows.