CES 2012 : Windows 8 Coming October 2012

Fresh out of a meeting with some very important people from Microsoft at CES 2012, the 'Head of Laptops' of a major tech firm told us that the firm planned to launch Windows 8 in mid-October 2012—a similar timing to Windows 7.

Sony has the only PCs on Windows 8 at CES 2012. They're under close guard too—no-one is allowed to touch them. Plus, the short demo of the OS in action uses the mouse and not the touchscreen controls—fail!

We can therefore probably expect to see the new Microsoft OS arrive sometime between October and Christmas 2012, in case Microsoft needs to iron out any last-minute bugs.

The coupon system used ahead of the Windows 7 release is likely to make a return under certain conditions too. In other words, about six months before the new OS is due for release, all new Windows 7 PCs will come with a coupon for a free upgrade to Windows 8 as soon as it's released. If the new Windows OS does get a confirmed release date for October, these coupons should start appearing in May 2012.

Basically:
- PCs bought between now and May will ship with Windows 7 and will stay on Windows 7, unless you choose to buy a new product licence.
- PCs bought from May onwards should, in theory, be eligible for a free upgrade to Microsoft Windows 8.


> CES 2012 Live from Las Vegas: See all news

> Buyer's Guides: Our Pick of The Best Products