Microsoft announces 'spring' update for Windows 8.1 | The Verge

tbd if a de-tiled interface option and lower prices will be able to increase Windows PC and tablet sales momentum; maybe for under $250 and including an Office 2013 license (which is close to the price zone in which the Dell Venue 8 Pro, with full Windows 8 and Office Home and Student 2013, already competes)

"The spring update for Windows 8.1 will also allow OEMs to lower their specifications for devices. Belfiore says PC makers will be able to use just 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage in future Windows 8.1 devices, a change that will help bring lower price points. It's likely that these updates to Windows 8.1 are linked to recent OEM changes to lower license costs. A recent report suggests that Microsoft is lowering the cost of Windows 8.1 licenses by 70 percent for PC makers, specifically only for machines that retail under $250. Any hardware specification changes will obviously assist with that."

Microsoft announces 'spring' update for Windows 8.1 | The Verge