MSI Has the World's First Windows 8.1 Certified AIOs

News
By Jane McEntegart
published

MSI is preparing for the October update for Windows 8.

MSI has announced that its AE221/G and AE222/G are both Windows 8.1 certified. Though Windows 8.1 has yet to be officially launched, MSI is claiming that its machines are the world's first Windows 8.1 certified AIO PCs. Both run on Intel's 4th gen Core processors and feature optional Nvidia GeForce GT740M graphics.

Microsoft announced last week that Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1 had shipped to partners, which means the company is on track to deliver the updated platform in October. The company also admitted that it's breaking tradition by withholding the golden RTM bits until the actual October 18 release date. Prior to Windows 8.1, Microsoft typically released the bits early to MSDN, TechNet and its volume-license customers.

Microsoft hasn't discussed pricing for Windows 8.1. The update will be free for current Windows 8 customers, but Microsoft hasn't said how much it will cost for Windows 7 users and older. The company may re-introduce the $40 upgrade promotion for these customers sometime in mid-January 2014, though that's not confirmed yet either.

Follow Jane McEntegart @JaneMcEntegart. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.

Jane McEntegart
12 Comments Comment from the forums
  • rad666
    And still, almost no one cares.
    Reply
  • SteelCity1981
    talk to me when windows 9 comes out if they actually put a real start menu in, make an option to disable metro completely and give people an option to enable aero glass.
    Reply
  • silverblue
    In other words, back to Windows 7?
    Reply
  • back_by_demand
    I don't understand MSI, Jerry pisses and moans about Microsoft, but then push out the first 8" W8 tablet, first W8.1 AIO - but they are junk - instead of being first, maybe they should try being best instead
    Reply
  • Artureld
    Good, Windows 8.1 is a step in the right direction.
    Reply
  • Artureld
    Good, Windows 8.1 is a step in the right direction.
    Reply
  • ethanolson
    Something's fishy. How on earth could they get certified that quickly? I would assume somebody's standards are not high enough here.
    Reply
  • You mean Windows 8.F for Failure
    Reply
  • jowunger
    No other big software giant has so bad value for OS like Microsoft. Windows 8 for tablet is not even a real windows 8. Nope, so many features of it had to be thrown out because 'it slows tablet down to much if you would use a full windows 8'.

    Not viable, just as windows 8.x. The old trick with DirectX10 'only in vista' to attract buyers is not enough anymore. M$ advertises windows 8.x with a newer DirectX version which is not even available in tablet versions (of course a tablet has no directx but they still advertise it). That reminds me when M$ started to use low detail pictures in contrast to High resolution pics to 'falsely accuse directX9' to be much worse then directX10 in VISTA.

    I can not trust Microsoft. Will never.

    below from unknown source:

    Dear Microsoft,

    A bicycle is not a car.
    A desktop is not a tablet.
    Yours sincerely,

    The Universe (except Microsoft)
    Reply
  • Mark Dickinson
    I don't understand all the hate. I can understand if you didn't agree with mircosoft on windows 8. But This clearly a good upgrade from windows 8.0. I can understand that people arnt excited about the metro, not being optional, and feeling forced into it. But assuming you ignore it, and boot straight to desktop, and only use it to pick a app instead of the old start menu, is that really enough reason o be booing on he 8.1.
    Reply