Microsoft started dropping the first Windows 8 references as early as March 2009; yes, long before Windows 7 was finalized. And the next iteration of the Windows client and server operating systems are now taking shape in Redmond. The software giant already confirmed officially that Windows 8 client and Windows 8 Server are being developed in parallel. Just as it was the case for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Still, the company is mute on the evolution of Windows, including features, capabilities, the actual timetable, etc. The successor of Windows 7 is planned for availability within three years after the GA of its predecessor. Microsoft said it would impose such a rhythm after the release of Windows Vista, promising to never again repeat the gap between Windows XP and the delivery of the OS initially codenamed Longhorn. It took the software giant less than three years after Vista’s general availability to offer Windows 7 to customers around the world, and the same is valid for Windows 8. In this regard, Windows 8 is reportedly planned for release by mid-2012, some two years away. Mary-Jo Foley reveals that the planning stage for the platform has been already finalized, and that Microsoft already wrapped up the first Milestone for Windows 8. Some Softpedia readers might still remember that Windows 7 M1 (Milestone 1) was served to early adopters for testing at the end of 2007, with the first copies leaking as early as 2008, a year after Windows Vista hit store shelves. 150 million sold copies of Windows 7 later, we are now at a little after eight months since the latest major version of Windows was released, and almost a year since it RTM’d. Just the right time for Microsoft to start the actual coding for Windows 8. The company is bound to produce a few Milestone releases of Windows 8, before actually taking it to the next level, and producing the first Beta build. If Windows 7’s development process offers any clues, Windows 8 could hit Beta as early as mid-2011, a year from now. Of course, all reports related to Windows 8 need to be taken with a grain of salt, since no actual details were confirmed by Microsoft. Source: Softpedia
That is fast. Hopefuly they have some great ideas and features coming which is why it's coming so fast.
Do we really need another Windows version this soon? In my opinion, Microsoft would be better off trying to give that still pretty decent Windows XP userbase more reasons to move to 7. But yeah, perhaps time will allow for that since people do attend to buy new computers.
I was thinking that myself, it really does depend what key features Windows 8 will offer. I am more than happy with Windows 7 at the moment... saying that I was happy with Vista until I used the Windows 7 RC and realised just how much of an improvement it was.
I have 2 vista pc's in my house an XP desktop at my grans and no windows 7 yet so another OS will put me even further behind
I'm not too thrilled with the idea of this coming out so soon but I guess if they can make another big improvement gap like they did from Vista to 7 then it would probably be worth it but I don't think it'll be so great. Maybe they can actually prevent 8 from being cracked (massive amounts of sarcasm).
It's also their support timeline that plays a big role here. Like stated above, Microsoft doesn't want to extend support for one or more products over and over again for various reasons, like what happened to Windows XP in 2003 after some major virusses were spread. They want to promise their schedules like originally intended, and Windows 7 has be be the version that will clear up that mess.. Thus, Microsoft releasing new versions doesn't cost you money, it's all your own choice. And Microsoft dropping mainstream and/or extended support doesn't make your Windows version useless. Basically, even if you haven't bought a new PC in 15 years, your Windows 95 version is still usefull, just not officially supported by Microsoft.
From what I've been reading about Windows 8 it's going to be all about the "cloud" and so far I'm not digging it. I've also read that Valve is working on a Steam client for Linux, if this is the case once Windows 8 is available, or support for Windows 7 stops, I'll more than likely switch to some version of Linux.
Haha indeed. If we could actually play the latest games on Linux, then there's little point left to spend money on such a monopolized operating system that is Windows. I really like working with Windows and it has served me well for years, but deep inside we know that open source is the fair way of software distribution.. It's only the compatibility with cool new games and programs that prevents me from switching to a Linux distribution. Emulation is already fixing some things, and if Steam came with good ported games like on Mac, then at least half of my currently favorite games is playable without Windows!