Windows 8 tablets with free copy of Office 2013

Earlier today, we learned that Microsoft is adding Outlook 2013 free of charge to its lineup of Windows RT and office 2010 professional Surface RT tablets when the Windows 8.1 update opens up to the general public. But that is only some of the free software the organization intends to bundle. Microsoft will also be offering a free version of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013 using its "small" tablets. This news comes completely from Computex, via The Verge, where Microsoft has been holding Windows-related events. Unlike Outlook 2013, this bundle should be on a variety of Windows 8 tablets from different PC OEMs, instead of just RT tablets.

It's totally up to the OEMs whether they wish to bundle the Office package with their devices, so we aren't entirely sure who's likely to adopt this upgrade immediately. We all do know that the copy of Office 2013 is going to be free and it's likely to bundle with 7-inch and 8-inch Windows 8 tablets. The copy of Office 2013 will come complete with Excel, PowerPoint, Onenote, and Word. This really is welcome news for Windows tablet users who would like to be as productive when traveling as they are on their desktops at work and home. Unfortunately, there is no word on whether buy windows 7 will offer you a credit for individuals who have already purchased a small tablet.

This offering is probably due to Microsoft's recent attempt to offer discounts to OEMs. Rumor has it that most developers aren't adopting the Windows 8 platform due to the high retail cost of the OS and its counterparts. By providing developers specific discounts on its software, Microsoft may be trying to get more Windows 8 tablets to hit the marketplace (and become bought).

We've only seen one "small" Windows 8-based tablet aounced at this year's Computex to date. Acer unveiled its 8-inch Iconia W3, stating that it might ship with a copy of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2013. Let's hope we'll see some other small project 2016 professional based tablets before Computex involves a detailed, and that OEMs will require note of the cost-cutting that Microsoft is offering on its software.