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Microsoft recently announced Windows 8.1 with Bing, a new SKU for OEM’s (meaning not available on store shelves) which is cheaper and comes with Bing set as the default search engine within Internet Explorer. Now, I’m not lying to you, but that is pretty much it. OEM’s are unable to change the default search provider, and in return they get Windows 8.1 for a little less than usual. Sounds like a done deal for low-cost device makers, right?
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Well, we’ve got access to Windows 8.1 with Bing, and we’ve made a super quick video demonstrating the differences. Like we’ve said above, the only difference is that Bing is set as the default search provider within Internet Explorer. Customers can change this once they’ve got their PC’s running, but the only difference here is that OEM’s are restricted from messing with the default search provider.
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Usually, OEM’s like Dell or HP would change the search provider to Google or a partner, but with this SKU they are not allowed to do that. This should help increase Bing usage within Windows. If you’re a tech enthusiast, you’ll notice that Windows 8.1 already has Bing set as the default search provider, so why would OEM’s use Windows 8.1 with Bing if Windows 8.1 standard and Pro comes with Bing as default?
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Look at it like this. Windows 8.1 standard and Pro are more expensive than Windows 8.1 with Bing. Also, OEM’s are ‘allowed’ to change the default search provider with the two normal SKU’s, but with Windows 8.1 with Bing, OEM’s aren’t allowed to do that. So, if OEM’s want to pay less for Windows, they have to sacrifice the default search providers.
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Check out the video below to see Windows 8.1 with Bing in action.
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