Windows 8 devices not cheap, will rival pricey Apple

With all the Windows 8 hoopla at Computex, it's easy to forget that Microsoft's next operating system isn't a price panacea for consumers. Acer Chairman JT Wang said Wednesday that the initial crop of Windows 8 devices will be pricey enough that they will be more suitable for "developed economies" like North America where "where purchasing power is strong," according to a report in Taipei-based DigiTimes.And that means they'll have to be competitive with anything Apple has on the market in the September-October time frame when Windows 8 is projected for release. A crush of new Windows 8 ultrabooks, hybrids, and tablets is expected at that time. "Windows 8 needs to be as successful as Apple in the higher-end of the PC market," Wang said. Apple is expected to refresh its MacBook line with a MacBook Air-like 15-inch model, among other models.The new MacBooks will likely have Retina-class displays and Intel's new "Ivy Bridge" silicon.Related storiesDual-screen Taichi leads lineup of unique Asus Windows 8 PCsComputex 2012: Acer Aspire S7 Ultrabook hands-onCNET Asia covers ComputexSamsung Series 5 Ultra ConvertibleComputex 2012: Qualcomm S4 tablet