Windows 8 PCs will come in October

Computers running on the upcoming version of Microsoft's Windows OS will go on sale in October. Microsoft publicized the time frame for Windows 8's mass-market release Monday in Toronto. A particular sales date in October was not provided. 

Most industry analysts expected Windows 8 may go on sale in the fall to ensure that the machines running on the operating system would be offered for the holiday shopping season. Consumers and businesses who do not want to buy new computers will be able to purchase Windows 8 and upgrade their computers. 

Latest editions of Windows typically come out every 3 years, but this update is the most widely expected overhaul of the software since 1995. 

Applications will show in a mosaic of tiles on Windows 8. Microsoft also designed the operating system so it can run on personal computers or touch-based tablet computers. Microsoft, which is based in Redmond, Washington, plans to make its own tablet running on Windows 8 to compete against Apple's hot-selling iPad. The company has not yet announced a price for its tablet, which will be called the Surface. It also will be opposing against a variety of other tablets, including the Kindle Fire from Amazon.com and the Nexus 7, which is being released later this month by Google. 

As part of its efforts to build up more touch-based software, Microsoft also announced the gaining of sensitive Pixel. The agreement gives Microsoft access to technology used in large multi-touch displays for TV broadcasters, as well as government, defense, engineering and educational markets, Microsoft said.

Terms of the Perceptive Pixel purchase were not revealed.