Windows 8 Laptop: Curtains Raise On New Devices As Microsoft, Acer Rush To Hold The Excitement Till Oct 26

Even before Microsoft could officially launch the Windows 8 OS Oct.26, Home Shopping Network (HSN), seems to have been in a tearing hurry as it promoted five laptops Oct.7, with a special offer on two new Gateway notebook PCs with Windows 8 pre-installed.

Apparently, a customer representative confirmed to ZDNet that all models were in stock and could be shipped immediately when ordered.

However, once news of Windows 8 laptop availability on Home Shopping Network online portal HSN.com, spread like wildfire, Microsoft and Acer rushed into a damage control mode to hold the excitement till the official launch date and made the retailer remove the promoted devices from the e-commerce portal.

Responding to the news that the device promoted was a 64-bit Windows 8 base edition and not Windows 8 Pro, Microsoft Spokesperson told ZDNet stating: "Unfortunately, HSN made this offer without the support or authorization of Microsoft. Microsoft and major retailers are getting ready for general availability of Windows 8 devices on Oct.26, and not prior to that date. Once Microsoft learned of the HSN promotion, we contacted them and asked that they discontinue the on-air and online offer since it is not yet Oct.26, the date that marks the official availability of Windows 8."

An e-mailed statement from Peter Han, vice president, US OEM, Microsoft to ZDNet, contained a quote from Scott Ledterman, vice president, US Consumer, Acer, that read: "We are excited to support Windows 8 with great Acer and Gateway offerings starting Oct.26, but this HSN offer came prematurely and we've requested its immediate removal."

Apparently, a Gateway model powered by Core i5 CPU carried the Windows 8 logo on the keyboard.

And ever since the published report was devoured with great fetish, HSN seems to have realized its mistake and removed the contentious models from its online portal as search for any of the five models leads to a new page that states the products are sold out and no longer available.