Windows 8 Tablets Hit eBay; Selling for $3,500

If you're just dying to see how Windows 8 looks on a tablet computer roughly a year before the upcoming operating system is available to most consumers, then you may want to click on over to auction site eBay. But, be warned: the prices are a little shocking.

Windows 8 was unveiled about 2 weeks ago at Microsoft's BUILD conference in Anaheim, California. As part of an attempt to woo developers to use the new operating system, Microsoft gave away a number of Windows 8 tablets to those who attended. The tablets run Windows 8 but the hardware is provided by Samsung. (Source: pcmag.com)

Free Windows 8 Tablets Up for Auction

Presumably, it's those lucky attendees who are selling the device on eBay right now for a rather astounding $3,500.

According to the most recent reports, there are at least four different types of Windows 8 tablets selling on eBay -- with the highest bids in the $2,000-plus area.

Beyond the four that are currently up for auction, it's reported that about a dozen have already sold since about mid September. Their final bids range from $1,800 to nearly $4,000, with the average being in the neighborhood of $2,850. (Source: computerworld.com)

Windows 8 Wildly Inflating Price

The value is entirely tied to the rarity of these devices. It has nothing to do with the hardware specifications associated with Samsung's hardware -- in short, this isn't a super tablet packing 8GB of RAM and 500GB hard drive. It's simply that, as far as we know, this is the only Windows 8 tablet out there right now.

Still, the Windows 8 Samsung device is relatively powerful, as far as current tablets go. It boasts an 11.6-inch screen, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and a x86 Intel Core i5 processor. In addition, there are also front as well as rear cameras, built-in 3G connectivity, and one year of service from AT&T. A similar Apple iPad system would run over $1,200.

Right now, it doesn't appear Microsoft is doing anything to stop the auctions.