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(honest question) - Is windows 8.1 free if I have a (full, standalone) copy of XP or Vista, or only if I own Windows 8?

Mavericks appears to be free for people with Snow Leopard (at least, that's what I read).

Windows 8.1 is free if you bought Windows 8 or if Windows 8 or RT shipped on your computer/tablet.

Mavericks, on the other hand, is free if you have a Mac that supports it.

Wasn't your point but FYI it's free for Lion and up

8.1 is a smaller update than Mavericks, which is itself a smaller update than Win8 or Win7 (in terms of release schedule and scope, not judging quality or quantity of engineering). Apples and oranges, so to speak.

Unless you're interested in Metro (nobody), is there anything remotely interesting about 8.1? Mavericks has some impressive battery and performance improvements that anyone will be able to use.

I'd be mad if I had to pay for 8.1. I would've happily paid for Mavericks.