The next Windows 8.1 update may enable the operating system to run on smaller, cheaper tablets. The target release date for Windows 8.1 Update 1 is reportedly March 11, according to ZDNet‘s Mary Jo Foley, who suggests the update will further reduce the operating system’s memory and disk space requirements. That would enable the Windows 8.1 to run on cheaper hardware, which would be ideal for tablets targeted at schools or developing countries.

There’s nothing like ending the week with a few fresh Windows rumors. First up, the target release date for Windows 8.1 Update 1 — the relatively minor update coming to Windows 8.1 this spring — is allegedly March 11, according to one of my accurate and trusted sources. Yes, that’s a Patch Tuesday. Given that Microsoft will likely deliver Update 1 to Windows 8.1 users via Windows Update, this seems pretty believable to me. Windows leaker WZor previously indicated that Windows 8.1 Update 1would likely be released to manufacturing in March, but didn’t provide a specific date.