Microsoft announced this week that Windows 10 would be free for one year after launch as an upgrade for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users, but this is very unlikely to bring a significant increase in notebook sales.

A report published by Digitimes and citing its always anonymous “sources from the notebook supply chain” claims that the free Windows 10 upgrade offer is expected to come into effect in the third quarter of this year, after the public launch of the operating system in the fall of 2015.

The same report says that these sources do not see the free upgrade as a major catalyst for notebook sales and this particular market is not expected to benefit from this new strategy that Microsoft announced on Wednesday.

And the reason is as simple as it could be, the report claims. Buyers are no longer interested in notebooks and PCs, and most of them would rather buy a smartphone or a tablet.

And yet, Windows 10 tackles all these market segments, and in addition to PCs and notebooks, the new operating system will also be available on smartphones and tablets with features that will provide a similar experience across all devices.

Microsoft hasn't said anything about the release date of Windows 10, but sources familiar with Microsoft's plans previously hinted that RTM could be reached during the upcoming summer, before a possible debut in September or October. At first glance, October seems more likely because it comes exactly three years after the launch of Windows 8.