Friday, October 12th 2012

Windows 8 Pricing Revealed

by
btarunr
 Discuss (58 Comments)
Microsoft's biggest launch of the year, Windows 8, may be under two weeks away, but there are still a couple of things Redmond managed to keep secret despite consumers getting a fair look-and-feel of the new operating system with pre-launch Consumer Previews. A large volume of Windows licenses are sold through hardware vendors, where the operating system is sold pre-installed on PCs and notebooks. The rest is sold as packaged software, through conventional retail channels.

As packaged software, the two variants of Windows 8 (Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro) will be available as upgrade and full-version. The upgrade package lets you move from an existing installation of Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7, to the new OS. The Windows 8 Pro Upgrade is listed at an introductory price of US $69.99. For the same price, you get Windows 8 Pro Pack, which is a card with a software key to Windows 8 Pro (any architecture), no installation media. The OEM (builder) packages of Windows 8 (standard), which includes a key and installation media is sold in 64-bit and 32-bit variants, each priced at $99.99. Lastly, there are similar 64-bit and 32-bit packages for Windows 8 Pro, each priced at $139.99. Newegg.com is accepting pre-orders.
Source: Engadget

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58 Comments on Windows 8 Pricing Revealed

#26
FordGT90Concept
"I go fast!1!11!1!"
I was hoping they'd sell it for less than Windows 7 but that was apparently wishful thinking. :(
Posted on Reply
#27
Solidstate89
OctaveanFor ~$40,......sold,.... I'd probably buy about ~3 licenses or more.
The restriction for the initial promotional pricing is 5 licenses per user. But I figure if you somehow ever do run into that hard limit you just get a buddy to order the licenses for you. Or order using a different credit/debit card or something. I'm not sure how they enforce that limit of theirs but it only exists for the promotional pricing period.
Posted on Reply
#28
THE_EGG
Add $50 for Australia :(

At least it would still be cheaper than windows 7. But I think I'll be sticking with windows 7 for a while yet.
Posted on Reply
#29
mediasorcerer
So whose going to bite the bullet and upgrade to win 8? Cant see the point for myself atm.

I use my screen for viewing and working on photos, vids, work and sometimes games, the last thing i want is finger marks all over it.

I know, i know, it's the future blah blah and all that, but meh, if it aint broke, dont fix it.
Posted on Reply
#30
epicfail
I'll be getting my free license of pro in the mail soon enough so ill have to try it.
Posted on Reply
#31
Nordic
Where is mailman proclaiming the holy epicness of windows 8
Posted on Reply
#32
NC37
What a ripoff, we don't even get an OS-tan.
Posted on Reply
#33
Perra
mediasorcererSo whose going to bite the bullet and upgrade to win 8? Cant see the point for myself atm.

I use my screen for viewing and working on photos, vids, work and sometimes games, the last thing i want is finger marks all over it.

I know, i know, it's the future blah blah and all that, but meh, if it aint broke, dont fix it.
I already have (through Dreamspark premium) and I don't have a touch screen, never will, I don't use metro either, and i never really used the start menu so for me Windows 8 is awesome. For me Win8 is just like Win7 but better. :)
Posted on Reply
#34
MicroUnC
Linux Ubuntu 12.10 here :D :D :D
Posted on Reply
#37
Prima.Vera
Isn't 32 bit Windows dead yet?!? Seriously, who the hell is still installing the 32 bit crap??
Posted on Reply
#38
seronx
You have three types of licenses:
Personal System Builder
Personal Upgrade
OEM System Builder

PSB the key is yours forever and you can install it on any computer. Microsoft support will only support the first install every other install is your own support and guidance.
PU the key is yours forever and you can install it on any computer that is upgradable. Microsoft support will only support the first install every other install is your own support and guidance.
OEMSB the key is the OEMs and computers and you can only have it on the computer that was given to you. Microsoft support will only support the OEM and the first install but if the OEM gives you the System Builder OS it goes under the PSB license. In the case that the OEM does give it to you they are not legally bound to give you any support OS wise.
Posted on Reply
#39
tacosRcool
I'm on board with a $14.99 upgrade and the $69.99 upgrade
Posted on Reply
#40
Octavean
mediasorcererSo whose going to bite the bullet and upgrade to win 8? Cant see the point for myself atm.

I use my screen for viewing and working on photos, vids, work and sometimes games, the last thing i want is finger marks all over it.

I know, i know, it's the future blah blah and all that, but meh, if it aint broke, dont fix it.
I have an Asus Eee Slate EP121 Core i5 (quad thread 470UM 1.33GHz Turbo Boost up to 1.86GHz) based Windows 7 tablet PC. It came with a 64GB mSATA SSD, 4GB of RAM, a 12.1” 1280 x 800 multi-touch screen, a Wacom digitizer (pressure sensitive), Bluetooth, 802.11b/g/n wireless and more. Its a little old now but still very serviceable and fast.

I’ve been thinking about upgrading the mSATA SSD to 256GB and maybe the combo Bluetooth + WiFi card to 802.11b/g/n/ac.

However, I have already upgraded it to Windows 8 Pro RTM via my Microsoft Technet subscription. It works fairly well (not perfect but fairly good) and is indeed faster on the tablet then Windows 7 Home Premium was. In a lot of ways I find it easier to use too
Posted on Reply
#41
dir_d
What i need to know is if i can do a clean install on the pro upgrade like i was able to do with the win 7 pro upgrade.
Posted on Reply
#42
Covert_Death
dir_dWhat i need to know is if i can do a clean install on the pro upgrade like i was able to do with the win 7 pro upgrade.
this x 1000

call me OCD but i ONLY do clean installs....
Posted on Reply
#43
Solidstate89
dir_dWhat i need to know is if i can do a clean install on the pro upgrade like i was able to do with the win 7 pro upgrade.
Yes, you can do a clean install. I'm not sure why you would think you couldn't.
punisher186Windows is not free software, RMS would be ashamed of all of you.

GNU/STALLMANQUEST - YouTube
Stallman and the entire FSF can go suck a chode.
mediasorcererSo whose going to bite the bullet and upgrade to win 8? Cant see the point for myself atm.

I use my screen for viewing and working on photos, vids, work and sometimes games, the last thing i want is finger marks all over it.

I know, i know, it's the future blah blah and all that, but meh, if it aint broke, dont fix it.
I plan on purchasing at least two upgrades and I definitely plan on using it on my desktop. You do realize you're not required to use with a touchscreen, right? You still have a full desktop available to you? It doesn't automagically transform your current monitor into a touchscreen and force you into using Metro apps. Such a silly notion you have. :rolleyes:

Hell, I'm still deciding what to do for network storage. Whether I want to go with a Synology NAS, or build my own full fledged server with the ability to do real-time Transcoding via Plex. And if I do go with the server, I don't know whether to go with the older (but much cheaper) WHS 2011, or go with Windows 8 Server 2012 Essentials - because it looks damn nice from all the reviews I've read and seen. Decisions, decisions.
Posted on Reply
#45
btarunr
Editor & Senior Moderator
lZKoceHow does this "Pro Pack" works? I get only a dvd-key? But where do I get the windows from?- surely not from torrents. It looks a viable option to me. Can someone shed some light on it for me pls?
Microsoft doesn't care where you get the installation media from, it's the license to use the software that's on sale. "Pro Pack" comes in handy if you have multiple PCs. Buy just one retail pack (which has the install media), use the same media on those multiple PCs, with a Pro Pack unique key per PC.

Personally, I plan to get the *.iso for Windows 8 Pro from the internet, and use a Pro Pack to activate it. It's 100% legal and ethical.
Posted on Reply
#46
Random Murderer
The Anti-Midas
So what's the big deal with Win8? Why is Microsoft hyping it so much(other than greed)?
AFAIK, 8 offers no new DirectX or features(for desktop), it's simply a facelift.
Posted on Reply
#47
erixx
not at all ^^
Read technet about w8

Anyways, the none-pro crowds can install Media Center for free from the Options. (I see this question coming :)
Posted on Reply
#48
3870x2
xkcheNot bad :) same price of Win7.
I would hope so. This is windows 7. For $69 you are paying for a Tablet GUI, not an upgrade.

For previous windows 7 owners, this should be free, or $20 with support.

The pricing is great for a new operating system though.
Posted on Reply
#49
Covert_Death
3870x2I would hope so. This is windows 7. For $69 you are paying for a Tablet GUI, not an upgrade.

For previous windows 7 owners, this should be free, or $20 with support.

The pricing is great for a new operating system though.
lol its not win7 at all... i fail to see why people keep making this comparison, it is a HUGE upgrade under the hood not simply a facelift. look at boot times! good luck ever getting win7 to boot in 7 seconds and the performance improvements is a long list to go over

this truly is an upgrade, with a crappy UI
Posted on Reply
#50
Drone
Covert_Deathholy crap affordable prices!

maybe fewer pirates now
No. Affordable prices don't reduce piracy.
Posted on Reply
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