Windows 8 Pre-Orders Start; $39.99 Download Option on October 26th
by Ryan Smith on October 15, 2012 12:10 PM ESTWith Windows 8 officially launching in under two weeks, Microsoft and its retail partners have finally begun taking pre-orders for Windows 8. As with prior Windows pre-order promotions, several retailers are participating, including a number of brick & mortar retailers along with e-tailers such as Newegg, Amazon, and even Microsoft’s own online store.
Microsoft will essentially be handling the launch of Windows 8 in two phases: pre-order and launch. The pre-order phase is primarily geared towards buyers looking for boxed copies of Windows and with delivery on the 26th; unsurprisingly these boxed copies are priced notably higher than Microsoft’s download options. As for buyers looking to take advantage of Microsoft’s previously announced $39.99 download offer, that promotion will not begin until the launch on the 26th when Windows 8 actually ships. On that note, as previously announced both the boxed and download copies will be offered with promotional pricing, with Microsoft and its partners selling the upgrades at a significant discount until January 31, 2013.
| Windows 8 SKUs | ||||||||
| Windows 8 Upgrade | Windows 7/Vista/XP Upgrade | Full Version | Price | |||||
| Windows 8 Pro Pack | X | - | - | $69 | ||||
| Windows 8 Pro Upgrade (Boxed) | - | X | - | $69 | ||||
| Windows 8 Pro Upgrade (Download) | - | X | - | $39 | ||||
| Windows 8 (Core) OEM | - | - | X | $99 | ||||
| Windows 8 Professional OEM | - | - | X | $139 | ||||
For buyers looking for physical copies, retailers are taking pre-orders for both upgrade and full editions of Windows 8. For Windows X/Vista/7 users Microsoft is offering a single upgrade package, the Windows 8 Professional Upgrade, which has a list price of $99 but is being offered at $69 for the life of the promotion. Meanwhile the download version that will be made available on the 26th will have a $39 promotional price, putting a $30 premium on boxed copies.
As for Windows 8 (core) users – primarily those who buy computers with Windows 8 pre-installed – Microsoft is offering the Windows 8 Pro Pack upgrade for upgrading a Windows 8 (core) installation to Windows 8 Pro. Like the Win7 upgrade, this too is being offered at a promotional price of $69 with a list price of $99.
Finally, full versions of both Windows 8 (core) and Windows 8 are also being offered for pre-order, but only in OEM form at this time. There isn’t a publicly announced discount on these, so the list price of $99 for Windows 8 (core) and $139 for Windows 8 Professional should be the final price, which also closely matches the price for OEM copies of Windows 7. We haven’t seen retail full versions of Windows 8 appear for sale yet, and while there are rumors going around that Windows 8 will be OEM-only, it has not been confirmed by Microsoft.
Source: Microsoft
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Old_Fogie_Late_Bloomer - Monday, October 15, 2012 - link
The fact that it costs less to upgrade Windows 7/Vista/XP computers to Windows 8 Pro than it does to upgrade Windows 8 is kind of a dick move. It really drives home just how badly Microsoft wants everyone using Windows 8. Once you're in, though, Microsoft doesn't feel the need to do you any favors when it comes to upgrading to the Pro version.kmmatney - Monday, October 15, 2012 - link
I agree, and don't understand that move. The upgrade from Standard to Pro should be $30. What do you even get? The ability to join a domain and backup? (and why they don't have backup for Home users is beyond me...).mcnabney - Tuesday, October 16, 2012 - link
Media functions. They ripped most media-handling abilities out of the default version. So if you have HTPC you have to buy the equivalent of Ultimate + an additional codec purchase through the MS store to get it to work.Golgatha - Tuesday, October 16, 2012 - link
This. Makes about as much sense as ripping the DVR functionality from Media Center in the Pro version of Win7, but including it in the Home Premium version.This Guy - Wednesday, October 17, 2012 - link
Unless Windows 8 ain't actually a Windows, I'm pretty sure you can install whoever's codecs you like.ananduser - Monday, October 15, 2012 - link
Why should you get any favors ? W8 is state of the art software. Where did you get the feeling that you're entitled to dirt cheap prices ?FATCamaro - Monday, October 15, 2012 - link
Apple?damianrobertjones - Monday, October 15, 2012 - link
Now come on... we all know that you pay more for the hardware (And someo of their OSX releases barely offer anything new)ananduser - Monday, October 15, 2012 - link
Apple ?. MS doesn't have to compete with Apple in a race to the bottom regarding software prices. Furthermore Windows 8 is well worth its asking price, even without discounts, compared to an OS that only works on a limited hardware configuration that is also limited in feature set.BTW if you're an Apple user you shouldn't use(as Apple would like it) windows anyway and MS is not obligated to cater to you like Apple. You paid 40% margin on Apple's hardware, you can afford fat margins for other companies as well. Windows on your mac is a privilege not a right.
My advice to you is to stop whining and pay up for windows as long as it is cheap. You wouldn't like to pay the post Jan 31st prices.
melgross - Monday, October 15, 2012 - link
You're right, they encourage their ODM manufacturers to fight a race to the profit less bottom. I suppose that makes it better.