Windows 8 Pricing Revealed

[btarunr]

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.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Nihilus]

Surprisingly good prices. That may also mean less R & D put in this OS.

 

[xkche]

Not bad same price of Win7.

 

[Dos101]

Expected pricing. Microsoft finally gets competitive.

Surprisingly good prices. That may also mean less R & D put in this OS.

Why would you say that?

 

[mtosev]

I like this. so the full version of 8 PRO will be 150euros or less

This OEM System Builder Channel software requires the assembler to provide end user support for the Windows software and cannot be transferred to another computer once it is installed. To acquire Windows software with support provided by Microsoft please see our full package "Retail" product offerings.
what?
full versions of windows 7 could be transferred to another computer.what's up with this?

 

[xkche]

This OEM System Builder Channel software requires the assembler to provide end user support for the Windows software and cannot be transferred to another computer once it is installed. To acquire Windows software with support provided by Microsoft please see our full package "Retail" product offerings.
what?
full versions of windows 7 could be transferred to another computer.what's up with this?

I have the OEM version of Win7 HP and i installed 3-4 times without problem. First change MoBo, second CPU, next CPU and Mobo (From AMD to INTEL) and finally go back to AMD with the same key...

 

[newtekie1]

Microsoft finally gets competitive.

Finally? These are the same prices as Win7 and Vista and XP...

I have the OEM version of Win7 HP and i installed 3-4 times without problem. First change MoBo, second CPU, next CPU and Mobo (From AMD to INTEL) and finally go back to AMD with the same key...

It is possible to install OEM copies on different computers, Microsoft isn't super strict. But it is still against the EULA, and if you do it too much they will catch you and blacklist the key.

 

[mtosev]

well microsoft's windows 7 license states that its only possible to transfer a license to another computer if you have a FPP or full packaged product.

 

[BigMack70]

Too bad Windows 8 isn't even worth $0.99 for a desktop...

I'll pass.

 

[_Zod_]

I like this. so the full version of 8 PRO will be 150euros or less

This OEM System Builder Channel software requires the assembler to provide end user support for the Windows software and cannot be transferred to another computer once it is installed. To acquire Windows software with support provided by Microsoft please see our full package "Retail" product offerings.
what?
full versions of windows 7 could be transferred to another computer.what's up with this?

Basically System Builder = OEM and Full = Retail. It used to be that you were not allowed to purchase OEM at all, that was reserved for the likes of DELL, HP etc. and OEM licenses were always tied to the original hardware it came with. Retail and Upgrade were consumer options that with Retail being transferable.

Nothing has changed other that now you can buy an OEM license as an end user.

 

[Octavean]

Yeah, not sure that makes a lot of sense. I bought upgrade licenses of Vista and Windows 7 the day they were released for about ~$50 each respectively. There were even family packs for a limited time consisting of 3 licenses for ~$150 (Home Premium upgrade).

I don’t think I would be willing to spend much more then that for an upgrade license of Windows and I already have some Windows 8 Pro full licenses through my Technet subscription.

 

[semantics]

Look like a temporary early adopter price.

 

[Dos101]

Finally? These are the same prices as Win7 and Vista and XP...

Ah I didn't see "upgrade" in the article when I first read it, thought it was for the full version. Serves me right for skimming the article.

 

[Easy Rhino]

i highly recommend purchasing windows 8 and installing one of the various start menu programs for it. it is faster than windows 7 on my machine.

 

[Delta6326]

Wow still dragging along the 32-bit...

Was hoping price would be cheaper around $80 for normal OEM. and PRO OEM would be around $100-115

 

[PLAfiller]

How 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?

 

[Solidstate89]

I can't see any reason to pay an extra 30 dollars just for a DVD. If you wait until the 26nd you can get the upgrade for Windows 8 Pro for 40 dollars via digital download.

 

[Solidstate89]

How 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?

Do not get the Pro Pack. Pro pack is the priced upgrade if you purchase Windows 8 and want to upgrade to get the extra features of Windows 8 Pro. You'll want the Windows 8 Pro upgrade, not the Pack. Then you just upgrade your current installation.

 

[Octavean]

I can't see any reason to pay an extra 30 dollars just for a DVD. If you wait until the 26nd you can get the upgrade for Windows 8 Pro for 40 dollars via digital download.

As long as that is an ISO then fine. I wouldn’t want to have to necessarily install it on the system it was purchased on.

 

[Drone]

It's a good thing that upgrade price from xp to 8 and from 7 to 8 is the same.

 

[suraswami]

good to know the price is really cheap, but I just bought a W7 laptop, I am guessing I am eligible for the $15 upgrade offer.

 

[mtosev]

Basically System Builder = OEM and Full = Retail. It used to be that you were not allowed to purchase OEM at all, that was reserved for the likes of DELL, HP etc. and OEM licenses were always tied to the original hardware it came with. Retail and Upgrade were consumer options that with Retail being transferable.

Nothing has changed other that now you can buy an OEM license as an end user.

well I'm only interested in a non upgrade transferable license. I don't care if its OEM, retail or anything else.i'm confuzed because what I quoted is from the newegg link posted here

 

[Solidstate89]

As long as that is an ISO then fine. I wouldn’t want to have to necessarily install it on the system it was purchased on.

You don't have to install it on the system it was purchased on. You purchase the upgrade key, and you can either do an in place install or just use it later on some other system. And yes, you can also choose to do an offline install and save it to an ISO to burn to a DVD or install via a Flash drive.

 

[Octavean]

You don't have to install it on the system it was purchased it. You purchase the upgrade key, and you can either do an in place install or just use it later on some other system. And yes, you can also choose to do an offline install and save it an ISO to burn to a DVD or install via a Flash drive.

For ~$40,......sold,.... I'd probably buy about ~3 licenses or more.

***edit***

Although I’m not pleased with some aspects of the install process of Windows 8 Pro RTM. I wont get into details and it can be sidestepped but it’s a hassle.

 

[Nordic]

$40 is enough to make me consider it. I am pretty dead set on windows 7 though. I can't imagine it being that much faster even though some of you say it is. I did play with the RT for a little while.