How Can You Get Windows 8?
Will you upgrade to Windows 8? Will you get it on a new PC? On a tablet? Or do you plan to skip it as you may have skipped Vista? For those willing to dip their toes into the waters of Microsoft's drastic re-thinking of its flagship chunk of software, there are a number of options for how to actually get it. And in a poll on PCMag run back when Windows 8 Release Preview was launched, a surprising number of you want to start in with the new OS the moment it's available. For those eager beavers, along with anyone else wanting to move forward in the Windows world, we submit the following guide.
As of a couple days ago, we know exactly when you'll be able to get Windows 8—October 26. Windows head honcho Stephen Sinofsky made the announcement at Microsoft's annual sales announcement on July 18. This availability applies to both new PCs and tablets and to upgrade options.
Let's take a look at the different paths you can take to get to Windows 8 once that date rolls around, with the two primary options being upgrade versus new machine.
UpgradeIt looks like upgrade pricing will be a lot more aggressive than it has been for previous Windows generations. Not only has Apple set the tone with its cheap $29.99 upgrades for Mac OS X, but the pricing information that Microsoft has put out so far decidedly slants towards the inexpensive. In any case, both Apple and Microsoft are far more interested in having you buy a new computer rather than just updating your existing model. One columnist has even called the pricing known so far "fire sale prices."
So what will you pay for your Windows 8 upgrade? It depends on when you bought your current PC, whether you want the standard or Pro edition, and whether you opt for download or store purchase of upgrade discs. Though there had been speculation that Microsoft would move to the Apple system of download-only software installation, Windows 8 will be available at retail stores, as proven by a $69.99 DVD offer announced by Microsoft. The small table below summarizes the introductory upgrade pricing options we know about so far. Microsoft has said the prices are good till January 31, 2013.
| Upgrade Conditions | Cost of Upgrade to Windows 8 Pro |
| You bought a Windows 7 PC after June 2, 2012 | $14.99 download |
| You have any PC running Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 | $39.99 download or $69.99 packaged disc |
One question that remains is whether Microsoft will offer a full, non-upgrade version at retail. Another is pricing difference between non-Pro and Pro Editions. We'd assume that with fewer features, the non-Pro Windows 8 upgrade will cost even less, and we can expect announcements on this as we move to the RTM (release to manufacturing—first week of August) and GA (general availability—October 26) stages of development.
One final bit about availability (unfortunately without pricing details, yet) is that there will be System Builder editions of Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro. This is for folks who aren't upgrading from an existing Windows installation, but rather taking it upon themselves to build their own PCs from component parts. This is a particularly popular endeavor among PC gamers.
