Grab Windows 8 Pro now for $39.99 before it hits $199.99 in February
January 19, 2013 35
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Have even the remotest interest in Windows 8? Think you may upgrade, or will want to upgrade, in the future? If so, right now is the time to grab it.
As mentioned on dotTech earlier, Microsoft is running a promotion that allows everyone with Windows XP SP3 and higher to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99. There is another promotion for people who recently bought Windows 7 PCs to grab Windows 8 Pro for $14.99. Both these promotions end on January 31, 2013; starting February 1, 2013, Windows 8 Pro upgrade goes to the normal price of $199.99.
Aside from Windows 8 Pro going to $199.99 starting February, here are the pricing details for other versions of Windows 8:
- The Windows 8 upgrade edition will be available online and at retail for $119.99 MSRP (U.S.).
- The Windows 8 Pro Pack will cost $99.99 MSRP (U.S.).
- The Windows 8 Media Center Pack will cost $9.99 MSRP (U.S.).
Grab Windows 8 Pro now, if you want it — otherwise forever hold your peace.
[via Microsoft]
Are there any real advantages to Windows 8 if you only use your home PC and do not have a touch screen?
Hi Ashraf,
Funny I was just about to buy Windows 7 to put on a Dell laptop that has Vista on it. I really do like Windows 7. The laptop does not have a touch screen but for $40 maybe I should go Windows 8?
Does Windows 8 need any special hardware ? (other than a touch screen, I’ll use the mouse) I will install a new hard drive and 8 gigs of ram also. It does has a dual core processor.
Any and all opinions/thoughts are welcomed
Thanks
Dave
Haha. I’ll just forever hold my peace. Thanks.
Hurry an grab it for the $40 if you want to give it a whirl, I did and I will tell you it is NOT worth $199.
Never on my desktop or laptop! I don’t have any need for a tablet so no Win 8 for me period.
Maybe for tablet owners, but never for a desktop or laptop!
Can I download at the special price with my new computer, but install it on an older computer to test it out?
@Bob:
I would think you could since you do recieve a license code after purchasing, personally I haven’t tried due to lack of time, I orginally purchased and installed on my desktop, didn’t like it due to lack of customisation so went back to Windows 7. When I have the time I plan on installing on my laptop.
I’ll give it a try this weekend and post the results!
Make me the same deal for Windows 7 Pro and I’m all in.
@Ashraf: Have you heard of any time limit for installation? I got it at the bargain(?) basement price, but have no plans to use it any time soon.
@jayesstee:
Once you have made the purchase and have receieved your license key you should be able to install anytime you wish.
Isn’t there also a deal that lets you “downgrade” to W7 if you don’t like W8?
That would be a cheap way to upgrade an older OS to W7; which is IMO much more useful if you don’t have a touchscreen.
@al hall: It seems to me that I read something like that at some point, but really don’t know.
I did some quick checking around and found some references that say it is not possible. Of course the least helpful was Microsoft themselves.
If anyone has a definitive answer to “al hall” question then please enlighten us; thank you!
@al hall: Do I recall correctly that with one of the Windows 8 “enhanced versions”–perhaps Win 8 Pro?–one can backgrade to Win7? Or was that a dream that I had . . .?
I wondered a bit about the downgrading of Win8 to Win7, here’s what I found:
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx#fbid=AqGi7JRugOq
It seems it is only allowed if you purchase a ne PC with Win8 pre-installed AND it has “downgrade rights”.
Win 8 as it is, would not be much good in an office but I thought it was possible to get it to open to the desktop..
If thats possible and if they install a start button (can get a free download for that) then it would work .
It definitely runs faster and it starts to main log on screen really quickly .
I still use 7 for my work computers but have my sons laptop and a gaming machine on win 8 now.
The second was to help me learn it.
I still have not totally got it but am starting to figure my way around and its not really as bad as people think.
My son just adapted with no fuss.
I am taking a little longer and he is now showing me how to get things done instead of the other way round.
Its certainly not the disaster that Vista turned out to be accept my version of Office 2007 suddenly became illegal after 3 years and the install. of win 8 and a new motherboard
I will get that sorted out I am sure but it is a nuisance that it happened
Yes its a legal copy..
It also told me win 8 was illegal after the new mother board but Microsoft fixed that for me and I assume office will be the same when I get on the phone.
BOB
I downloaded it on one computer and loaded it normally on the two other machines. with no problem.
I did do clean installs on them both though.
Its great being able to pay by PayPal and 40 bucks for the pro licence with Bit locker (nice on the Laptop) is a bargain .
@Tommy Douglas: Win8 gives you aids. DO NOT buy it. The difference between Win7 and Win8 is so little, you should stick to your Win7 copy. Nothing about Win8 is a good. It’s a waste of time and money. Wait for Win9 to surface and hopefully it won’t be crap.
FUNNIEST review of Win8 Evar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTYet-qf1jo
I would pay $39.99 not to install Windows 8 on my laptop. Overall it runs a bit faster on my non touch screen laptop, but the lack of a Start Button is the real deal breaker. Windows 7 is mature and refined a nice Desktop OS. Windows 8 is just all over the place.
@Col. Panek: Funny and should be sent to Microsoft. LOL
They really should continue to sell Win7 to allow the customers to choose what THEY want and not what Microsoft wants to sell regardless of what the customer wants.
I will be playing with Linux based OSes and other alternative OSes until something better comes down the pike.
@Switch-kun: Thank you, that is I what thought.
@gtatech: But easy enough to add a Start button, right, through third-party utilities. Although, of course, that’s not the way it should be . . . . Ah, Microsoft and Apple, telling us, so often, and not listening to us.
Based on above comments and a few other sources I’ve decided not to buy Windows 8.
I’ve been search for a way to get a second copy of Windows 7. Turns out you can just buy a new key for $26
http://www.windows7keycode.info/
I’m really tempted to try it. Wonder however if it’s legit?
Dave
@bajadave: Their website says it is a genuine key. Doesn’t say it’s unique. Imagine trying to authorise a key already in use?
Mind you I am a pessimistic old s*d, if you try it and it’s OK please post.
I would be very leery about buying one these keys. From what I was able to find out Microsoft does or did support buying new product keys for existing OEM OS versions, but the key words here is legit and genuine (an MS buy word). The question is; is this vendor authorized by Microsoft to sell these keys? I serioiusly doubt it. If they were an authorized vendor for Microsoft I beleive they would proudly display this fact, BOLDLY; they don’t. Any of the links I found on MS concerning the purchase of product keys pointed to Windows 8 or no longer existed. However, one of the links pointed directly at http://www.newegg.com/Operating-Systems/SubCategory/ID-368; however, the only Windows product keys I could find listed, other than Windows 8, is for Office products, nothing for Windows 7.
From Everything I’ve been able to learn Microsoft is still marketing Windows 7 in fact I found a page on Microsoft with three Windows 7 versions; Home Premium, Pro, & Ultimate. But, have you ever navigated MS before; it can be extemely frustrating, seemingly impossible at times. I tried to find this page again; bang my head against the wall. But here is the link for Windows 7 Professional; http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/en_US/pd/ThemeID.27509700/productID.216645600, but the MS price borders on ridiculous, but they are selling it; it seems. In fact newegg is one of the sites I was going to recommend. You can also look on eBay, but be cautious on eBay. But, when it comes to Windows OS you need to be absolutely sure of what you’re getting before you lay your money on the table. There may also be some local shops, in your area, that may still be selling it and installing it, as an option, on new machines; I know of one in my area, for sure.
As for the buying new keys I think the safest thing to do is to call Microsoft and talk to them directly to find out what the real deal is. They also have a chat function on ms.com. Just be absolutely 100% certain you know what you’re getting; how genuine and legit it is, before giving anyone your money for a MS Windows OS. Or any other MS software product for that matter.
I will close by telling you, that although kind of a pain, the best way I’ve found to activate a Microsoft product is by phone, not the Internet. Some may disagree with that.
I was just about to post this when I noticed “jayesstee’s” post. It does say Genuine, and I’m sure if you were to write them and ask them if they are legit they would, of course, say, “Of course we are!” But, I’m wondering what they would say and what proof they would offer if you ask them to prove it. Might just never hear back from them. And I most definitely agree with “jayesstee” about being pessimistic. Contacting Microsoft directly is your best bet; I think.