Looking to buy Windows 8? We already know that Windows XP and higher users can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99. We also know people who purchase Windows 7 PCs after July 2 can grab a Windows 8 Pro upgrade for $14.99. If you don’t fall into one of those categories, you can go for Microsoft’s third offering — a time-limited promotion that sees a full retail version of Windows 8 Pro being sold for $69.99.

The Verge, quoting “one source familiar with Microsoft’s plans”, is reporting that full retail Windows 8 Pro will be on sale for $69.99 through January 31, 2013. Starting February 1, 2013, Windows 8 Pro full retail will jump to its regular price of $199. What is important to note here is that the $69.99 Windows 8 Pro is a full retail version meaning you can install it on any computer that can run it — it is not an upgrade version of Windows 8 Pro.

In addition to the promotion on the full retail version of Windows 8 Pro, The Verge is saying people who buy computers with Windows 8 pre-installed can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $69.99 until January 31, 2013. After that, Windows 8 -> Windows 8 Pro upgrade will cost $99.99.

Of course this is only a rumor so we can vouch for the validity of the quoted numbers. Personally speaking, what bothers me the most about this leak is that Microsoft would set a full retail version of Windows 8 Pro and a Windows 8 -> Windows 8 Pro upgrade at the same price during the promotion window. Who in their right mind would go for the latter upgrade if they are priced the same? Nonetheless, these prices do seem to go along with Microsoft’s attempt to push Windows 8 onto people. We will be sure to report back when we have official numbers.

[via The Verge | Image via Wikipedia]