Should you pre-order Windows 8?
Online retailers such as Amazon have started to accept pre-orders for the boxed version of Microsoft Windows 8 Pro. The Windows 8 Upgrade is available for $69.99 until January 31, 2013 at which point it will be offered for the actual retail price of $199.99. The upgrade edition is only available for existing Microsoft customers who own a PC running Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7. Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc revealed earlier this year that the previous version of Windows needs to be installed on the PC to run the upgrade.
The boxed version of Windows 8 ships on a single DVD that is shipped to your home address. Depending on when it is shipped by the retailer, it may mean that you won't receive it on October 26, 2012, the official release date of the operating system.
The alternative to pre-ordering a boxed version of Windows 8 is to buy the Windows 8 Pro upgrade as a digital download on October 26. Not only is the digital download copy cheaper, at $39.99 instead of $69.99, but you can also order a backup DVD if you want for $15 extra. While that does not equate a boxed copy of Windows 8, it gives you an option to get a physical copy of the operating system.
Then again, it is necessary to burn the digital download to DVD or copy it to an USB Flash Drive before you install the Windows 8 operating system.
Other retailers, like Newegg, have started to list OEM versions of Windows 8 for pre-order.
- Microsoft Windows 8 32-bit OEM $99.99
- Microsoft Windows 8 64-bit OEM $99.99
- Microsoft Windows 8 Pro 32-bit OEM $139.99
- Microsoft Windows 8 Pro 64-bit OEM $139.99
In short: The Windows 8 Pro Upgrade box costs $69.99 if you pre-order or buy before January 31, 2013. It may arrive later but you do not need to download the operating system and burn it to DVD or copy it on a Flash drive before you install it.
The digital download is available for $39.99. Depending on Microsoft's servers and your connection, you may be able to download and install the operating system on the same day. What you do not get is a boxed version.
Pre-ordering only makes sense if you want to get the boxed copy at the earliest moment. There is no other reason for pre-ordering right away. If you have a fast Internet connection and do not mind burning the operating system to DVD, you save almost half the money doing so. And since that version is offered as a digital download, there is no need to pre-order or fear that the offer will run out prematurely.
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Just noticed a typo:
> you safe almost half the money doing so
Should be “you save almost half the money doing so”
Thanks, corrected.
Don’t know–that box sure is pretty. Is that the new login screen? Greys and purples and pinks and blues and lavenders . . . ssshhh, the box alone is worth $60.00—maybe hang it on the wall.
The box is a copycat of Google’s Nexus 7 tablet box.
https://encrypted.google.com/search?q=google+nexus+7+box&hl=en&prmd=imvnsu&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Eo55UM3YMMOm4gSc9oGADw&ved=0CDoQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=647
This concerns me the most, that you as an user has no quarantee that everything works fine after doing a clean install of Windows 8. There has been issued already a huge update package for W8, but the time will prove if this is satisfying.
OEM versions are only intended to be pre-installed on PCs and sold to customers,
so, if you are not a PC builder you can not use it for your own usage at home.
“..Use of this OEM System Builder Channel software is subject to the terms of the Microsoft OEM System Builder License. This software is intended for pre-installation on a new personal computer for resale. 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….”
Contradicts this: http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-radically-overhauls-license-agreements-for-windows-8-7000002866/
So, Newegg hasn’t got new Microsoft memo ? :-)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=-1&isNodeId=1&Description=windows+8+oem&x=0&y=0
Maybe you can sell it to yourself then for $1. I’m not following the rumor mill that much on this topic, but was not there a rumor that Microsoft would not sell retail copies of Windows 8 at all, and only sell OEM versions instead?
Main advice (because of main experience with windows 3.1, 95,98, xp, vista and 7) is wait on service pack 1. Because there always problems with drivers, programs, etc. etc..
But isn’t the upgrade offer deal only valid for a few months?
On another note, when ordering the digital download version, does it give the option to download the 64-bit version even if your previous version was a 32-bit OS?
It is not possible to upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit or the other way round. This may help nevertheless http://www.winsupersite.com/article/windows-7/windows-7-upgrade-scenarios-scenario-2-upgrade-from-32-bit-windows-vistaxp-to-64-bit-windows-7
This can be difficulty if Microsoft really ditches services packs ;)
I’m with Paul – never touch a new Windows OS until SP1 – or failing that a year has passed.
So neither pre- or post-ordering for me. I’ll switch to 8 when 7 is no longer supported, and possibly not even then given I’m already on 50% Linux.
I’m with Paul – never touch a new Windows OS until SP1 – or failing that a year has passed.
So neither pre- or post-ordering for me. I’ll switch to 8 when 7 is no longer supported, and possibly not even then given I’m already on 50% Linux.