Windows 8 Pro's Non-promotional Pricing is $199
Early bird catches the worm.
Microsoft yesterday opened up registration for the Windows 8 upgrade program that will allow anyone purchasing a Windows 7 machine between June 2nd, 2012 and January 31st, 2013 to upgrade to Windows 8 for just $15. For those that aren't purchasing a new computer, Microsoft last month announced that anyone running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 at launch you qualify for a $39.99 download of Windows 8 Pro. If you prefer an actual physical copy, you can pick Windows 8 Pro up in store for $69.99 during this promotion. At the time, Microsoft said this upgrade promotion for Windows 8 Pro both online and at retail would through January 31, 2013. So, what happens then?
According to the folks over on The Verge, the price of the retail version of Windows 8 Pro will be just under $200 once the calendars flip over to February 1. The Verge cites a source familiar with Microsoft's plans that says Windows 8 Pro will be priced at $199 after the promotional price expires on January 31. Additionally, the $69.99 upgrade option at retail stores will jump to $99.99.
In other words, you'll pay significantly more if you decide to wait until well into the new year to adopt Windows 8. Windows 8 is scheduled for release on October 26 of this year. Will you be adopting the OS while it's going cheap? Let us know in the comments below!
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Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.
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classzero ReplyWindows 8 Pro's Non-promotional Pricing is $199
Ah Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha, Oh Ho Ho Ho Ho . . . $199 for Windows 8 . . . -
makaveli316 classzeroAh Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha, Oh Ho Ho Ho Ho . . . $199 for Windows 8 . . .Reply
Lol, i just laughed like Santa while reading this.
The sad thing is, i won't even bother to download it. Actually i already tried the leaked retail version and it took me an hour to scream for windows 7, even if i liked few things in windows 8 though.... -
CaedenV in other news: windows XP pro, Vista Business, and 7 pro all retailed for $200. Nobody actually pays $200 because everyone either gets the $140 OEM, or a cheaper bulk license, but the retail version of Windows Pro has been $200 for over 10 years... this is nothing new.Reply
However, in a world where MS is more directly competing with the likes of Apple who has $40 OS upgrades, and Android is free (If you have a supported device, and If your manufacturer decides to support it properly, and If you wireless carrier isnt a prick), I would think that lowering the overall price would be a much better idea. I would think $50 for home OEM and then $75 for pro OEM (double the price for a retail copy) would be much more appropriate in today's world (and then stiff us on xBox live memberships, skydrive memberships, office360 memberships, and all the other monthly subscriptions that MS is making their bread and butter on now). -
bunkgoats $199 for the privelage of being in their new walled garden where they will get 30% royalties from the sales of apps? I feel like they are insulting my intelligence. I will stick with Windows 7 until it becomes obsolete, it works well enough for now.Reply