windows 8 Upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99

[MightyJordan]

I'm curious to the answer to Dane's question too, as my Windows 7 Ultimate x64 key is an MSDN key.

I've got another question too. If I am actually eligible to upgrade (I hope so), I'm planning on finally buying an SSD for my PC, so would it be possible for me to upgrade and install Windows 8 straight onto the SSD?

[theyarecomingforyou]

So I have a question. I am not a fan of Windows 8, however for $40 I'll upgrade. My question is, I have an OEM copy of Windows 7 x64.

Will I qualify for the upgrade? Also, will I be able to clean install over windows 7?

I ask cause it states "You will be able to upgrade from any consumer edition of Windows 7 to Windows 8 Pro " Is OEM a "consumer edition"?

The official Microsoft post states:

"Starting at general availability, if your PC is running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 you will qualify to download an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for just $39.99 in 131 markets."

Now I know there was some talk that it would be limited to retail versions but I think that would generate a lot of bad will, especially when the original post says you just have to be "running" XP, Vista or 7 to qualify. You would think that OEM would class as a "consumer edition", as that is the primary method of acquisition for consumers. But I wouldn't take anything for granted.

[Noir Angel]

They're including the release previews in the upgrade deal. Just put in the key for the RP and you should be good to go. I don't think the use of MSDN keys should matter, I imagine it will still let you upgrade.

[theyarecomingforyou]

They're including the release previews in the upgrade deal. Just put in the key for the RP and you should be good to go.

Actually, according to this you'll need an underlying Windows licence. You cannot simply upgrade from the public release preview.

[Noir Angel]

Ahh my bad. Still it shouldn't be that hard to get an OEM key from an old computer.

[migo]

I guess this is really the sign that Apple got somewhere. As long as Apple was irrelevant, MS was free to charge whatever they want. $40 for a Windows 8 Pro upgrade is way better than paying $30 each year for the next OSX release. I'll bet that Windows 8 eclipses Vista's marketshare within a month.

[theyarecomingforyou]

I guess this is really the sign that Apple got somewhere. As long as Apple was irrelevant, MS was free to charge whatever they want.

I disagree. Apple has never been a threat to Microsoft on the desktop / laptop. The tablet market is different but it's still in its infancy, so Microsoft is still able to redefine consumer expectations. The reality is that Windows 7 is an incredibly strong operating system that does what most people want, which means that Microsoft is competing with itself. Not only that but Microsoft needs Windows 8 to succeed in order to capitalise on the Windows Store, which has the potential to make them an awful lot of money.

[migo]

OSX is also at the point that it's getting targetted by malware a lot more frequently now, which is also an indication that Apple got somewhere with it. You might be right about MS' motivations, but like it or not, OSX is now making a dent. It's around the size FireFox was when people really started taking note of it.

[George P Global Moderator]

You have to keep in mind that this is a limited time offer, they did these types of deals with Win7 and I think Vista as well. This just happens to be a better deal with Win8 because you get 8 Pro and not something like Home Premium like you got with Win7. There's other deals but I just remember the win7 family pack off the top of my head. $150 for 3 home premium licenses, so $50 each.

The key difference now is that Windows 8 has less SKUs so the offer is better. Plus once could say that maybe they're lowering the prices so they can update faster now? Normally it's every 2-3 years but what if we see a Windows 8 R2 (refresh) a year later? Instead of getting a normal SP1 that's just bug fixes etc. They did this with Server 2008 R2 so who knows? The Windows RT tablet version does change things now because you can't keep that as is for 2-3 years without updates IMO.

[migo]

The reason they did Server 2008 R2 instead of Server 2010 or some such is because the underlying code of 7 is pretty much the same as Vista. Windows 7 brought around some significant UI overhauls, but that didn't matter on the server end.

[Noir Angel]

OSX is also at the point that it's getting targetted by malware a lot more frequently now, which is also an indication that Apple got somewhere with it. You might be right about MS' motivations, but like it or not, OSX is now making a dent. It's around the size FireFox was when people really started taking note of it.

Perhaps OSX needs to start making more of a dent. Something needs to make Microsoft realise that ignoring their customers is a REALLY bad idea.

[George P Global Moderator]

The reason they did Server 2008 R2 instead of Server 2010 or some such is because the underlying code of 7 is pretty much the same as Vista. Windows 7 brought around some significant UI overhauls, but that didn't matter on the server end.

R2 brought new features with it, which was my point.