Eventually interesting for most KvR users so a extra thread about this.

Microsoft will run a promotion which runs through January 31st, 2013.

* Update from existing versions to the Windows 8 Pro: $39,99
(+ $15 for a backup DVD (shipping and handling)
* packaged DVD from store: $69,99

The integrated download manager of the upgrade assistant has a option to download to a iso file or a usb stick.

It should be easy to upgrade from existing XP/Win/Vista installation without the needs to re-install all existing applications/plug-ins.

I'm not sure how the upgrade is working for a clean install (without a existing Windows installation).


Some more informations:

Source

I'd buy that. And wait until someone figures out how to remove metro. And re-instate the start menu. Then slipstream Win8 sp2 and install it.

EDIT: See below

Brent
Last edited by koolkeys on Wed Jul 04, 2012 11:30 am; edited 1 time in total

Start menu is gone, and I'm afraid it will be a definitive decision (this was confirmed to me by MS support). However, besides that, the current version, once we access the desktop, works very much like Windows 7. Apart the lack of drivers (this will ve a nightmare, because, at least in the current pre-release, Windows seems very intolerant to legacy drivers), apps are working OK. I tried to upgrade a Windows 7 that I had in a image HD, and it worked fine. The triple boot I mentioned in another thread was even preserved. But I had to unisntall several drivers.
Metro has an option to pin apps, and we can launch them directly from there, but the other option is a thing called all apps which lists EVERYTHING (like read me's and all that) you have in the start menu folders. MS needs to find something more elegant to replace the start menu. Right, now, my option has been navigating to the Program Files folders and launch applications from there. The ones I use more, I pinned them to Metro and here I go.

Thanks for the clarification. I should say instead that the functionality is still there, and the desktop isn't really changed THAT much. The main point is that Metro is not the only option for getting around Windows.

Not sure that I'll be moving on to Win8 any time soon as Windows 7 is absolute rock solid and the best OS in years(IMO, but seriously, it is, lol) and I don't necessarily have the need for anything that is new yet. But we'll see.

Now, the Windows tablet, I'll probably end up with at some point. Windows 8 seems PERFECT for that.

Brent

Seems like MS biggest mistake was having the same version of Windows 8 on both tablet and desktop when the tablet should of been Metro and the desktop not.

It seems like Microsoft does not care too much for audio making on the PC as well?

Im guessing the start menu will be back in Windows9 .

Not possible, aparently. And no inditation of price for when not upgrading, as far as I can see.

Anyway, I've got OEM windows here, with a duel boot (one for music, one for everything else) does anyone know how many install you're allowed, or is it just as many as you like with that hardware?

So basically you're switching to Mac?
(I'm on PC myself)

Why not? with the number of PC sales dropping proportionally, and if they can make a dent with this in the tablet market they can try and move the PC more into living spaces - esp. with the free media centre stuff you can get. Metro may be quite good for a system plugged ino the tele for internet streaming and gaming etc. and can't the tablets run as a second screen to a PC? so you could then use your tablet as a monitor when using the pc keyboard for emails and typing etc.

Of course, they have to make sure their tablet works and sells... ;O/

Upgrade price is cheap enough, but i havent heard one good thing about win8 for desktop users. Tablet users may be diff.

Duh.

There is a couple of good things about Windows8 its $39 (limited time) and you can purchase direct from microsoft . You can also burn the iso image to a DVD or save the iso to a usb thumb drive ( reminds me of Linux). So there are your backup discs . If I were to build a new computer I would definitely get it over Windows7 . The media center users , tablet users, and smart phone market is what microsoft is going after here , not big businesses or desktop users . They are just way too late to the game though, but I guess we'll see if this tablet-phone/desktop OS is a successful or a suckfestfilled soon enough .

Where can I get it for this special price? For how long?

from release (october?) to end of january next year I think)