Windows 8 Pro, Ultimate Upgrade $39.99

[ElFenix]

Win2000 - Not so good for home users but good product overall.

i'm a home user, went to win2k with one of the release candidates and held on to it until at least xp sp1. i guess if you had some old dos 6.22 software around 2k wasn't good but i never had any problem running games or applications with it.

 

[OCGuy]

Win7 is the new XP.....not going to upgrade for quite a while.

 

[lazarus000]

i doubt that will happen within the next 10 years given that win 7 is so strong

they will because Microsoft wants to encourage people to buy it.

If people didn't get so pissed they would completely cut off support on everything but last 2 OS each time they released a new one to force people to buy more.

 

[goobee]

i'm a home user, went to win2k with one of the release candidates and held on to it until at least xp sp1. i guess if you had some old dos 6.22 software around 2k wasn't good but i never had any problem running games or applications with it.

Win2K was NT based which we all know was primarily aimed towards corporate, not consumers. Easy configuration of hardware was not it's strong point. For the average user, XP was the cats meow.

 

[jhansman]

I'm in. Hell, for $40, I'll give it a whirl. I just spent a couple of hours with the Preview and found I kinda like it. It'll take some adjusting to, but I have no problem with that. One interesting note-Win8 found and configured itself for my wireless printer without a whimper; Win7 had no idea it was even there until I installed the drivers and utils. Also, for all those who are complaining about the Metro interface, note that the desktop is a click away, and you need never see the other again if you so desire.

 

[ElFenix]

Win2K was NT based which we all know was primarily aimed towards corporate, not consumers. Easy configuration of hardware was not it's strong point. For the average user, XP was the cats meow.

frankly win2k was easier than win9x ever was. i wasn't using obscure hardware though. just a matrox, 3dfx, and soundblaster on an intel board.

 

[mechBgon]

they will because Microsoft wants to encourage people to buy it.

If people didn't get so pissed they would completely cut off support on everything but last 2 OS each time they released a new one to force people to buy more.

They have a longstanding policy about support. You can read up on it here: http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?LN=en-us&x=9&y=12

Cliffs:
•10 years of support (5 years Mainstream Support and 5 years Extended Support) at the supported service pack level for Business, Developer and Desktop Operating System products

•5 years Mainstream Support at the supported service pack level for Consumer/Hardware/Multimedia products

And that's their guaranteed minimum. They've been known to extend it. When a new Service Pack comes out, they provide updates to the prior SP for a minimum of a year before requiring you to move onto the current SP.

 

[Concillian]

if there's a linux distro that has easy to set up, non-raid, redundant file storage, i'm all ears. i've tried amahi and it was a mess.

install any linux version
dd if=/dev/sda of=/dev/sdb bs=1M
Reboot to the 2nd drive
rename the parition IDs to be different from the other drive, since linux will be confused trying to mount partitions when you have two with the same UUID.

now you write a script that needs only three commands.

mount /dev/sdb1 /media/backup
rsync -a --delete <path to important files> /media/backup/<path>
umount /dev/sdb1
<optional> hdparm -y /dev/sdb <this spins down the backup drive after it's unmounted>

Now add that to the cron file to execute at whatever frequency you want. I do nightly at 5am.

Now you have a fully redundant system. If the primary drive fails, then you can boot the other drive and pretend nothing happened.

This is what I do for my file server, only I have a THIRD identical (and bootable) drive that is external. That one gets backed up every couple months, and I take it to work an lock it in a drawer. That's my "house burned down" backup copy.

I wasn't very familiar with linux when I set it up. Took me about 4-5 hours to figure it all out and get it all working perfect. So a little up-front work. But now that it's done, it's good to go for 4-5 years until I'm ready to replace the drives.

I suppose you may need to work on samba. I did that part about 8 years ago and carry the same samba.conf from computer to computer. It's not like linux ever changes drastically. That's the good part, even if it takes a few hours to learn what to do, once you learn it you're DONE. You can carry the important files forward to the next file server with little to no changes. You do the work once and it gets carried forward for DECADES.

 

[Ashenor]

Can you buy this now, and when can you install it?

Need to do a fresh install soon and would buy this.

 

[Athena]

Did I miss an update on this offer -- is there a registration site somewhere?

Thanks

 

[lazarus000]

Did I miss an update on this offer -- is there a registration site somewhere?

Thanks

I haven't seen anything else about it.

 

[Rvenger]

Newegg sent me an offer for $59.99... certainly not 39.99.

 

[Lucifer Lost]

It looks like this offer will only be available for ONLINE purchases directly from windows.com. Probably when Win8 releases on the 26th.

According the the windows blog this is mentioned on (http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/.../02/upgrade-to-windows-8-pro-for-39-99.aspx):

"If you prefer to shop at a local store, a packaged DVD version of the upgrade to Windows 8 Pro will be available for $69.99 during this promotion.

This upgrade promotion for Windows 8 Pro both online and at retail runs through January 31st, 2013."

 

[Lucifer Lost]

Oh yeah... hate to double post but there is a new blog today that confirms the above:

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/...-8-pro-and-pre-order-windows-8-pcs-today.aspx

"...if you want to wait until October 26th you will be able to upgrade online via Windows.com using the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant for just $39.99 USD ERP*. Online upgrade to Windows 8 Pro is supported for 140 countries worldwide, with 37 languages, and 23 supported currencies!"

 

[Elixer]

Yeah, for those that want it, this is the best deal to get.
NewEgg's "pre-order" is $70 for the same thing.

 

[lazarus000]

Oh yeah... hate to double post but there is a new blog today that confirms the above:

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/...-8-pro-and-pre-order-windows-8-pcs-today.aspx

"...if you want to wait until October 26th you will be able to upgrade online via Windows.com using the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant for just $39.99 USD ERP*. Online upgrade to Windows 8 Pro is supported for 140 countries worldwide, with 37 languages, and 23 supported currencies!"

don't like the idea of no hard copy or even digitial download copy.

so any reinstall would mean you have to install win 7 and then upgrade online again?

 

[Rio Rebel]

After your download finishes, you can choose to proceed with the upgrade (“Install now”) or install later either from your desktop or by creating your own media. If you choose to create your own media, you will be able to create your own bootable USB or .ISO file which can be burned onto a DVD for upgrade and backup purposes. If you prefer, you also have the option of purchasing a backup DVD for $15 plus shipping and handling.

Still the best deal, I think.

 

[HeXen]

Does this "upgrade" version mean i would have to have the full retail windows 7 version installed first? Any advantage to a "full version" if i already have windows 7?

 

[mechBgon]

Yes but given that 7 is a mature and stable product, why do I want to start all over again? Inquiring minds want to know.

Win8 has security upgrades. Win7 will get some of them backported, but not all. I consider it worth $40 just for that aspect. I don't like the new UI, but $5 for Stardock Start8 fixes that, or there's Classic Shell at SourceForge for free. SSD optomizations, cloud features... there's some worthwhile new features too.

What I'd be curious to see, is if I can do a clean install from the Upgrade disc. I have a retail WinXP Pro license I can use as the basis for one of my upgrades, but I'd rather not have to install WinXP before upgrading if I can just do it clean. And AHCI drivers are one reason why. edit: I see on the Windows blog that formatting the HDD during install is an option, so that's a "maybe" at least.

 

[balloonshark]

Is this upgrade valid for OEM Windows XP Home keys?

 

[postmortemIA]

Is this upgrade valid for OEM Windows XP Home keys?

should be - at least for windows 7 upgrade OEM editions were eligible for upgrade.

 

[zerogear]

i want windows 8 simply for the drive extender like feature that was removed from whs 2011.

Except it doesn't do autobalancing.

 

[Basilisk]

I love the WMPC:Home Theatre edition.

Getting OT, but: is this what they're now calling "MPC-HC"? I don't find anything with the name above. Been using VLC because WMP is so limited, but I could use further improvements!

 

[Basilisk]

What's the story with the Win8 boot-loader? Isn't it even less compatible with multi-booting? I multi-boot through the LINUX (Mint) boot-tool on into the Windows 7 boot-loader and then into Windows. I hate to add some new, yet more inscrutable layer/methods!

That's my principle objection to switching to W8 now that it's clear they will offer WMC as a free download: 'don't know what would handle my 4-channel cable-card except WMC, though I despise WMC's channel management tools.

 

[Basilisk]

A note to purchasers of remanufactured/refurbished [R/R] systems: MicroSoft has a fairly deeply buried statement that the $15 upgrade is NOT offered for R/R systems; however, it accepted & validated the details on mine, and emailed back that I'd receive a further email when I could download the update. I think MS just wants a convincing sales order [i.e. from a recognized vendor, & with a valid date] and a valid/virginal product key.