Windows versions: What does this mean?

CarvedDuck

Member
Messages
109
Hi, I wanted find the differences between win8 versions so did a search with "windows 8 versions" and got this...

Which Windows is right for you? - Microsoft Windows


I found the following -- please note the two asterisks for "Windows 8 **" and then the applicable footnote.
Are there version changes afoot after February 1st?
Should I rush out and buy a win8 laptop now?
Will there be more or fewer version and/or options?
Is this about crippled versions after Feb-1st with various degrees of crippling?

Anyone in the know on this as February 1st rushes towards us?

From the MS site.
***********************************************************
Windows 8 ** comes preinstalled on a variety of new tablets, convertibles, Ultrabooks, laptops, and all-in-one PCs. Windows 8 works with both existing desktop software and apps that you download from the Windows Store. ***********************************************************

Footnotes further down the page...
***********************************************************
** Until February 1 2013, this edition is only available preinstalled on select tablets and PCs.
***********************************************************
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer V5
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    6GB
    Hard Drives
    240GB Sandisk SSD
    Internet Speed
    4G/LTE
I am not sure what it means, but I don't think it means that it's going away or will change. I think it just means that they may offer it through other channels, not just pre-installed on a PC or tablet.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
Thanks for the thought, but I suspect it is more than that. Currently there is no official mention of Starter and/or Home Premium. I suspect they will be offering some alternative versions and dropping the win8 "Core," but time will tell I guess. It does not seem like Microsoft of old to be offering just three versions of an OS (not including RT of course). I just hoped for an informed heads up on whether to buy now or wait. Microsoft has a habit of prices going up and features going down. :) Gotta keep the investors rich and happy.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer V5
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    6GB
    Hard Drives
    240GB Sandisk SSD
    Internet Speed
    4G/LTE
The wording is very clear. It does not suggest additional editions. It only suggests that the version offered is only available pre-installed until that time. The only thing you can infer from that is that it will available via other channels after February 1st.

There is no "Home Premium" because WMC is now an add-on.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
"The wording is very clear"
You may have a lot of posts here, but you obviously know little about legal-wording. That footnote is loaded with ambiguity.

I have no idea what "WMC" is.

Let's wait and see after Feb 1st. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer V5
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    6GB
    Hard Drives
    240GB Sandisk SSD
    Internet Speed
    4G/LTE
There will be 2, and only 2, versions of Windows 8 - "Windows 8" and "Windows 8 Professional". Windows 8 is akin to Windows 7 Home Premium (minus Windows Media Center, aka WMC - which is now an optional component that can be purchased and enabled), and it won't be available to purchase from retailers until February 1st, 2013. After that, stores will be allowed to sell both Windows 8 Professional *and* Windows 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4790K @ 4.5GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus Hero VII
    Memory
    32GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX970
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 250GB SSD
    4x WD RE 2TB (RAIDZ)
    PSU
    Corsair AX760i
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
There will be 2, and only 2, versions of Windows 8 - "Windows 8" and "Windows 8 Professional". Windows 8 is akin to Windows 7 Home Premium (minus Windows Media Center, aka WMC - which is now an optional component that can be purchased and enabled), and it won't be available to purchase from retailers until February 1st, 2013. After that, stores will be allowed to sell both Windows 8 Professional *and* Windows 8.
Does Amazon.com count as a retailer? I can buy Windows 8 (Amazon.com: Windows 8 System Builder DVD 32-Bit: Software) or Windows 8 Pro (Amazon.com: Windows 8 Professional System Builder DVD 32-Bit: Software) from them today.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7 / Win 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo T510 / HP ProBook 4540S
    CPU
    Intel i5-510m / Intel i3-3110m
    Memory
    4GB / 8GB
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6"
"The wording is very clear"
You may have a lot of posts here, but you obviously know little about legal-wording. That footnote is loaded with ambiguity.

I have no idea what "WMC" is.

If they had meant to say what you're implying, it would say this:

"This edition is only available until February 1st, on selected hardware" Instead, the comma is on the first part "Until February 1st, this edition is only available on selected hardware". The comma is important to the understanding of the wording, and specifies two separate thoughts in a joined sentence. Any Lawyer (or English teacher) would read it that way.

WMC is Windows Media Center. It's the only difference between Windows 8 and Windows 7 Home Premium edition wise..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
Does Amazon.com count as a retailer? I can buy Windows 8 (Amazon.com: Windows 8 System Builder DVD 32-Bit: Software) or Windows 8 Pro (Amazon.com: Windows 8 Professional System Builder DVD 32-Bit: Software) from them today.

Microsoft considers System Builder to be a special case, and is not considered "retail" (even though you can buy it from retailers like amazon.. you won't find it in stores like Best Buy. Currently, you can only buy retail copies of Windows 8 Professional (non-system builder) as an upgrade, either from an earlier OS or as an upgrade from Windows 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
Correct - System Builder is technically OEM, and thus (even though you purchase it from retailers) not "retail".
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4790K @ 4.5GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus Hero VII
    Memory
    32GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX970
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 250GB SSD
    4x WD RE 2TB (RAIDZ)
    PSU
    Corsair AX760i
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
This is what I was talking about and keeping the investors happy...

"According to Microsoft Communications Manager Brandon LeBlanc, after January 31, a Windows 8 pro upgrade will cost you $200 ($160 more than it will cost you now), while a basic Windows 8 upgrade will cost $120. A Windows 8 Pro Pack, which you can use to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro if you have the basic version, will cost $100 – $30 more than its current price."
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer V5
    CPU
    i5
    Memory
    6GB
    Hard Drives
    240GB Sandisk SSD
    Internet Speed
    4G/LTE
I'm not sure what you're talking about. This is just the normal price of Windows. Windows 8 was heavily discounted for the first 3 months. Now you're upset that the price has gone back to normal? They didn't have to give you a discount to begin with.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
I'm not sure what you're talking about. This is just the normal price of Windows. Windows 8 was heavily discounted for the first 3 months. Now you're upset that the price has gone back to normal? They didn't have to give you a discount to begin with.
You have explain it to a tee. It would appear the OP is looking to determine if what people are attempting to tell him is for real or not.

To the OP what everyone has been attempting to tell you is the way it is going to be; two version will be put out for sale on Feb. 1, 2013:

Windows 8 - $119.00
Windows 8 Pro $199.00

It really is that easy.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8, (VM win7, XP, Vista)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion p1423w
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
    Motherboard
    Foxconn - 2ADA Ivy Brige
    Memory
    16 GB 1066MHz DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5450
    Sound Card
    HD Realteck (Onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Mitsubishi LED TV/Montior HD, Dell 23 HD, Hanspree 25" HD
    Screen Resolution
    Mit. 1980-1080, Dell 2048-115, Hanspree 1920-10802
    Hard Drives
    1 SanDisk 240Gig SSD, 2 Samsung 512Gig SSDs
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Original (Fans)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Keyboard 2000
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    1.3 (350 to 1024 if lucky)
    Browser
    Firefox 19.1
    Antivirus
    MSE-Defender
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