Microsoft pulls last lever, discounts Windows 8 to...

Apparently 8 sales haven't been as good as many would like to believe? MS dropping prices again.

Microsoft pulls last lever, discounts Windows 8 to OEMs to spark sales

Reports claim Microsoft's slashed Windows prices for smaller touchscreen notebooks and tablets

By Gregg Keizer
March 6, 2013 12:28 PM ET

Computerworld - Microsoft has done something it's historically been loath to do: discount prices for the copies of Windows it sells to computer makers, online reports said today.

Both the Wall Street Journal and the Asian electronics supply chain publication DigiTimes published reports claiming that Microsoft has cut prices of Windows 8 and Office 2013 in an attempt to spark sales.

"They've always held [pricing] close to the vest," said Allan Krans, an analyst with Technology Business Research, in a Wednesday interview. "They've always been insistent on maintaining that pricing, but a discount makes sense, given the holiday season, the back-and-forth with the OEMs and the slow start to the Surface."

Windows 8, which launched in October, has struggled to gain traction, and failed to trigger a boost in PC sales, as new editions have done in the past.

Earlier this week, for instance, research firm IDC said global PC sales would contract 1.3% this year, a drop atop 2012's even-larger slump of 3.7%. IDC cited an "underwhelming reception" to Windows 8 as one of several factors that will lead to a second-consecutive year of declining PC sales.

see full report
 
I was so hoping they were bringing the $39 upgrade back. I need 2 more licenses for 8 but didn't have the cash in Jan.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z77 Extreme4
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" 24"
    Hard Drives
    1 TB WD
    PSU
    550w
Maybe. Hard to tell.

You can still get the upgrade with media at the promo prices - there are plenty around - all over Europe. Amazon, cclonline, and several others.

No idea about the US.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I was so hoping they were bringing the $39 upgrade back. I need 2 more licenses for 8 but didn't have the cash in Jan.
I'd have a hunt around, I've still seen some in Australia. Try EBay or just do a search on the net.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro/Windows 8 Pro/Windows 7 64 Bit64Bit/Windows XP
Amazon has 8 Pro upgrade listed for $97.49 while other places are running at $99. Now the real deal seen at this time however is for the 8 Pro System Builders one flavor 64bit not both as you would see with the retail upgrade for both 32bit and 64bit media. Amazon.com: Windows 8 System Builder DVD 64-Bit: Software

Once you go to a place like Amazon or buy.com if not another shopping site you can generally find a list of vendors carrying the same thing to price compare each one as well as each site you go to with a fast search. Since 8 is just out everyone is carrying it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    1st W10 Professional x64/W7 Ultimate x64 - 2nd Remote system: W10 Insider Builds/W7 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Builds
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 975 Deneb 3.6ghz -2nd case AMD Atholon II 3.2ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4
    Memory
    Kingston Hyper-X DDR3 1600mhz 16gb - 2nd case Kingston Hyper-X "Fury" DDR3 1600mhz 8gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI Radeon HD 5750 1gb - 2nd AMD Radeon 6450
    Sound Card
    Creative Xtreme Gamer - 2nd case Realtek Onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer 19" dual monitor setup - 2nd case HP 20" lcd
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900 same on both builds
    Hard Drives
    1st build
    WD Caviar Black Edition Sata II 1tb two OS drives
    WD RE "Heavy Duty Sata II 2tb two Storage/Backup
    2nd build
    WD Blue Sata II 500gb
    WD Black Edition Sata III 1tb
    WD Green Power Sata II 1tb in external usb enclosure
    PSU
    Corsair TX750H 750w -Corsair 500w
    Case
    Antec 900-2 -NXZT Vulcan Mini tower/carrying handle
    Cooling
    120mm front pair, 120 rear 200cm top - 120mm Front intake 200mm side cover
    Keyboard
    Azio Blue led back lit both builds.
    Mouse
    MSI DS200 11 button programmable Gaming optical mouse - Odessa 3 button dual scroll trackball
    Internet Speed
    30mbps
    Other Info
    two MSI 22x ide dvd burners, 25 usb flash drives used for Linux Live, live data recovery 128gb, and Windows 7, 10 usb installation keys
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