Pricing and Packaging for Windows 8.1

DavidY · Sep 17, 2013

I'm surprised there's no discount offer this time.

This bit puzzles me slightly:

Windows XP & Windows Vista: Windows 8.1 is not designed for installation on devices running Windows XP or Windows Vista. Although not designed or recommended for devices running Windows XP or Windows Vista, consumers still wanting to upgrade from Windows XP or Windows Vista should buy the retail DVD instead of using the download and boot from the DVD to do a clean install of Windows 8.1. Note: files, settings and programs will not transfer – Consumers will need to back up their files and settings, perform clean installation, and then reinstall their files, settings and programs.

Because when Windows 8 came out, there was nothing suggesting that Vista and XP folks shouldn't upgrade to 8, and of course those very same PCs, now they've got Windows 8 running will have to move to 8.1 in 2 years or they will be left unsupported.

Also, what about all those folks with old PCs running XP that will go out of support in April 2014? Are they just expected to trash their hardware?

Also, as the ZDNet article points out:
Microsoft prices Windows 8.1 starting at $119.99 | ZDNet

A couple of readers have noted that XP, Vista and Windows 7 users who want Windows 8.1 would save about $30 to $40 by buying a copy of Windows 8 now at retail and then moving to Windows 8.1 for free. There's nothing illegal about that. Might be a plan for some....

Mystere · Sep 17, 2013

DavidY said:
Because when Windows 8 came out, there was nothing suggesting that Vista and XP folks shouldn't upgrade to 8, and of course those very same PCs, now they've got Windows 8 running will have to move to 8.1 in 2 years or they will be left unsupported.

Also, what about all those folks with old PCs running XP that will go out of support in April 2014? Are they just expected to trash their hardware?

It doesn't say that people running XP shouldn't upgrade. It says that 8.1 was not designed to support upgrading from these systems. It's basically saying that it will not do an upgrade install, not that Windows 8.1 won't work on XP or Vista hardware. Whether or not it will work depends on the hardware though, as 8.1 does require specific hardware features that older XP hardware may not have (you need a processor that has PAE, NX, and SSE2, for instance). Not all XP hardware can run 8.

DavidY · Sep 17, 2013

Mystere said:
It doesn't say that people running XP shouldn't upgrade. It says that 8.1 was not designed to support upgrading from these systems. It's basically saying that it will not do an upgrade install, not that Windows 8.1 won't work on XP or Vista hardware. Whether or not it will work depends on the hardware though, as 8.1 does require specific hardware features that older XP hardware may not have (you need a processor that has PAE, NX, and SSE2, for instance). Not all XP hardware can run 8.

I think I see what you're getting at - it's about the capabilities and design of the installer and install process rather than the OS?

In Windows 8 there was the Upgrade Assistant which would check out the processor features you mention - I wonder if they'll make something similar available for 8.1? Especially if the recommended route to 8.1 is to buy a boxed DVD; you'd really want a method to check that it's got some chance of working, before you buy it.

mcnulty · Sep 17, 2013

$119.99 ERP

Hahaha. For all their claims of being looking into the future with Windows 8, their thinking is still so tied to the past.

DavidY · Sep 17, 2013

I missed this the first time:

More to come on Windows 8.1 including new devices and retail offers as we near October 18th!

So maybe there will be a discounted price for a period after all?

Lee · Sep 17, 2013

DavidY said:
Mystere said:

It doesn't say that people running XP shouldn't upgrade. It says that 8.1 was not designed to support upgrading from these systems. It's basically saying that it will not do an upgrade install, not that Windows 8.1 won't work on XP or Vista hardware. Whether or not it will work depends on the hardware though, as 8.1 does require specific hardware features that older XP hardware may not have (you need a processor that has PAE, NX, and SSE2, for instance). Not all XP hardware can run 8.

Click to expand...

I think I see what you're getting at - it's about the capabilities and design of the installer and install process rather than the OS?

In Windows 8 there was the Upgrade Assistant which would check out the processor features you mention - I wonder if they'll make something similar available for 8.1? Especially if the recommended route to 8.1 is to buy a boxed DVD; you'd really want a method to check that it's got some chance of working, before you buy it.

Will you could go out and buy Mac OS X. . .oh wait you also have to buy the hardware. . . :what:

HerrKaLeun · Sep 17, 2013

Since for home netweork you need the Pro version, you look at $199 for the OS, while even good hardware (inc. SSD) won't cost you more than $400. I realize the OS runs everything, but half the cost of good hardware?

I'm curious to hear if anyone knows how much Dell et al pay. I'm sure they only pay $30 and can pocket the difference. If MS would sell OS to everyone at the same price as the large retailers, more people woudl buy it.

Maybe I should have bought one of the early $40 copies. but i just keep W7 untill W9 comes out or even longer.

No wonder surface et al don't sell well. For $199 I get almost the entire Android pad inc OS.

Even if W8 would function well (i.e. work like W7), why would anyone pay $199 to upgrade from W7 to W8? Especially since one year of service life (of the 10 years support) is already gone at this point.

Mustang · Sep 18, 2013

Does anyone know definitively if it will be possible to download the free upgrade from the store and burn it as n ISO disc from which to do a clean install ... using your existing product key from W8 of course.

DavidY · Sep 18, 2013

Mustang said:
Does anyone know definitively if it will be possible to download the free upgrade from the store and burn it as n ISO disc from which to do a clean install ... using your existing product key from W8 of course.

The best answer I've seen is that there won't be an ISO if you want the free upgrade from 8.

From the MS answer to one of the comments here:
Mark your calendars for Windows 8.1!

Brandon Leblanc said:
Consumers will only be able to get Windows 8.1 for free through the Windows Store. ISO images won’t be made available broadly for consumers.

I assume MSDN/Technet folks are not "consumers" for this purpose, but for everyone else, unless there's a change, it looks like there will be no ISO, unless you want to go out and buy the retail version.

markweatherill · Sep 18, 2013

The discount price for Windows 8 was a major factor in my buying it rather than sticking with XP.I expect a discounted price for 8.1 nearer the release date although I can't see it being such a bargain this time.

alphanumeric · Sep 18, 2013

DavidY said:
Mustang said:

Does anyone know definitively if it will be possible to download the free upgrade from the store and burn it as n ISO disc from which to do a clean install ... using your existing product key from W8 of course.

Click to expand...

The best answer I've seen is that there won't be an ISO if you want the free upgrade from 8.

From the MS answer to one of the comments here:
Mark your calendars for Windows 8.1!

Brandon Leblanc said:

Consumers will only be able to get Windows 8.1 for free through the Windows Store. ISO images won’t be made available broadly for consumers.

Click to expand...

I assume MSDN/Technet folks are not "consumers" for this purpose, but for everyone else, unless there's a change, it looks like there will be no ISO, unless you want to go out and buy the retail version.

That's the way I read things to. No ISO for the average Joe. That may backfire on them though as we all know, upgrade installs almost always have stability and reliability issues. I upgraded to the preview though the store and had issues right away. I ended up reinstalling 8.0 to get back to properly working system. No such issues when doing a clean install of 8.1 RTM on the same laptop. One could argue it was because it was only the preview release so judge for yourself. I don't remember seeing any option to save the update file of ISO when I upgraded though the store. Everything pretty well just ran in the background until I was prompted to reboot. I have a feeling that a few of us here are going to be busy once 8.1 hits the store as an upgrade option.

alphanumeric · Sep 18, 2013

HerrKaLeun said:
Since for home netweork you need the Pro version, you look at $199 for the OS, while even good hardware (inc. SSD) won't cost you more than $400. I realize the OS runs everything, but half the cost of good hardware?

I'm curious to hear if anyone knows how much Dell et al pay. I'm sure they only pay $30 and can pocket the difference. If MS would sell OS to everyone at the same price as the large retailers, more people woudl buy it.

Maybe I should have bought one of the early $40 copies. but i just keep W7 untill W9 comes out or even longer.

No wonder surface et al don't sell well. For $199 I get almost the entire Android pad inc OS.

Even if W8 would function well (i.e. work like W7), why would anyone pay $199 to upgrade from W7 to W8? Especially since one year of service life (of the 10 years support) is already gone at this point.

Why do you need Pro for a Home Network? 8 core will connect to your home network just fine.

Pricing and Packaging for Windows 8.1

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