Buying Win8

sahara

Member
Member
Messages
26
Hi I would like to buy Windows8 Upgrade and was wondering if its maybe better to wait untill Win8.1 comes- maybe it will be sold as a win8.1 update/Iso...??
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windws7,32bit+ubuntu, 64bit. (Multi-boot)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hi, Sahara. It depends on how much faith you have in upgrades. Personally, and I think I can speak for a lot of members here, upgrades are a PITA. More problems with them than what they're worth.

It's like buying a used car. One really never knows what one is getting. One can upgrade the car by changing fluids and parts, but in the end one still doesn't know what one has. It's never going to be like a brand new car.

It remains yet to be seen, it doesn't look like we'll get an ISO for 8.1. Those who do not have a MSDN subscription will have to upgrade via the store. At least that's the way its looking now.

Personally, if I were you, I would wait to get the disc.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
There's also the issue of pricing... will Microsoft have a promotional price for the 8.1 Upgrade like they did for Windows 8 last year?

They've a lot of people that they'd like to move off XP, so it might happen.

Or will prices actually go because Windows 8.1 is "better" (in Microsoft's view at least) than 8?

I think if I was looking to upgrade from 7 or earlier, I'd gamble on holding off for a while, unless I needed to do it urgently. More details will presumably emerge soon on how the upgrade will work, and what pricing will be for people who don't already have 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
Hard to tell. Price is marketing tool. Likely there will be a very low upgrade deal, MS are desperate to get people onto this thing. They are angling for a continuing income stream from the users afterwards. Once the users have this thing, it sits there like a tick.

It is a different business model. They have reduced the license fees for oems and are handing out subsidies. Lenovo will allegedly release an 8" tablet at $249.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    7/8/ubuntu/Linux Deepin
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hi, Sahara. It depends on how much faith you have in upgrades. Personally, and I think I can speak for a lot of members here, upgrades are a PITA. More problems with them than what they're worth.
Really? I didnt know that upgrades are problematic, I thought it would be easy to burn a cd from the upgrade and the problem is solved...? Its also much cheaper then buying the Oem Version.
But I never bought Windows before, I got Win7 with the laptop, already installed and for Win8 I used the Evaluation Version, but now its time to buy one...do I have to expect problems with the upgrade version?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windws7,32bit+ubuntu, 64bit. (Multi-boot)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
It's a bit confusing on terminology here. Just like my car analogy > Upgrade can either mean > 1. Obtaining the new edition of an OS via disc (purchased or download ISO) for fresh install that replaces the original OS (Brand new car) > or > 2. Upgrading via a download, which keeps certain files needed, deletes those that need to be replaced, and installs any new files needed to make it the new edition (used car removing old parts with new ones trying to replicate a new car). Too much can go wrong during that process. It really never seems to install well. Many members will attest to that I'm sure.

One is better off purchasing the disc for fresh install. Discs are also convenient for repair.

I hope that helps.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer T690
    CPU
    Intel Pentium D Dual Core
    Motherboard
    Acer/Intel E946GZ
    Memory
    2GB (max upgrade)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3000 - PCI Express x16
    Sound Card
    Integrated RealTek ALC888 high-definition audio with 7.1 channel audio support
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer AL1917W A LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1440 X 900
    Hard Drives
    350 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10
    Thumb drives
    PSU
    Standard 250 watt
    Case
    Desktop 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.5" (445mm) L x 14.5"
    Cooling
    Dual case fans + CPU fan
    Keyboard
    Acer Windows PS/2
    Mouse
    Wireless Microsoft Arc
    Internet Speed
    54mbp/s
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    Office Pro 2013 / Nokia Lumia 1520 Windows Phone 8.1DP GDR1
Hi, Sahara. It depends on how much faith you have in upgrades. Personally, and I think I can speak for a lot of members here, upgrades are a PITA. More problems with them than what they're worth.
Really? I didnt know that upgrades are problematic, I thought it would be easy to burn a cd from the upgrade and the problem is solved...? Its also much cheaper then buying the Oem Version.
But I never bought Windows before, I got Win7 with the laptop, already installed and for Win8 I used the Evaluation Version, but now its time to buy one...do I have to expect problems with the upgrade version?

With just a bit more effort, you can also do a clean install with the Win 8 Upgrade disc:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/13375-clean-install-windows-8-upgrade.html

However, many valid opinions and concerns have been expressed in this thread so I guess you'll just have to weigh all the options and make a final decision. Good luck with that decision BTW. Cheers!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel G2020
    Motherboard
    ASRock B75M-DGS R2.0
    Memory
    8GBs @ 1333 MHz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 840 EVO
    PSU
    400w
    Internet Speed
    57/11
Thanks or the Informations!
So I will wait of the official 8.1 and then buy Win8/8.1-Upgrade for a clean install...:)

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windws7,32bit+ubuntu, 64bit. (Multi-boot)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hi Sahara,

It looks like Microsoft have announced some details of how the upgrades from Windows 7 to 8.1 will work and be priced (in the US at least).
http://www.eightforums.com/windows-8-news/31519-pricing-packaging-windows-8-1-a.html

The good news is that it looks very likely that Microsoft will sell you an ISO file, and there's no longer a separate upgrade version of Windows 8.1; the same product can be installed either on a brand new machine or VM, or upgrade from an earlier version.

The bad news is that there's no introductory discount pricing for 8.1, at least in the US.
Edit: I missed this in the blog post 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? Perhaps worth waiting a little longer for more price info to emerge.

[DEL]Depending on pricing where you are, it may be cheaper to buy an Upgrade version of 8.0 now, and upgrade it for free to 8.1 later, but you lose the benefits of being able to do a clean install.[/DEL]
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
Thank you for the update!
I dont understand it with the upgrade version, is there a case where it wont be possible to make a clean install with the Upgrade version? How is it bossible "to lose the benefit of a clean install"?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windws7,32bit+ubuntu, 64bit. (Multi-boot)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
For people who have Windows 8 already, Microsoft's standard upgrade route to Windows 8.1 will be a free upgrade using the Windows Store.

If you use this then your system will end up as a mixture of Windows 8 (and whatever settings and software you installed there) and Windows 8.1.

If you use the retail version of Windows 8.1, once it's available in October, you will most likely be able to do a clean install which means you will start from a "pure" Windows 8.1 install, with only the files which Microsoft put into that installation set.

Clean Installs are less complicated and therefore have fewer problems. Even Microsoft have stopped offering upgrade installs from Windows Vista and XP to Windows 8.1, and people will be required to do a clean install from those operating systems, probably because it's more likely to work.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
I wonder if the Win8-upgrade-version would still be sold after 18 October...?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windws7,32bit+ubuntu, 64bit. (Multi-boot)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
I wonder if the Win8-upgrade-version would still be sold after 18 October...?
It's a good question - maybe Microsoft will stop selling it and you may be able to get it for a little longer from stores and online. Not great if you want to upgrade from Vista/XP though and you can't get 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1, 10
If you cannot update from xp or vista to 8.1 then you could simply install w7 unactivated and install that 8.1 upgrade from there.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro mce
Back
Top