If you’re planning on buying a PC anytime soon but are waiting until Windows 8 is released, fear not: you’ll be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro once it’s released for a mere $14.99. The paid upgrade will only apply to new PC buyers with Windows 7 Home Basic or above installed.

This is supposed to encourage new PC buyers, and also represent Microsoft’s recommitment to existing users. Microsoft usually does offer a free upgrade to the next version of Windows when it’s released (such as Windows Vista Home Premium to Windows 7 Home Premium), but this time around, there are only two versions of Windows 8. The versions that will be widely available to the public are simply named Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro. There are two more versions for enterprise as well; however, the $14.99 upgrade won’t be applicable in a business situation.

Windows 8 is expected to launch in October, and the final glimpse of the almost-complete program is scheduled for June. It will be downloadable only, but the program is fully testable for businesses and personal users as well. Once October comes around, anyone still using the program on their own personal PCs (when they previously had Windows 7) will be able to purchase the full program for a smidgen under fifteen dollars.

There are a couple of things that Microsoft has already heard complaints about – Windows Media Center will not be included on the basic version of Windows 8 – which is why they chose to offer the Windows 8 Pro upgrade to new and old users instead of the basic version like usual.

It is also speculated that students and academics will get a free pass to the upgrades, but Microsoft has yet to confirm or deny this.

Used with permission from Article Aggregator