Microsoft Sweetens the Deal on Windows 8

Microsoft Windows has always been pricey, but it looks like the software giant is making a move to relieve some of that pressure.

In a somewhat surprising move, Microsoft made a statement yesterday that lowered the price of Windows 8 to around $40, given that customers meet the requirements for the low price.

From Microsoft's Windows Blog, "Starting at general availability, if your PC is running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 you will qualify to download an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for just $39.99..." This seems to follow directly in the footsteps of Apple's recent decisions to lower their OS upgrading prices as well, with the new Mountain Lion OS upgrade honing in on around $20 for current users.

Windows 8 is quite a change in direction for Microsoft's flagship OS, which has always catered to standard desktops ever since the days of MSDOS. The theme of the operating system is called "Metro," and it focuses mainly on touch screens and mobile devices. Even the desktop versions feature a much more mobile feeling, and that has caused a lot of controversy among PC users, especially in the gaming community.

"I like Windows the way it is, the classic desktop feel is what I'm used to. Who knows what will happen if I were to upgrade my PC, what kind of compatibility problems might come up?" said one gamer who insisted that he would wait to upgrade, if ever. "It seems to me like jumping into a pool of water without checking to see how deep it is."

Microsoft, however, has gone a step further in assuring sales for its new product. Customers who purchase a Windows 7 PC between now and January 31, 2013, will be able to upgrade for merely $15. This certainly seems like it is designed to carry Windows through the holidays, which is presumably when Windows 8 will become available to the public.

Windows 8 has a lot riding on its shoulders. The fate of Microsoft's definitive product could be hanging on this single piece of programming. If it holds up, Microsoft stands to catapult itself into even greater riches. If it crashes, then there is no telling what might happen to the software company.

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2012/07/02/upgrade-to-windows-8-pro-for-39-99.aspx