Unlike previous versions of Windows, Windows 8 will not have retail copies that can be installed without owning a license for an older version of Microsoft\u2019s operating system.<\/p>\n
This is according to the business lead for Windows at Microsoft South Africa, Colin Erasmus.<\/p>\n
Erasmus explained that all the retail versions of Windows 8 on sale all over the world, be it Best Buy, Amazon, Newegg, or closer to home at Incredible Connection and Groupon, are upgrades.<\/p>\n
Based on information supplied by Microsoft, this means that users will need a version of Windows XP with Service Pack 3, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 to use a retail pack bought on launch day.<\/p>\n
This raises problems for users who might want to switch from a 32-bit version of the operating system to 64-bit, as Microsoft does not let users upgrade across architectures.<\/p>\n
In this instance, the only thing for such users to do is buy a \u201csystem builder\u201d (OEM\/DSP) version. This has different licensing terms to normal retail copies, as system builder copies of Microsoft\u2019s software are licensed to a computer, not a person.<\/p>\n
According to the Microsoft website, users are allowed to upgrade most hardware without it being considered a new computer. When switching out a motherboard that isn\u2019t defective, however, Microsoft considers a machine a new computer that needs a new OEM license.<\/p>\n
This means that the understanding that Groupon\u2019s special on Windows 8 Pro for R599 was a \u201cfull retail\u201d copy was incorrect.<\/p>\n
The deal is still R100 cheaper than the offer announced by Incredible Connection for R699.95 for the Windows 8 Pro upgrade.<\/p>\n
According to Groupon, the normal price of these upgrades will be around R2,000.<\/p>\n
This is in line with the pricing reported by Best Buy and Amazon who also have Windows 8 Pro available at introductory pricing of around $70, with the normal retail price listed as $200.<\/p>\n
Windows 8 Pro special price extended<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Cheaper Windows 8 Ativ tablet from Standard Bank<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n