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Microsoft opened up pre-orders for several upcoming products on Friday, giving people the opportunity to be among the first to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro or get their hands on a Windows 8 device. The company announced in a blog post that consumers can now reserve a copy of its Windows 8 Pro upgrade package, as well as pre-order Windows 8 devices from select manufacturing partners.
Microsoft is making the $70 physical Windows 8 upgrade package available through several retailers. In the U.S., you can start pre-ordering through the Microsoft online store, Amazon, Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, and local stores.
But pre-ordering a boxed version of the software won't make the most sense for budget-conscious -- or just practical -- consumers. Starting Oct. 26, consumers who purchased a Windows 7 device between June 2, 2012 and Jan. 3, 2013 can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $15 through Windows.com, while others users with Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 will be able to upgrade online for $40.
Many Windows 8 PCs, tablet, and hybrids -- or laplets, as Gadget Lab likes to call them -- are also on show for pre-order Friday. Specifically, devices from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Samsung and Sony are available. Most of these have an estimated delivery date between 14 and 21 days, putting arrivals between Oct. 26 and Nov. 2. For example, Dell's online store says that its devices will ship Oct. 25. Dell also announced that its convertible laptop, the XPS 12, will be available for $1200.
While most manufacturers have released pricing details for upcoming Windows 8 devices, Microsoft has yet to reveal how much its Surface RT tablet will cost. And there are even fewer details about Surface Pro, the version of the tablet running Windows 8 Pro, which does not yet have a set release date or price.
