Upgrading to Windows 8

Upgrading to Windows 8

Now that you've seen some of the new features that Windows 8 has to offer, you'll need to decide whether you should upgrade an existing computer, or buy a new computer or tablet that has Windows 8 pre-installed.


In this lesson, we'll talk about the different Windows 8 editions that you can buy, the hardware requirements, and how to buy Windows 8.
                                                                                             Windows 8
Windows 8 Editions and Pricing
There are three main editions of Windows 8:

• Windows 8: This is the standard edition, and it will run on desktops, laptops, and some tablets.

• Windows 8 Pro: This gives you all of the features of Windows 8, as well as some extra features intended for advanced users and businesses. For example, people who need more security can use BitLocker to encrypt their files.

• Windows RT: This is the edition that most tablets will have. It may also be used by some budget laptops and netbooks. Windows RT comes pre-installed with a version of Microsoft Office that is optimized for touchscreens.

If you have an earlier version of Windows, you can go to the Buy Windows 8 page to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $39.99. It is also available in stores for $69.99. However, in January 2013, the price is expected to go up to $199.99 for Windows 8 Pro and $119.99 for the standard edition.

For a complete list of differences between Windows 8 editions, go to the Which Windows is right for you? page.

Windows 8 Tablets

If you want to use Windows 8 on a tablet, you'll need to buy a tablet that has Windows 8 pre-installed, such as the Microsoft Surface. The Surface comes in two versions: A cheaper version that runs Windows RT, and a more powerful version that runs Windows 8 Pro. Other companies are expected to release Windows 8 tablets over the next few months.

                                                                                                          Window RT