Microsoft Now Accepting Windows 8 Pre-Orders

Microsoft today started accepting pre-orders for the boxed version of Windows 8 Pro, which will be released on Oct. 26. Several PC makers also started taking pre-orders for their Windows 8-based devices.

Consumers who want the DVD version of Windows 8 can pre-order the new operating system in the U.S. for $69.99 from Amazon, Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot, and the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft spokesman Brandon LeBlanc talked up the packaging, which comes in a variety of colors and is composed entirely of paper-based materials, save for the Windows 8 DVD. That "allowed us to make an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption. And we've reduced the packaging weight by 41 percent," he wrote in a blog post.

For those who want a new PC to go along with the new OS, partners like , Asus, , , Samsung, and are also now accepting pre-orders for their Windows 8 PCs.

Of course, if you have an acceptable PC and want to upgrade to Windows 8 without the hassle of a boxed product, you can also purchase the Windows 8 upgrade via Windows.com for $39.99. The online and boxed upgrade options, however, only run through Jan. 31, 2013 so make the move sooner rather than later.

If you purchased a Windows 7 PC since June 2, meanwhile, you can get a Windows 8 upgrade for $14.99 starting Oct. 26.

Microsoft this week to Windows 8 in advance of its final release. The company is reportedly spending more than $1 billion on the marketing campaign for Windows 8; several ads , but were promptly pulled offline by Redmond.

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