Are you on the fence about buying a new computer because you don't want to be stuck with yesterday's OS when Microsoft releases Windows 8 later this year? Fear not for Microsoft will be providing a cheap upgrade path to Windows 8 if you purchase a new PC running Windows 7 after June 2.
Consumers that purchase a PC after June 2 will be eligible to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for just $14.99, similar to other deals that Microsoft has offered in the past. The idea is to try and prevent a sales drought as the release of a new operating system approaches.
The promotion was first mentioned by CNET last week but at the time, the upgrade fee was unknown. It is believed that Microsoft is charging a small fee because they are providing a premium version of Windows instead of the entry-level version.
The deal just happens to coincide with the release of the final Windows 8 beta, otherwise known as the Release Candidate. Microsoft has said that the RC will be available the first week of June while many expect the full retail version to ship later this year, likely in October.
WinSuperSite also claims that Microsoft will be providing in-the-box upgrades to Windows 8 users much like they did with the Windows Anytime Upgrade system. This would allow Win 8 users to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro and Windows Media Center although there's no word yet on how much these upgrades will cost.