Windows 8 is just a couple of weeks away from arriving on store shelves, but if you want to be first in line, you can pre-order a copy of Windows 8 Pro now. The various Windows 8 machines that have been unveiled over the last few weeks are up for sale, too.
Windows 8 Pro, of course, is the "advanced" version of Windows 8, which includes device encryption and the ability to boot from a virtual hard drive, among other features (here's a full breakdown of Windows 8's suite of products). Microsoft officially opened the doors on pre-orders via this blog post, and pre-ordering gets you an actual, physical DVD copy mailed to you, not just a download. It costs $69.99.
To get it, though, you'll have to go directly to retailers, including Amazon and Best Buy. Some Windows 8 devices are now up for pre-order, too. PCs and tablets from Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Acer, Asus and Sony are now up for pre-order, with the actual machines shipping Oct. 26 or later.
Those machines ship with plain Windows 8, however, though you can take advantage of Microsoft's upgrade offer after you order. Anyone buying a Windows 8 PC up until Jan. 31, 2012 can download a copy of Windows 8 Pro for $39.99. Microsoft offers the online upgrade in 140 countries. And if you buy a Windows 7 machine, you can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro after Oct. 26 for just $14.99 (that offer expires Jan. 31, too).
Microsoft is doing something a little different with the packaging for Windows 8 Pro, offering five different color boxes. The contents are the same for each, of course (though a few hard-core Windows fans may want to collect all five). The packaging is greener than previous versions of Windows as well, Microsoft says, with more paper-based material. The box is lighter as well.