Hasta La Gadget!

For those who are interested in reserving your copy of Windows 8 Pro, you can do so today, in addition to placing pre-orders for Windows 8 computers as well. The cost of reserving a packaged DVD of the upgrade to Windows 8 Pro would be $69.99, and when you finally have the package safe and sound in your hands, you will find the exterior to be refreshingly different, just like how the entire Windows ecosystem has been reimagined. Depending on random luck, the Windows 8 Pro upgrade package will feature one of 5 vibrant illustrations. Not only that, Microsoft has taken the greener route by using paper based materials (other than the DVD of course), a move that resulted in an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption. Not only that, the total packaging weight will make Weight Watchers smile, as there is a slimming factor of 41%.

Amazon.com, Best Buy, Staples, Office Depot and the Microsoft Store and many other retailers will offer the Windows 8 Pro when it is available. Folks who prefer to wait it out until October 26th will be able to retrive the upgrade online via Windows.com using the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant, where you will obviously fork out a cheaper $39.99 rate for obvious reasons – there is no packaging to worry about, and neither do you need to fret over the package arriving in front of your doorstep.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Microsoft opens $14.99 Windows 8 upgrade offer registration , Windows 8 Pro upgrade available for $39.99,

Found along the sidelines of Panasonic’s CEATEC booth, the AX series Ultrabook is a foldable hybrid that will be arriving in Japanese stores later this month. Ready to launch with Windows 8 (both standard or Pro) built-in, the Ultrabook houses a 11.6-inch touch display at the ever-popular 1,366 x 768 resolution, although it feels a little on the thick side, and is unmistakably Panasonic in its styling. Connectivity options are legion, with two USB 3.0 ports on the right edge, accompanied by HDMI socket. On the other side, there’s an SD card reader, ethernet, power, mic and headphone ports. The hinge seems suitably solid, and while that touchscreen isn’t the most attractive we’ve seen on Windows 8 hardware, the keyboard felt pretty similar to existing business laptops and our fingertips had plenty of space. Otherwise, we were left to play with a Japanese iteration of Windows 8, which seemed nice and responsive in both tablet and notebook setups, although our playtime was limited.

The AX series will launch in Japan on October 26th in three different permutations, starting with an Intel Core i5 processor clocked at 1.7GHz or 1.8GHz, and a Core i7 at 1.9GHz. There’s 4GB of memory and a 128GB SDD in all three, while the hybrid bucks the trend by offering a removable battery, with both the faster Core i5 and the Core i7 models coming with an extra cell bundled in. That top-end processor will also arrive with connectable projector for business types. Check out our brief hands-on after the break, or hit the source for the full list of specs.

Continue reading Panasonic shows off foldable Windows 8 Ultrabook hybrid, launches October 26 (hands-on)

Filed under: Laptops, Tablets

Panasonic shows off foldable Windows 8 Ultrabook hybrid, launches October 26 (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 08:51:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Panasonic  | Email this | Comments

With Windows 8 coming out this fall, many recent PC customers were angry at first due to their buying a computer with Windows 7 when Windows 8 was coming out in a couple months. Microsoft then announced in the beginning of June that anyone who purchased a PC with Windows 7 between  June 2nd, 2012 and January 31st, 2013 would be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for a mere $14.99. Today, Microsoft opened the registration for the $14.99 upgrade promotion.

In order to take part in the promotion, you’ll need to head to the Windows Upgrade Offer site and enter your 25-digit Windows 7 product key. Promo codes will be sent out starting October 26th via email and can be applied in checkout within the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant. You’ll have until February 28, 2013 to register for the offer. If you bought your Windows 7 PC before June 2nd 2012, you’ll be able to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro starting October 26th for $39.99. Let us know in the comments section below if you bought a Windows 7 PC before June 2nd, 2012 and if you plan on using the promotion to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $14.99 or if you have any difficulties in the process.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Windows 8 Pro upgrade available for $39.99, Acer states their commitment in developing Windows RT hardware,

Microsoft has done a good job making sure that everyone is able to upgrade to its newest operating system. To start they’ve made it available to all PC users who are currently running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7. The upgrade is available for the surprisingly low price of $39.99 compared to what it has been in the past. It is also available in 131 markets currently.

(more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: SkyDrive Wave 5 to offer unlimited photo and document storage , Microsoft registers new Xbox-related domain names,