Microsoft has let slip the packaging design for Windows 8 Professional. With this, we can infer that a similar situation will take place with Windows 8 standard. The packaging is now completely paper-based, except, of course, for the DVD. This has several advantages for Microsoft, and will help to make them a "greener" company.

For one, the new packaging is 41 percent lighter, which will see Microsoft having to pay less for shipping the software. This, in turn, reduces fuel consumption for shipping the software. Combine this with the fact that plastic is made from petroleum, and you find that this change will result in an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption.

[img]2[/img]

The packaging for pro will come in 5 different designs, two of which we have included here. Hit up the source link to see the rest. Pre-orders have also opened for the operating system. Windows 8 Standard will set you back $100 and Pro will set a purchaser back $140, not exactly unreasonable prices.