Installing OS to a XOTIC Ultrabook with Only Drivers and Utility Software?

So this forum led me to the XOTIC website that I didn't previously know about. I was tinkering around with a theoretical build for a Sager NP6110 / Clevo W110ER when I noticed that they allow the option of purchasing the computer with only driver and utility software installed. Cool feature; however, on an Ultrabook like this, how does one install Windows or Linux separately without the optical drive? Typically you'd just insert an installation CD. If you already had a starter version of Windows running you could even just use a program like Daemon Tools to mount an ISO of a Windows full version CD, or I suppose cloning software to copy a hard drive already running Windows to the new Ultrabook's drive.

But without the optical drive, and without Windows to install/run mounting or cloning software, how do you install Windows/Linux in the first place?

 

Microsoft offers a downloadable tool that converts a Windows installation ISO to a bootable USB thumb drive.

Once you create it, leave the drive in your computer, reboot, press whatever function key takes you to the BIOS boot menu (typically F12), select the thumb drive, then the Windows installer will launch as normal.

 

Slick. Gracias.

 

Aye. You can use the Windows 7 USB tool to create a bootable USB drive. There are other options, but that one is straight from the horses mouth and works well. And although the instructions say it's for Windows 7, it works for Windows 8 USB installations as well.