I was wondering if you could pre-order Skyrim on Steam and still get whatever pre-order item (considering there is one.)

that seems redundant. isn't the point of preordering; so that you don't have to worry about the game selling out at your store and you have to wait for next shipping. you wont get the game any earlier.

If the item is digital, sure. Personally I don't care much for in-game items though.

Just buy it when it is released. Steam preordering is not really necessary, you can buy it the second of release and download it. And preorder items are pointless on PC as you can mod anything in.

Pretty much; most games can be bought on steam months before they're out, and it's considered a preorder. On the release date, you can begin downloading it. They usually give around a 10% discount and maybe an ingame item or something for preordering. I usually buy games on steam for the ease, but I'm buying CE retail for Skyrim; it's too special in my heart. (That being said, I also hope that despite being retail I can have it on my steam library so I don't have to depend on the disc at all times)

I've already pre-ordered a copy for the 360 at GameStop. I plan to get a PC version when I have an extra 50 burning a hole in my pocket to start modding away.

True, the discount would be the real reason to preorder through steam. There's a host of reasons why such a practice makes sense from a business perspective ... for me personally I won't bother with a steam preorder. Even with the discount games are on par with retail prices :facepalm: