OEM vs Retail

DJ_Hughesy

DJ_Hughesy

DJ_Hughesy

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win7 oem or retail

i want home edition, ill be using 64bit.. ill probably use it on future pc's
am i better off paying more for retail or should i be cheap n go oem?

whats the diference?

are there any restrictions to oem win7? ie win vista i have now is oem n doesnt allow me to install onto a 2nd pc after i wipe this one, as in ms dont like you to

help please guys :)
 
so for my new build im buying hopefully to last me another 3-4 years should i go retail or oem?

i read somewere that if/when u do upgrade your mobo you can just tell ms it was faulty and it impossible to replace with same model so had to put a new mobo in an theyl throw you a new code seeing as your technicaly the OEM system builder or something is this true?

so do i buy oem or pay the extra for retail?
 
DJ_Hughesy said:
so for my new build im buying hopefully to last me another 3-4 years should i go retail or oem?

i read somewere that if/when u do upgrade your mobo you can just tell ms it was faulty and it impossible to replace with same model so had to put a new mobo in an theyl throw you a new code seeing as your technicaly the OEM system builder or something is this true?

so do i buy oem or pay the extra for retail?
Click to expand...

Do the maths.
Let us assume in the next 3 years you will build 3 new computers:

Retail Route:

Home Premium Retail - £125
Total - £125

OEM Route

Home Premium 64bit OEM - £79.99
Home Premium 64bit OEM - £79.99
Home Premium 64bit OEM - £79.99
Total - £239.97

I know which option I'd go for.
 
My retail copy keeps making me do phone activations now :(

But yes, its been a god send having a retail copy, as I've gone from having a PC, to no PC and having w7 in bootcamp on my MBP, to having a temp laptop to install it on, then having another pc, upgrading to SB etc.

Windows for life* (Well, until they release another copy). But then I paid something like £30 when I pre-ordered it.
 
Sorry to kinda hijack the thread, stupid question time.

I'm fed up with Vista's audio stuttering (tried numerous sound cards, taking sound from graphics cards, nothing seems to fix it, seems to be something to do with the Microsoft Zune Marketplace software), and was looking into going to Windows 7 which would hopefully fix it, and realised that I can "upgrade" to 7 without a clean install. Probably not the best idea ever but i'm feeling lazy and if it works for a while I'll be happy.

I'm assuming it does, but wanted to make sure, if I bought a full retail copy of Windows 7, can I use this to upgrade from Vista?
 
My retail copy gives me an upgrade option when I'm installing, but no idea if you can upgrade from Vista. Not that I'd really recommend it anyway - go for a clean install.
 
I intend to when I pick up a new graphics card, the audio stutters just really aggravating and wanted a quick fix till I complete my last few installed games.

Won't hurt to give it a go with the upgrade, and if it goes to pot i'll just do a clean install.
 
DJ_Hughesy said:
so for my new build im buying hopefully to last me another 3-4 years should i go retail or oem?
Click to expand...

If the PC you're building is going to last 3-4 years without motherboard change, get OEM.

In 3-4 years it'll be Windows 8 or 9.
 
Tomsk said:
If the PC you're building is going to last 3-4 years without motherboard change, get OEM.

In 3-4 years it'll be Windows 8 or 9.
Click to expand...

But if he buys retail now, he would then be able to buy the much cheaper "Windows 8 or Windows 9 upgrade".
This will upgrade his retail Win7 license to a retail Win8 or Win9 license - still giving him the ability to move the license around as much as he likes.

Sure he can still buy the upgrade with OEM, however all that does is upgrade his Win7 OEM license to a Win8 or Win9 OEM license - so still tied to the one machine.
 
stoofa said:
But if he buys retail now, he would then be able to buy the much cheaper "Windows 8 or Windows 9 upgrade".
This will upgrade his retail Win7 license to a retail Win8 or Win9 license - still giving him the ability to move the license around as much as he likes.

Sure he can still buy the upgrade with OEM, however all that does is upgrade his Win7 OEM license to a Win8 or Win9 OEM license - so still tied to the one machine.
Click to expand...

but been im technicaly the system builder, ive read somewere the decision to replace the mobo with a diferent one is my choice and all it takes is a quick phonecall to ms to say replacing with same make/model was impossible n they will give you a new key?
 
DJ_Hughesy said:
but been im technicaly the system builder, ive read somewere the decision to replace the mobo with a diferent one is my choice and all it takes is a quick phonecall to ms to say replacing with same make/model was impossible n they will give you a new key?
Click to expand...

System Builders can't build a machine for themselves as they can't satisfy the System Builder Licence.
 
Burnsy2023 said:
System Builders can't build a machine for themselves as they can't satisfy the System Builder Licence.
Click to expand...

Plus the license says you can only change the mobo if the previous mobo is defective and the same model is no longer available as a replacement.

So to sum up the great advice in this thread:

Don't be a cheap sod! Get Retail! Less hassle all round. :)
 
SiriusB said:
Plus the license says you can only change the mobo if the previous mobo is defective and the same model is no longer available as a replacement.

So to sum up the great advice in this thread:

Don't be a cheap sod! Get Retail! Less hassle all round. :)
Click to expand...

true.. but some of us need to be cheap :P
 
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