How come?

That's about the going rate for an OEM version of the OS.
However you need to remember that as soon as you replace your motherboard in the future you will need to buy a new copy to stay license legal.
If you think you're going to buy three new motherboards over the lifetime of Vista you're better off buying Retail as you can move that version from machine to machine.
 
So say the mobo broke i would have to purchase a new copy to get it activated?

Can you not say that it broke and phone them up?

Lucky i have upgrade to C2D then ^^
 
Vista Home Premium OEM ~ £65
Vista Home Premium Retail ~ £170

Both are 'full' versions, not 'upgrades'.

The main difference is that 'OEM' means you can only install it on one machine. It is tied to the motherboard of the machine, and if you want to move it to a new machine then you aren't allowed.

'Retail' is also only allowed to be installed on one machine at a time. But with 'Retail', you are allowed to uninstall it from that machine, and then move it to another machine (so long as it is only ever on one machine at a time).

Hope that helps :)
 
Thanks Div0 - that made it very very clear :).

very much doubt i will upgrade my mobo for a long time as it supports dual core so i believe i will go ahead and buy :)

Thanks again all.
Chris
 
ClaritY^ said:
So say the mobo broke i would have to purchase a new copy to get it activated?

Can you not say that it broke and phone them up?
Click to expand...

If the mobo breaks and is replaced under warrantly as an RMA, then you are allowed to install the OEM version on the replacement system.

Other reason's for replacing the mobo (such as an upgrade) are not permitted under the OEM licence.

NOTE: MS may allow you to Activate on an 'upgraded' motherboard. They are mainly interested that you only have it installed on one machine. But technically under the OEM licence they don't have to re-activate for you if you've changed the mobo (apart from for an RMA) - if they do re-activate then that may be all that you care about, but technically your OEM version is then no more 'legal' than any other cracked copy. But that's a specific issue, some people feel happy so long as MS are happy to Activate.
 
No probs :)

If you don't plan on upgrading your mobo regularly over the next few years, then OEM is the right way to go! :)

I've just bought Vista Home Premium OEM (x64) myself - very happy. :D
 
div0 said:
Both are 'full' versions, not 'upgrades'.
Click to expand...

Bare in mind that you can do a upgrade installation from a FPP (retail copy) but you can't from an OEM copy.

And christ Div0, cut it out ot you'll put me out of a job :D

Burnsy
 
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