Why is OEM W7 more expensive than full retail?

Merlin5

Merlin5

Merlin5

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I've noticed some places selling OEM W7 home premium for almost £20 more than OCuk and other etailers fully boxed retail versions. How does that work? Doesn't make sense :confused:
 
Because the retail editions are being heavily discounted, and the OEM licences are not. Microsoft want to make money, and they will do that by shipping as many retail boxes as possible. They know they are going to get the system builder's business anyway, so why discount them?
 
Memphis said:
Because the retail editions are being heavily discounted, and the OEM licences are not. Microsoft want to make money, and they will do that by shipping as many retail boxes as possible. They know they are going to get the system builder's business anyway, so why discount them?
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Why would a system builder not want to buy the cheaper full retail? I don't really understand the differences.
 
One of two things will happen

1. The retail boxed product will shoot back up to normal prices after launch.
2. OEM product will be reduced significantly.

Lets be honest its going to be option 1.
 
If you pre-order for full retail version then you get cheap price before 22nd Oct that would save your money - OEM is only stick one motherboard after activation so you cannot upgrade Mobo in the future as retail can let you
 
They way I understand it is this: OEM is designed for the companies who build and sell PCs. HP, Dell, Alienware, etc etc. They usually don't expect people to upgrade their motherboard. They usually don't or can't. That's where MS can make a lot of money. The retail versions, are really for people who change their mobos a lot. Or, who want to move the software around when they buy a new PC. Bit like the majority of people here. The retail versions, were also mainly discounted because of the whole IE issue with the EU. Because we couldn't upgrade originally, MS had to sell retail at upgrade prices within the EU. At the least European Commission did something right =p

That is why the full retail versions are so cheap. MS couldn't really go back on the deal given how many people had pre-ordered Windows 7 by the time they announced we would be getting Windows 7 Full, not Windows 7 E.
 
Just to clarify and build on what everyone has already said, when I said "system builders", I meant the likes of Dell, HP, etc. Microsoft make the OEM money from them, and their not likely to give them a discount are they? :)

It also moves the enthusiasts on to the retail product, which fits more nicely in line with conditions under which Microsoft sell the OEM product which should mean us enthusiasts don't use it and buy retail.
 
Memphis said:
Just to clarify and build on what everyone has already said, when I said "system builders", I meant the likes of Dell, HP, etc. Microsoft make the OEM money from them, and their not likely to give them a discount are they? :)

It also moves the enthusiasts on to the retail product, which fits more nicely in line with conditions under which Microsoft sell the OEM product which should mean us enthusiasts don't use it and buy retail.
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Well I know I'm being thick about this, but what is the difference between OEM and full retail? If an OEM is being sold on a website, why would a company or ANYONE buy it if it's the same product as the cheaper retail, just without the box?
 
The only difference between OEM and retail is that OEM can only be installed on one motherboard. And it ties itself to that. Also, OEM usually only comes in 32-bit OR 64-bit version. With retail, you get both in one package. OEM is usually cheaper (as far as I know) than retail. But because of the whole EU thing with Windows 7 E, and then it being cancelled, Microsoft offered retail Windows 7 at Upgrade prices. That's the only reason retail is cheaper than OEM currently. If this was a normal Windows 7 launch (no super cheap prices) OEM would be cheaper (as far as I know).
 
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Maximum RAM for 64bit W7 changes based on which version you use. I think Home Premium is capped at 24GB. Pro and Ultimate, I think the cap is 128GB.
 
Really 24GB that was more that I thought it would be able to take. Thanks,

Bloody hell, how could you get 128GB, cant wait for that day, mind you knowing technology it will probably be this time next year
 
Yes 64bits can go up much higher but dont excess the motherboard max RAM -- most Intel Socket 775 is 8GB (some are 16GB and AMD (AM2/AM2+/AM3) are 16GB and Intel new i5/i7 max is 24GB - in the future it may go much higher. Server motherboard max is 64GB (some more than 64GB). Home is 16GB and Pro/Ultimate are 192GB
 
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