windows price differences

j0nnyd · 10 Apr 2007 at 18:08

hi,

i need to get a new OS. ive been looking on overclockers and the prices are generally around £50-100.

I then looked at high street stores such as dixons, pc world etc as im pretty impatient and was thinking of going out and picking one up instantly and the prices are £200-350!?

why the huge difference? i can find upgrades at the high street shops for around £80 but can i use an upgrade for a brand new build?

thanks for your time!

jonny

Ronaldo · 10 Apr 2007 at 18:10

shops only sell retail, OCUK/other etailers r selling OEM versions which are cheaper but can only be installed and activated once

j0nnyd · 10 Apr 2007 at 18:13

if i install it once with the new build then have to re-format the hard drive at some point, can i still install the oem copy on the system again?

or is it literally only a one time one off install?

bledd · 10 Apr 2007 at 18:15

Ronaldo said:
shops only sell retail, OCUK/other etailers r selling OEM versions which are cheaper but can only be installed and activated once

they can be activated infinity times, but only on one pc

j0nnyd · 10 Apr 2007 at 18:19

do u mean one pc at any one time?

i.e eventually if i get rid of my current pc or stop using it, could i then install it on a new one if thats the only one im using?

bledd · 10 Apr 2007 at 18:33

only with one pc, that's why it's so cheap

when you come to try and activate it again, it'll say "phone ms", then they'll say "sorry sir, you cannot do that, please buy another oem copy, or a retail copy for unlimited transfers"

etc

gareth170 · 10 Apr 2007 at 19:34

bledd. said:
only with one pc, that's why it's so cheap

when you come to try and activate it again, it'll say "phone ms", then they'll say "sorry sir, you cannot do that, please buy another oem copy, or a retail copy for unlimited transfers"

etc

u can upgrade everything except the motherboard, and be able to reactivate..

stoofa · 11 Apr 2007 at 00:39

j0nnyd said:
do u mean one pc at any one time?

i.e eventually if i get rid of my current pc or stop using it, could i then install it on a new one if thats the only one im using?

Part of the OEM license says that the OS cannot be transferred from one machine to another.
Retail versions of the OS are more expensive, however they are ultimately more flexible with regards the license.
If you decide to spend that bit more now and take the Retail route then you will buy an OS that you can legally move from PC to PC - it will last you the length of time that Vista remains the OS to use.
With an OEM copy you could consider it a flase economy, save money now but end up buying multiple copies over the x years Vista is around for.

Before you get upset by the retail prices remember retail upgrades can be good value and you only need to buy the version of Vista that contains the feature you need.
Vista Ultimate is expensive, but ask yourself if you need all the extra features it contains.