Windows 7: Building a system - OEM or retail

What do you guys who build your own systems do for an OS? I assume you buy OEM right. Is there any advantage besides MS support for retail over OEM? You can only have it installed on 1 system at a time with both.....If you need to change hardware, you can re-install with both right. I am building a system to have ready for RTM of seven. Just looking ahead. OEM or retail? I'm thinking OEM.

I know this has been talked about before and what I a seeing is buy OEM. Do you have a different view?

For me the least amount of money spent is always a factor. Will they offer Ultimate OEM? Then a friend of mine always told me to buy the best that is available, because it would not be the best for very long. Do not know if that applies here. Anyway enjoy your new build, hope the RTM comes soon. lm

Save up the money and go Retail, I wouldn't go OEM for one or 2 machines.

I'm going to sound like a total idiot here, but what is the difference between the OEM and retail?

OEM all the way!!!!

The only difference is the M$ support, which you'll probably never use if you already goto forums anyway!!

Unless you want the spiffy box that the OS comes in then there is absolutely no good reason to spend the extra £40 - £50 for some colorful paper and some plastic........


I also think that as more experienced pc builders/users read this post you're going to have alot of responses exactly like mine...


I know this, as this is what i do.....

One of the benefits of building your own is qualifying for an OEM disc. You would have to be crazy to then pay full retail. Most home builders i know use pirated copies, anyways.

This is the rules to qualify here in Oz.

*** Please note that any OEM operating system can only be sold with at least FIVE internal system hardware***

In the uk you no longer have to purchase any equipment to qualify for an OEM install option..

I think i read that the USA is the same now, however, don't quote me on it

At least here in the USA, there are licensing differences:

• OEM is licensed to a single computer permanently and cannot legally be installed on a second machine (although you are allowed to upgrade components of that original computer, so you've got considerable leeway). If you sell the computer, the OS goes with it -- forever legally married to the nuts and bolts.
• Retail is licensed to a single user for use on one computer at a time and can be moved to a completely difference computer as long as it is removed completely from the previous one. If you sell the computer, you can keep the OS and re-use it. (The second owner of your old hardware is then responsible for his own copy of the OS.)

There are a few other details, including who provides support, but that's the essence of the two licenses.

Considering how many copies of various versions of Windows I own legally, I usually opt for the retail upgrade version. It's less expensive than the regular retail version and I get to call M$ should the need arise.

Hi there
1) OEM usually (significantly) cheaper

2) You can't re-install OEM on a new machine . It's tied to the specific hardware.

Of course whilst there's no STCPUID (Store CPU ID ) instruction yet available in the CPU instruction set you can re-install on an Identical machine or with limited upgrade such as more memory or a different video card. Mobo and CPU must be the same of course.

Retail --

1) More expensive (significantly).
2) You CAN transfer to a new machine. You'll have to activate again by phone and enter a load of numbers manually that the person from the call center gives you.

So "You pays your money and takes your choice".


Hi WEH you beat me to it.


As for calling Microsoft for support -- it's usually the same horror story calling ANY support center by phone these days.

Zillions of useless options -- press 1 for this, 2 for that etc
hideous music
long waits
people at the other end with terrible English -- at least I can't understand but Eng is not my first lang anyway - but even native speakers have the same prob.

You get much better info on boards like this -- Support for a Product is usually VEY LOW on my list of purchasing requirements -- if the support lines are busy it shows there's problems with it. If you research first you can skip the "Excellent support" spiel in the advertising blurb.

BTW sometimes you can skip the whole hideous telephone call center mecahnism by simly calling "SALES". It's amazing if you want to BUY something how quick you actuall get through to a "Real Human".


OT but is there a SINGLE person on Earth now who actually LIKES telephone call centers.


jimbo

Wow thanks for the replies.....I still don't know what to do. LOL