What to buy?

jsjslim · 30 Sep 2009

I currently own a desktop and a laptop, and am thinking of getting Win7 Pro for both machines when it gets released.

What should I get?

I'm thinking perhaps a Retail (for my desktop) and a System Builder (for my laptop). Would that be a good choice?

I've read somewhere that the Retail will come with both 32 and 64 bit versions of the OS. Was wondering if I can use a System Builder key for either versions? That way, I can switch between 32 and 64 bit on my laptop.

Or should I just get a family pack (though I've yet to find any 3-pack Win7Pro, only premium and ultimate)?

Thanks.

Night Hawk · 30 Sep 2009

Welcome to the Se7enforums! jsjslim

First off the product key with any OEM disk is limited to that disk alone! One disk per machine according to the MS EULA licensing agreement. The key provided with a 32bit OEM disk wouldn't be good for a second OEM copy of the 64bit edition.

Is that the 32bit or 64bit RC you have on now? If you have the 64bit RC have you tried that out on the laptop?

Antman · 30 Sep 2009

For Xp and Vista, my OEM keys will not work on my Retails DVDs. This due to a line in (Ithink it is called) TXTSETUP.SIF or the like. The files on both DVDs were identical, but not the code numbers inside them.

Night Hawk · 01 Oct 2009

This was intentional by MS there to bind one disk to one machine as far as the OEM system builders type disk. A retail disk on the other allows for consecutive installations assuming you will upgrade hardwares and even move into an entirely new system at some point.

With OEM disks on the otrher hand they die with the system they are sold with as far as custom building for sales. The retail box on the other hand will either have two separate dvds for each editions or possibly the option to install both contained on one disk as some seem to think.

I'll know that one for sure once I talk with someone who attended a 7 launch party and received a free copy of the Ultimate edition(retail but not for resale).

jsjslim · 01 Oct 2009

Hi NightHawk,

Thanks! Glad to be here.

I'm currently using 64bit RC on my laptop. So far it's working fine, but I'm afraid I might want to switch back to 32bit later (who knows, I might get tired of 4GB ram, and want to use 3GB instead. :P).

Hmm, didn't know that an OEM key is tied to the OEM disk/bit version. Thought it was only tied to the hardware. Oh shoot.

Thanks for the input!

Night Hawk · 01 Oct 2009

The 64bit Windows will run even with only 2gb of memory installed. One of the main differences seen with the 64bit kernel however is not being limited to the 3.5gb approximate you would see with the 32bit Windows there for available ram.

If you have programs that won't run on the 64bit 7 one thing you may want to consider especially on the desktop where you often see more drive space available would be a dual boot of both editions.

Lordbob75 · 02 Oct 2009

If you are going to be using more than one, then TechNet becomes a viable alternative, at a reasonable price.

~Lordbob

Night Hawk · 02 Oct 2009

That's for sure! And not only for 7 as you would also have access to a large variety of MS office products available plus a number of tools.

jsjslim · 16 Oct 2009

Thanks for the reply, and sorry for my late reply. Have been rather busy lately.

Regarding Technet, I've thought of that before. But aren't the provided software for "Evaluation" only? In other words, not for gaming, browsing, etc?

DocBrown · 16 Oct 2009

" Doc " loves MS TechNet