What to buy?

[jsjslim]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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. ).

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]

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]

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

~Lordbob

 

[Night Hawk]

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]

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]

" Doc " loves MS TechNet

 

[Night Hawk]

Got that one covered Doc!

On TechNet and MSDN for paid subscribers the final finished verison of 7 has been available for download since August 6th. Along with any finished products you can also try out vaious beta and RC releases for MS office products as well as the Server 2008 RC2.

The option for the backup disk however is the 10/22 wait to see those shipped out being 7 general release date next week! Yeee Haaa...!

You'll have to excuse the slight outburst since it's been a long wait for all too many especially for those who were testing the betas as well as running the RCs!

 

[smarteyeball]

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?

It all depends on your definition of "Evaluation"

 

[DocBrown]

All my computers are Science Experiments doing Evaluations of everything a computer can do

 

[Night Hawk]

There you go! I don't even need a subscription here since I run into loads of other utilities and small programs to try out on Windows is general. In fact I'm still backing things up for the last two versions to see if those run next week!

 

[Barman58]

One other option for those with a small technical business is the Microsoft partner program. Costs are slightly lower than those for Technet and provide a less extensive range of available software downloads and keys but the EULA is for Internal use rather than evaluation. This is of course better for those who feel that their actual use could not be classed as evaluation

 

[Lordbob75]

One other option for those with a small technical business is the Microsoft partner program. Costs are slightly lower than those for Technet and provide a less extensive range of available software downloads and keys but the EULA is for Internal use rather than evaluation. This is of course better for those who feel that their actual use could not be classed as evaluation

Thanks Nigel, I might look into that...

~Lordbob

 

[Barman58]

LB,

If you are going into your support business, then the sales and marketing support may be something you will find useful.

The problem is that for a service type company like you were thinking of you probably benefit from both this and technet, just the access to install media can make Technet worthwhile for anyone who deals with private users who will quite possibly have lost their disks

 

[Lordbob75]

LB,

If you are going into your support business, then the sales and marketing support may be something you will find useful.

The problem is that for a service type company like you were thinking of you probably benefit from both this and technet, just the access to install media can make Technet worthwhile for anyone who deals with private users who will quite possibly have lost their disks

I plan to keep my TechNet for my "personal evaluation" as well as the disks I can get.

~Lordbob

 

[Night Hawk]

The partner option would be one consideration for someone I talk with regularly who is in the process of starting a small pc repair business. He doesn't have a TechNet or MSDN account presently trying to keep the overhead down a bit.