Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft
Windows 7 OEM prices unveiled (Here's a hint, cheaper than full retail)
by Brad Linder Sep 29th 2009 at 3:30PM
The company typically sells a retail boxed version of Windows which users can install on nearly any computer, and the license can be transferred from one computer to another if, for example, your computer breaks down and you buy a replacement.
But you can also pick up an OEM license that's designed for system builders. These OEM copies offer most of the features found in a full retail version, but the license can't be transferred. Once it's installed on a computer and activated, it's locked to that hardware. You won't get any support, and you'll have to perform a clean install, not an upgrade. The upshot is that OEM copies of Windows are typically cheaper.
Newegg has begun taking pre-orders for Windows 7 OEM licenses, and they're significantly cheaper than the full retail versions. In fact, they're even cheaper than the upgrade editions of Windows 7. Windows 7 Home Premium OEM will set you back $110, while Professional costs $140 and Ultimate will run you $190. That's compared with $200, $300, and $320 respectively for the full retail versions.
Newegg is also offering a few bucks off of each OEM license for customers who place orders by October 20th. Windows 7 will be officially launched on October 22nd.
[via Ars Technica]
I don't know if this is a labor of love or merely the brainchild of four very gifted games designers, but Level Up is a really weird mash-up of gaming elements that you have probably never seen in a Flash game before.
Let's start with the premise itself: Groundhog Day meets Memento. The game experience revolves around 'days': you explore the world and the clock slowly ticks towards the evening. You bounce around picking up gems and talking to the denizens of 'Level Upland'. Eventually you feel tired and head back to ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Trinae A Ross said 8:27AM on 9-30-2009
My question is, if I should install the OEM version on my laptop, then need to buy a new laptop, would I need to buy another OEM version of Windows 7? Wouldn't be cheaper to buy the retail version, if simply because the license is transferable?
Reply
kojo87 said 5:46PM on 9-29-2009
you need to buy a new license key. you can use the same disc and get the key online if you want.
blaszta said 11:15PM on 9-29-2009
Well, you can't use the OEM Windows 7 in your new laptop, but actually the cheapest way is make sure the new laptop you buy already come with Windows 7 (which is OEM too).
Todd said 3:56PM on 9-29-2009
...and Ubuntu 9 is *still* $0.00
Reply
Ruamrudee said 5:46PM on 9-29-2009
No. Different OS.
Trinae A Ross said 8:36AM on 9-30-2009
Ubuntu is always a good deal, but until I can give up my Office addiction, I'm still tethered to Windows. However, since I cannot use the OEM license on my laptop, then I might be sticking with Vista and XP for a little while longer.
Sure, I could run Office in VirtualBox, but that would defeat the purpose of migrating to Ubuntu in the first place.
I found that they cheapest way to score a legal copy of Windows 7 is to take a class at my local community college. I'm returning in January anyway, so why not pick up the student license. Is there anything different about that than regular W7?
Jim said 3:02PM on 10-01-2009
Ya and it looks like it to. I would rather pay and have software compatable with everything out on the web. Sure it cost a few bucks but it more than makes up for it in productivity and not having to waste time tending to the OS.
Windows7 FTW!!!