Skip to Content

Free TUAW iPhone app -- try it now!
AOL Tech

oem posts

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

Windows 7 OEM prices unveiled (Here's a hint, cheaper than full retail)

Windows 7 OEM
Microsoft has a habit of releasing multiple versions of its operating systems and multiple pricing levels. And Windows 7 will be no different. No, I'm not talking about Windows 7 Starter, Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate, Professional and so forth, although each of those will be available. I'm talking about OEM versus full versions.

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]

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

How to download Windows Vista SP1 early

Vista SP1 OEM
Can't wait to get you grubby little paws on the official version of Windows Vista SP1? Microsoft isn't expected to officially release the update to end users until March. But Microsoft has already posted a disc image on its OEM partner site, and if you know where to look you can download it today.

The disc image weighs in at 1.2GB and must be used to perform a clean install of Windows Vista SP1. In other words, you cannot use it to update your system and retain your files and settings. We'd recommend waiting until Microsoft pushes SP1 out through Windows Update if you're not ready to do a clean install.

Microsoft's servers are being hammered at the moment from people attempting to download SP1, so don't expect a speedy download. In fact, if you start downloading today you might not have the full disc image until March anyway.

[via WinBeta]

Filed under: Business, Design, Developer, Apple, Google, Open Source

OpenGL welcomes Google, Apple and Dell

khronos group openglGoogle, Apple and Dell are among a recent group of companies that have joined the Khronos Group, a developer of the OpenGL graphics standard.

The Khronos Group is funded by members to create open standard royalty free API's that allow playback of dynamic media across a wide array of platforms and devices. Khronos members are from a broad spectrum in the industry, and include many companies from operating system vendors, system and handset OEM's, game developers, application developers, and wireless carriers.

Through their new membership, Google, Apple and Dell will be helping to create new standards, and new market opportunities for the graphic and dynamic media industries.

[via sda asia]

Featured Time Waster

Graveyard Shift - zombie-busting Time Waster

With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet. They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...

View more Time Wasters

Featured Galleries

Defective by Design, London: Protest Pictures
Microsoft Security Essentials
Chromium Pre-Alpha on CrunchBang Linux
Safari 4 Beta
10 Firefox themes that don't suck
IE8 RC1
Download Squad at the Crunchies After-Party
Download Squad at the Crunchies
WordPress 2.7
Cooking Mama: Mama Kills Animals
Windows 7 Hands On
Comodo Internet Security
Android First-look: Amazon.com MP3 Store
Android First-look: Twitroid
Google Reader Android
Android Hands-On
Twine 1.0
Photoshop Express Beta
Mozilla Birthday Cake
Palm stuff
Adobe Lightroom 1.1

 


Follow us on Twitter!

Flickr Pool

www.flickr.com

More Tech Coverage

AOL Radio

Joystiq

TUAW

Daily Finance

Autoblog

Urlesque

Engadget

WoW

Switched.com

FanHouse