Windows 7 OEM prices make for big savings

Robert Hallock 28 Sep, 2009 at 11:08pm ET Article published in Tech

Microsoft has green-lighted the debut of several OEM SKUs for its upcoming Windows 7 operating system.

US etailer Newegg was one of the first to publish the SKUs for preorder, and the discounts over retail licenses are appreciably significant:

Windows 7 Home Premium: $99 (Retail: $199, 51% discount)
Windows 7 Professional: $134 (Retail: $299, 55% discount)
Windows 7 Ultimate: $174.99 (Retail: $319, 45% discount)

While the savings presented by an OEM license may entice buyers, there are a few restrictions which might still compel the purchase of a full retail copy. Foremost, OEM licenses are restricted to the PC they are first installed on. This differs from fully packaged product (FPP) licenses which allow the OS to be migrated to any system so long as the OS is only installed on one machine at a time. Secondly, the aesthetically-minded might be put off by the lack of retail packaging; OEM installation media comes packed in a paper sleeve. Lastly, OEM licenses are subject to limited support from Microsoft. Users who require phone or email contact with Microsoft should choose an FPP edition.

Like retail licenses, OEM copies of Windows 7 will be delivered or available on October 22 when the OS officially launches.

Comments

29 Sep 2009 ~ 9:04am MAGIC So, if i buy a new computer next year i cant transport win7 to it without buying another copy?
29 Sep 2009 ~ 9:10am Thrax Retail license: Can be installed on an unlimited number of PCs, as long as it's only installed on one PC at a time.
OEM license: Can only be installed on one computer, and the license cannot be transferred to a new computer and/or new motherboard.

There's nothing stopping you from treating an OEM license like a retail license, but those are the legalities as per the EULA.
29 Sep 2009 ~ 10:22am jared Sounds like good news to me. Definitely not complaining
I think it's a smart move to give OEM a decent sized discount.
29 Sep 2009 ~ 10:30am Cliff_Forster My recommendation for OEM copies is to save money for family and friends, or customers that may want you to build a computer for them. They are not going to swap out a motherboard, and they are not going to call MS if they have a problem, they are going to call you, because hey, you are the family nerd, that's what you do.

For our systems, seriously, get a retail copy. If your an enthusiast you won't regret it. I don't have a crystal ball, but I'm going to guess that Windows 7 is going to have some staying power, its going to be around at least four or five years, and no doubt in my mind that any real enthusiast is going to want to do at least one motherboard swap in that time, and very possibly two or three if your a real hardware nut.

OEM for friends and family that just buy a new computer every five years, retail for the enthusiast.
29 Sep 2009 ~ 11:11am mirage People, check Technet Plus subscription.
http://blogs.technet.com/keithcombs/archive/2009/09/07/technet-plus-direct-25-discount-code-use-tmsam07.aspx
29 Sep 2009 ~ 3:36pm Qeldroma The discount that would really jazz me would be a multi-license pack that would have like $300 for the first copy and $XX for each copy thereafter- like $50/copy for the next 5, etc. When you have his&her's desktop and loptop with kids and Folding rigs....

There should be some way of doing it....
29 Sep 2009 ~ 3:37pm Thrax You mean like the Windows 7 family pack? Three licenses for $150 USD: http://icrontic.com/twitter/thracks-the-win-7-family-pack-officially-slashes-the-p
29 Sep 2009 ~ 4:14pm Qeldroma

Thrax wrote:

You mean like the Windows 7 family pack? Three licenses for $150 USD: http://icrontic.com/twitter/thracks-the-win-7-family-pack-officially-slashes-the-p

It's discontinued and I'm thinking Retail Pro versions
29 Sep 2009 ~ 4:54pm Thrax Discontinued on that website. It's an official package from Microsoft, but there is no equivalent for Pro. Do you actually need Pro? It only really adds support for domain joining.
29 Sep 2009 ~ 7:28pm Qeldroma

Thrax wrote:

Discontinued on that website. It's an official package from Microsoft, but there is no equivalent for Pro. Do you actually need Pro? It only really adds support for domain joining.

Yes- both of us. Depending on what job one kid might get too...may as well cover it. I guess I could save some using WAUs to get there, but I think the Family Packs are only for upgrades. Retails may at least take some hassles in replacing PCs out of the equation and trading money for time could be worth it here.

At any rate, I would have hoped for more convenient deals across the board and spare us all this math.