What a mouthful of valuable information. Finished the article (in the Nov 15 newsletter) and I do believe I'll be taking the plunge very soon. It is a short matter of time before veteran (die-hards) of the XP generation are forced to more on. I'd rather do so slowly than be forced to plunge into a new o/s at the very last second. Do plan on still using using XP, but with more than one computer, making the switch now, slowly, learning on the go, makes best sense all around.
And having a chart with shows what to expect from each version, my selection was make even before I reached the end and saw the prices (in US$). The Professional is the hands down winner. Remember, one needs to look several years down the line. The selling point is the Max. Supported RAM for a 64 bit at 192G. Deciding to opt for 32 or 64 bit is also a no brainier. Every so called ounce of speed, not to mention better security features is what makes switching and using a 64 bit more satisfying.
I'll still be using my XP units for other tasks, but time can only be remembered, as it marches forward (not backward), Mindblower!
"For the needy, not the greedy"
I've done some price comparisons on the Professional version (the most popular sales wise in several stores) and here is strange twist with respect to the way the o/s can be sold/purchased. The Retail cost is over $300. CDN as well - but you can purchase the OEM for about $140. CDN providing you also buy some hardware. This might be a legal loop hole, since I doubt a store would want to face serious charges for not adhering to the law. Hardware I was informed could mean a cable (quoted $8.00 CDN) so the New Year might look just right - as I do require some hardware, Mindblower!
"For the needy, not the greedy"
Hey MB - This is definitely [i:g33opqy9]not[/i:g33opqy9] a legal loophole. A means of assuaging a customer's conscience perhaps??
Here is a direct quotation from the OEM license agreement:
[i:g33opqy9]*Each individual software license inside this package may ONLY be distributed with a fully assembled computer system.[/i:g33opqy9]
That said, there are plenty of OEM versions up for sale here on EBay (with no hardware inclusion at all), I asked my local friendly computer guy how they can get away with this and he shrugged his shoulders and said something along the lines of...'it's got me beat'.
Cheers mate....JIM
I'm glad to see you moving to Win7, Mindblower.
As I mentioned in the [url=http://www.davescomputertips.com/newsletters/2009/091115.php#article1:22ig6zmj]The most comprehensive Windows 7 version comparison[/url:22ig6zmj] know to man.
The OEM license EULA requires the OS be sold to an end user by a system builder. Now, how you define "end user" and "system builder" can go a long way toward rationalizing the decision to purchase an OEM copy. I'm not recommending you go that route, BUT... If you build the computer for resale I would think you are a system builder. If you sell that computer for $1 the purchaser becomes the end user. Of course if they decide they don't like it and sell it back for $1
I seriously doubt MS is going to come knocking on your door in dark suits and sunglasses, or black helicopters will be circling your house.
**Standard disclaimer - I am not a lawyer, nor do play one on TV**
I have no problems (moral or otherwise) when it comes to purchasing software. When I shell out money, the cost can either be discounted or marked up. Some may see this differently, and rightly so, as we all have our unique way of looking at things.
If I do opt to purchase Win 7 in the New Year, the driving force will take into account the lowest possible price. Those who see this as wrong can always make a donation to offset the difference, Mindblower!
"For the needy, not the greedy"
[b:1ebmo09v][i:1ebmo09v]"the driving force will take into account the lowest possible price"[/i:1ebmo09v][/b:1ebmo09v]
Too right MB!!!
I have my OEM version of Windows 7 sitting on my computer desk ready for installation, that's how I could quote the extract from the EULA . I opted for the Home Premium edition though and I doubt I would have bothered at all if the only option was to pay full retail.
Cheers mate....JIM
This is slightly off topic, but new computers come fully loaded not only with the new o/s but depending on who's trying to sell the stock, the latest office bundle as well. Oddly the price range is $500 to $750 CDN (lowest end), and often this also applies to laptops. So go figure who is being hit the hardest - someone updating, or someone getting a new computer, Mindblower!
"For the needy, not the greedy"
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