Vista Ultimte.. cheapest price

Retail version can be migrated from PC to PC (that is, if you buy a new PC you can wipe Windows on the one and install it on the other), while OEM is "married" to your specific hardware, usually your motherboard. So, if you do a major upgrade, you'll need to buy Windows Vista again. I'm using an OEM version myself. :)
 
OEM usually comes with the correct drivers included for your hardware, while the retail version does not, and you probably will have to search for and download the correct drivers if it is not included.

More often than not, there will be drivers, although you'll have to make sure you upgrade them to the latest drivers.

And I won't buy Vista until SP1 has been released and tested thoroughly.
 
There is no need to buy a new package if you change the motherboard. You will however not be able to activate Windows. Only thing you need to do is, give Microsoft SA a call, and they'll even ask you if you did a hardware upgrade, and you say yes. They will give you a new activation code, to activate Windows again.

OEM must be prebundled with hardware, i.e. PC, Motherboard, CPU, etc..

Some shops has gone the smart way, where you can buy the OEM version with a Kettle Cord, which is in fact, Computer Hardware, lol - www.overclockers.co.uk - I bought mine like this ^^ no problem what soever.

Go with the OEM then... Windows XP that is... Not vista

www.jump.co.za = portal to search for the cheapest place in SA
 
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Aqox said:
There is no need to buy a new package if you change the motherboard. You will however not be able to activate Windows. Only thing you need to do is, give Microsoft SA a call, and they'll even ask you if you did a hardware upgrade, and you say yes. They will give you a new activation code, to activate Windows again.

OEM must be prebundled with hardware, i.e. PC, Motherboard, CPU, etc..

Some shops has gone the smart way, where you can buy the OEM version with a Kettle Cord, which is in fact, Computer Hardware, lol - www.overclockers.co.uk - I bought mine like this ^^ no problem what soever.

Go with the OEM then...
Click to expand...

I bought mine from Rectron :p Or you could always tell Microsoft your old motherboard died, in which case they'll give you the activation code as well :D
 
The_Librarian said:
OEM usually comes with the correct drivers included for your hardware, while the retail version does not, and you probably will have to search for and download the correct drivers if it is not included.

More often than not, there will be drivers, although you'll have to make sure you upgrade them to the latest drivers.

And I won't buy Vista until SP1 has been released and tested thoroughly.
Click to expand...

I've never heard of this, though some manufacturer supplied recovery disks might, they are not really that common...
 
I think what supersunbird meant was that he's never heard of Windows Vista OEM editions being changed to include vendor-specific drivers (and neither have I)
 
WKJ?:beanie said:
Retail version can be migrated from PC to PC (that is, if you buy a new PC you can wipe Windows on the one and install it on the other), while OEM is "married" to your specific hardware, usually your motherboard. So, if you do a major upgrade, you'll need to buy Windows Vista again. I'm using an OEM version myself. :)
Click to expand...

Correction, u have to activate (by telephone) the OEM each time u do a major hardware upgrade.
 
cryptic1 said:
Correction, u have to activate (by telephone) the OEM each time u do a major hardware upgrade.
Click to expand...

I've activated by telephone before, but had to tell them my motherboard died and I had to replace it otherwise they wouldn't give me the activation key? :confused:

But this was quite a while ago, though... Their policy might've changed since then (I sure hope so...) :)
 
WKJ?:beanie said:
I've activated by telephone before, but had to tell them my motherboard died and I had to replace it otherwise they wouldn't give me the activation key? :confused:

But this was quite a while ago, though... Their policy might've changed since then (I sure hope so...) :)
Click to expand...

It has changed WKJ, thank goodness :)
 
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