What's the difference?

[The_Techie]

A few weeks ago I bought Windows Vista Ultimate Edition x64 (OEM version) from Rectron for about R1,700. Now I see Incredible Connection also sells Windows Vista Ultimate Edition x64 for R4,999.99

I have heard that you can order the 32-bit version of Windows Vista Ultimate and only pay the postage & packaging if you bought that specific version of Windows Vista, but does this justify a R3,300 price difference?!

What is the difference between the two (except for better packaging, a shiny manual and the second disc) which would justify the price difference? Or does Incredible Connection sell products at nearly 300% their value?

 

[kissingmybbgoodbye]

OEM versions should only be sold with a new computer, but yeah it is in essential the same except for the price

 

[Wisemansa]

with vista arent you allowed less activations or something on the OEM?

 

[cryptic1]

with vista arent you allowed less activations or something on the OEM?

Yep think that's it.

 

[The_Techie]

How many times am I able to re-activate Windows Vista then?

 

[PeterCH]

Think you can use OEM only one PC. That is once your current PC dies
you can't move it over to a new one. However if you buy a new PC now,
it should last you until the next version of Windows anyway.

 

[kingrob]

Jip, the OEM version of Vista is 'married' to one pc only....

 

[kingrob]

However if you buy a new PC now,
it should last you until the next version of Windows anyway.

Wonder when that will be? Vista took 5 years....

 

[The_Techie]

If you do a major upgrade you have to reactivate Windows Vista, such as upgrading the RAM and harddrive at the same time, or changing the motherboard. Changing the motherboard is a bit of a sore point, as you might have to call Microsoft for re-activation (or tell them that your previous motherboard died, they make special allowances for that ) But I read yesterday on Microsoft's site that you can activate/reactivate as many times as you want, even on an OEM version.

With the retail version you can uninstall Windows Vista and then legally install it on another PC without any trouble. But you'd only have Windows Vista on one PC at a time I personally don't want to install my Windows Vista on someone else's PC. Let them buy it I don't see any reason to buy a retail copy instead of OEM if this is the only reasons to do so. What do you guys think?