Need to buy a new OS today. What choice to get Win7 Upgrade later?

So my new system parts arrived today. I am reading the information on the Win7 Upgrade program and I am confused.

My plan was/is to buy XP media center 32bit OEM.

Reading the release from MSFT, I can't tell if OEM software purchased qualifies. They are clear if you get it as part of a system you buy it qualifies, however they differentiate between OEM and retail software purchases. The difference in making the wrong choice is $100, which I would rather spend then hand to MSFT.

Information/advice appreciated.

just use win7RC x64 (the hell would anyone buy XP 32bit right now??) and then upgrade when 7 retail releases.

or, (i think) if you buy vista right now, you'll get win7 as a free upgrade.

Due to my question in another thread, I am looking at the upgrade options too.

At the moment, it seems full information isn't available until tomorrow. But, from what I can gather from the upgrade path:

1. Vista Business = 7 Pro, Vista Home Premium = 7 Home Premium, Vista Ultimate = 7 Ultimate
2. XP Upgrade paths aren't posted yet. (I would assume Home = Home Premium & Pro = Pro. Media Center = ?...)
3. The cheaper pre-order period isn't for a very long time.
4. Without the vendor listing, it is impossible to know whether OEM purchased copies for custom built pc's can purchase the upgrade version at this very moment.
5. Buying the retail version of Vista in JULY should give you an upgrade voucher/system for the correct version of 7.

My thought is the following: (Since I am purchasing 2 OSs for new computers, and saving money is always good.)

1. Purchase copies of OEM Windows Vista now. (One of my copies is ok with Home Premium, the other must be Business.)
2a. Either recieve the Windows 7 upgrades for free. (Preferred)
2b. Or, pay the "cheaper upgrade price" via Microsoft during the promotional period. (Do you end up with an OEM or retail copy this way, though?...)

Or, I simply wait and buy the OEM Win 7 copy in October when it hits online retailers, and install the RC for now.

The upgrades (based on versions upto and including Vista, assuming 7 is the same) are all retail copies, but the upgrade can be applied to any OEM or Retail version.

Technically OEM copies are only for use in brand new machines (whether pruchased prebuilt or self-build), so if you build and use a PC with say Vista on it now you can not legally install Win 7 OEM on it in October (although loads of people probably do/will anyway).

So you really want to try and get a Vista that comes with a free upgrade to 7.

Also with Win 7 there "should" be no need for dual-booting with XP as it comes with a virtual XP which should work just like a native XP.

Is this statement true?

It was my understanding that the XP Mode in Win 7 was using VT (which has limitations) and was not the same as a dual boot setup?

Tongtonk - No. You need to wait to July 1st for the "free" upgrade path and choose those options allowed.

Thanks Scotteq. Any idea on the XP OEM upgrade to win7 issue? Want to make sure I buy the right legacy OS with an upgrade path to Win7.

Thanks

Vista is most definitely upgradable to 7. I believe you will be able to do XP as well:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Upg [...] 3839.shtml


Though by way of suggestion: Have you thought about using Win 7 RC until the generally available one comes out?

* B/c home builders can use Windows 7 RC for free. Hence - it's not stopping you from purchasing parts for a PC build.

* Dell can't sell a PC with a Release Candidate

* Dell supplies large retailers like Best Buy and CompUSA. They don't build those PC's to order - they are built in quantity and sold to a warehouse for distribution. You need to clear that inventory in order to make room for new Win 7 versions to get shelf space. Msft doesn't want to hurt their largest distribution chain by putting a technology distribution lag on their PC sales during peak seasonal sales period as kids go back to school.

* Dell & HP sell millions of PC's and are the main distribution of their O/S to the general public. You are building 1 PC. They have alot more leverage to negotiate deals than you do.

have you not read your own thread? i think a few people have pointed out that windows 7 has an XP virtual environment, so there is no need for XP. it is even included with win7 RC. i am not sure why you are being so stubborn to use RC. i just switched to win7 RC from XP, and i love it. ALL my applications work (including far more obscure apps than i think you are probably going to use) and it runs smoother, cleaner, and its FREE.

Update on my question:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116677

Looks like they will be selling Vista OEM with a Windows 7 upgrade included.

Price is $10 more than Vista OEM without the coupon.

Has the Windows 7 OEM price been released yet?

Do you think it is worth it to buy Vista now and get the upgrade or use the RC until the release and fresh install the release once it's out?


Thanks again for any opinions.

*I will be building a new system in the next week or two so I'm looking at using the RC or Vista as my primary OS until the Win7 final release - FYI.

XP Mode is available for free download for other versions, should you want/need it. Be advised, it *is* a Virtualized environment and therefore can't/won't be able to take advantage of hardware acceleration. So if you're looking to play games then you're better off Dual Booting

XP mode will only be available for Professional/Ultimate users, not Home Premium. (The RC is the ultimate version. Thus, at the moment, it is availble for download by all.)

Thank you for the answer on the XP mode virtualization question Scotteq. (Duel booting required for me.)

I also just bought parts for a computer build (a friend's i7 build), and I decided on the Vista with free Win 7 upgrade coupon route. That way, should be a seamless upgrade that doesn't require a complete new installation of the OS. (If you install the RC, then you will have to uninstall then reinstall.)

You cannot buy an upgrade Win 7 and just put it on a new machine. It must already be running a legit copy of Windows. (With Vista, the upgrade path is clear from version to version. This isn't so for XP. I still can't find anywhere that has the answer to my questions...)

Will Win XP Home upgrade to Win 7 Home Premium? Will Win XP Pro upgrade to Win 7 Pro?

Wishful thinking