Windows 7 OEM Pricing Revealed
It's a lot cheaper than retail -- and that's why you've been holding off preordering, right?
Nearly all Windows 7 pricing news up to this point has been about retail SKUs, but most of you have been holding out for word of OEM prices.
OEM versions of Windows do not come without fancy boxes, manuals, packaging, or even tech support, but they do come with a lower sticker price.
Early prices from online retailer Newegg reveals that OEM copies of Windows 7 are substantially cheaper – in some cases it's less than half price of the retail version.
Newegg is selling Home Premium for $100, while the retail price is $200. Those looking for the Professional version can get an even greater break as the OEM is $135, compared to $300 for the retail.
Still not good enough? Then you can hand over $175 for the Ultimate SKU, which would cost $320 in stores.
Newegg isn't currently restricting that Windows 7 OEM versions be purchased with hardware, so this could be the cheapest way to grab a full-install version of the OS that launches in less than a month.
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hmm nice
One version to rule them all!
Cheaper than vista on OEM and it is WAY BETTER THAN VISTA.
already have 3 x3 pack professional x64 on order
Isn't this old news? We've known pricing since two months ago.
This makes no sense. You're saying they DO come with fancy boxes, manuals, packaging, and tech support.
Or you could get the upgrade, install cleanly without entering the license key, then put in the dvd and upgrade from within the new install with your upgrade key...
what about Starter Edition - OEM vs Retail prices?
Only need IE, Explorer and Media Player.
Other apps I go for freewares or open source.
Cheapskate ultimate, that's me!
Has anyone ever called Window's tech support? I called once years ago, but only because my OEM tech support was giving me the run-around. Of course, they told me they couldn't help me, and that was that.
In 15+ years of Windows computing, that was the only time I ever even thought of calling Microsoft. I'm just wondering how often people do it. Does the average consumer buying that fancy box at Best Buy even know Microsoft has tech support? Besides resetting a user password, what reason could you have for calling them? I doubt they help with 3rd party drivers or software, which is what most people run anyway.
I already have my copy of Win 7 x64 through MSDNN.
I have the Ultimate Signature Edition for hosting a House Party. Just $175??? Microsoft, you owe me at least twice as much!
I already got a Full OEM copy Of W7 though my school so I'm happy, But OEM is the way to go for system builders
Do you guys ever grammar check?
HAHA! I'm with MSDNAA and got Windows 7 Pro for FREE!!! MUAHAHA!
Pays to be a student at the right time ;-)
This makes no sense. You're saying they DO come with fancy boxes, manuals, packaging, and tech support.
That is pretty funny, I am so used to typo's that I overlook them and usually don't notice, or actually give a rats ass. Good catch and... uhh... WHO GIVES A SHIT! They never fix it anyway! That's like complaining to your friend about the shitty car you just bought! Go tell FORD about it! -Peace
Not that the prices aren't nice but per Microsoft's product page: "Both 32-bit and 64-bit installation discs are included in the Windows 7 retail box. " (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Installing-Windows-frequently-asked-questions), so it would seem that the vast majority of the "savings" is simply from splitting out the two versions.
Not that the prices aren't nice but per Microsoft's product page: "Both 32-bit and 64-bit installation discs are included in the Windows 7 retail box. " (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Installing-Windows-frequently-asked-questions), so it would seem that the vast majority of the "savings" is simply from splitting out the two versions.
Scratch the previous comment...I got a "free" copy of Windows 7 Build 7000 Beta...not "Windows 7".
considering that apple dropped OS prices to $30, and Linux is $0, there's getting to be less and less reason to whip out a whopping $300 for a OS that is with less stability, and more bugs. My prediction is these prices will keep the pirates busy hacking it and corporate world pondering alternatives.
Wait a tic.... Isn't it true that the activation on an OEM version of windows will only work once? By that I mean, if you have to call microsoft to get an authorization code...won't they tell you your version of the software can only be activated once? I've rebuilt several times with my retail copy of Win XP. Each time I've had to call for an authorization code, there isn't a problem. I have been under the impression I wouldn't be able to do this with an OEM license. Am I wrong?
Nothing can beat the price of MSDN-AA. Win7 Pro for free!
(but this is excelent news for those that can't take advantage of similar deals)
yay!
Has anyone ever called Window's tech support? I called once years ago, but only because my OEM tech support was giving me the run-around. Of course, they told me they couldn't help me, and that was that.In 15+ years of Windows computing, that was the only time I ever even thought of calling Microsoft. I'm just wondering how often people do it. Does the average consumer buying that fancy box at Best Buy even know Microsoft has tech support? Besides resetting a user password, what reason could you have for calling them? I doubt they help with 3rd party drivers or software, which is what most people run anyway.
I can't really comment on their tech support today, since it is primarily outsourced to India; however, I used to do tech support for Microsoft back in the days of Windows 95, 98, ME and I did XP support for the first couple years. We helped customers with OEM versions of Windows all the time, they just had to pay the $35 per incident fee (which is actually a smokin deal for tech support.) Also, we would NEVER reset passwords to get someone in to an account they locked themselves out of (for obvious security reasons), and the majority if the issues we dealt with involved third-party software/drivers. I can't tell you how many hours I spent installing drivers, fixing the TCP/IP stack after AOL's software broke it, or fixing WINSOCK keys due to third-party junk getting added. Microsoft has countless internal documents (we called them solution objects) on how to fix issues with third-party software which have nothing to do with a Windows problem.
so if i bought an OEM version i can just pop it in, have it remove everything on my PC(clean install) and install the full OS no problems?
Hmmm, it's interesting that the retail Ultimate price is only $20 more than the retail Pro price, but the OEM Ultimate price is $40 more than the OEM Pro price . . .
sweet price for the pro version. The ultimate version only adds bit locker and multi-language support so its not worth the 175 bucks
i got it from the site that uses your edu email for $43, and apparently its the full version..well it better be anyway, or someone's getting shot
By the way an OEM Windows license is NOT the proper license for a do-it-yourself build. And I quote from Microsoft's OEM partner center website: http://oem.microsoft.com/script/co [...] eid=563841
"Microsoft retail software licenses are the appropriate licenses for the do-it-yourself market. OEM System Builder software is not intended for this use, unless the PC that is assembled is being resold to another party."
"OEM System Builder Software
Must be preinstalled on a PC and sold to another unrelated party...
Cannot be transferred from the PC on which it is preinstalled...
Must be preinstalled onto a new PC using the OPK."
I agree with this. This is an obvious typo, considering OEM units do not come bundled in full packing. This is going to confuse many newbies.
how? OEM versions just come in a cardboard sleeve with very little documentation. this is that same for every OEM version of windows.
So, for someone who rebuilds somewhat frequently you won't be able to get the new clean install going since technically you already activated it for a single PC?
i have reactivated oems, more than 4 or 5 times with a simple phone call... even MS cant forsee a hard drive faliure