Windows 7 will be released October 22, and the pricing information for both the full and upgrade versions have been known for a while. However, as most of us geeks will know, there's a third variant you can buy, apart from upgrades and full versions: OEM or system builder releases. NewEgg has leaked the pricing information for these releases too.
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Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2009-08-21
In practice this is not a problem at all though. You just say that you've replaced some components (which is technically true) as the reason and there are no more questions asked.
The phone activation person doesn't care as long as you only install it on one machine, and I think that's what MS ultimately cares about.
Member since:2008-10-09
True indeed, the OEM is supported by an individual, who installed that OEM to the computer instead of Microsoft.
If I go and purchase and OEM windows, and install it on my home computer, and something breaks, then all I have to do, is to ask myself to fix it, as I've done for many years before 
If thats too much for you, then you can still use the OEM by asking some competent person to install/maintain that windows for you.
If you are going to buy the Retail version, you can use Microsoft support person to listen all you have to say to them about broken windows, although I suspect that their phone support is unable to fix your computer and you still have to find a competent person who will fix your problems.
So finally I do not understand how the privileges of Retail copy work IRL and therefore it is most sensible to go with OEM anyway.
While back with Vista I weighed the pros and cons of Retail copy and found out that the porice difference of the Retail and OEM is so big that I can replace my computers motherboard 3 times and it would be still cheaper than the retail copy of Vista Ultimate. Therefore the point of having a copy of windows for several computers to come is quite pointless. When it's time to get a better computer, there is usually a newer Windows available.
Member since:
2005-07-13
The OEM versions are not supported by Microsoft, for whatever that's worth, and are intended to install on a single machine.
If you envision reinstalling OEM Windows on future machines, then you'll run into WGA issues. MS won't allow it, and WGA will make it troublesome. I'm not defending or promoting that position, and don't want to start yet another philosophical thread on licensing/EULAs et al., just stating a fact. Once your OEM copy is activated, it won't be allowed to activate on a new machine unless you can sweet-talk the person on the WGA support line when your system bricks.
Still, OEM is probably the way to go. Even if you upgrade to a new system, it will probably be cheaper to have it with Windows pre-installed, even on top of the cost of an OEM version for your existing system, than purchasing a retail version that does allow transfer.
Just my 2c.