Diff Between Windows 7 OEM System Builders and Retail Box

[mhalstern]

I hope this is not too much off topic:

I am building a pc. I can purchase Windows 7 64 Bit OEM For Systems Builders for less than $150.00. Windows 7 64 Bit Retail Box is between $250.00 and $300.00.

I don't need a manual. I don't need support from Microsoft. Is there any reason to not purchase the cheaper version?

A friend of mine thinks that if my pc crashes and I had installed the OEM version, it will be harder, if not impossible to re-activate that version? Is this true?

Please advise.

Thanks

[Joerg Oster]

A friend of mine thinks that if my pc crashes and I had installed the OEM version, it will be harder, if not impossible to re-activate that version? Is this true?

Definitely not.

Only difference is the cardbox, the manual and support and in the Retail Box you get both, the 32-bit and the 64-bit OS.
OEM version is either 32-bit or 64-bit.

So I advice to go for the OEM version. It's cheaper.

[mhalstern]

Thank you!

[M ANSARI]

Actually I can tell you first hand because I have tried both. Yesterday I bought a laptop with Win 7 Home premium, and I can confirm it is identical to the one I bought boxed. The thing I would pay more attention to is that it came with Win 7 64bit. That was a big surprise but is proof that Microsoft thinks that 64bit has all the necessary drivers. I much prefer 64bit as it will increase by 60% your performance with Rybka. Thus I would be more interested in the fact that it is 64bit rather than if it is OEM or not.

[PauloSoare]

I bought Windows 7 Ultimate, and came two CDs. One for OS with 32 bit and one for 64 bits.
Can I install Win7 64 on a computer. and Win7 32 on another computer?

[Aleks Peshkov]

I bought Windows 7 Ultimate, and came two CDs. One for OS with 32 bit and one for 64 bits.
Can I install Win7 64 on a computer. and Win7 32 on another computer?

AFAIK you cannot legally install both even on the same computer.

[PauloSoare]

I bought Windows 7 Ultimate, and came two CDs. One for OS with 32 bit and one for 64 bits.
Can I install Win7 64 on a computer. and Win7 32 on another computer?

AFAIK you cannot legally install both even on the same computer.

Bad news, Aleks. Thanks

[gerold]

I bought Windows 7 Ultimate, and came two CDs. One for OS with 32 bit and one for 64 bits.
Can I install Win7 64 on a computer. and Win7 32 on another computer?

AFAIK you cannot legally install both even on the same computer.

Bad news, Aleks. Thanks

The product key works on both versions.

[M ANSARI]

I bought Windows 7 Ultimate, and came two CDs. One for OS with 32 bit and one for 64 bits.
Can I install Win7 64 on a computer. and Win7 32 on another computer?

Yes you can, and many do so. Actually Microsoft wants everyone to move on to 64bit and if you look at 64bit in the installation files, you will see that it keeps a location for 32bit programs. You will also see that you get Explorer 32bit and Explorer 64bit. By the way Adobe Photoshop is this way too, you get to try both 32bit and 64bit although in PS CS4's case they are both on one computer.

[Vinvin]

I bought Windows 7 Ultimate, and came two CDs. One for OS with 32 bit and one for 64 bits.
Can I install Win7 64 on a computer. and Win7 32 on another computer?

AFAIK you cannot legally install both even on the same computer.

Bad news, Aleks. Thanks

The product key works on both versions.

"License" and "working key" is not the same thing