question on newegg selling OEM windows 2003 server....

[gordita]

I'm supposed to submit a quote for setting up a small Network for a small Company and i'm giving them two options
1) dell server with windows 2000 server or windows server 2003 .
2) home built server with windows 2000 server/2003 server.

Newegg is selling an OEM windows 2003 server for $683 (with 5 CAL's).
is this legit?
I'm also buying a host of other h/w from newegg in the same order.

why does dell charge $799 for windows server 2003 with 5 CAL"s and newegg is charging only $683.
has anyone ordered a windows 2003 server from newegg before?

The company has a windows NT4.0 server running right now and wants to upgrade to a windows based solution only (no linux here....)

Also, any suggestions for the mboard.......I'm debating an ASUS or an intel.
mboard must have onboard audio,video and RAID, or onboard audio and video atleast.
Processor will be a P4 2.4/2.6Ghz 800FSB with Hyperthreading.

thanks guys

 

[mechBgon]

You might look at an Asus NRL-LS533. Personally, I'd lean towards a separate SCSI or SCSI RAID card so you have the advantage of modularity... if your mobo or CPU dies, grab your array and plunk it into another system, share it... bingo, your data is back on the network so you can limp along while the server's getting fixed.

As for why Dell charges $799 for Windows Server & CALs while Newegg charges less... well, why does Dell charge $149 for a Zip250 while Newegg charges about $70? Dell marks stuff up where practical to make money, is my amazingly-insightful guess

 

[MrChad]

Remember, you get support with the Dell price as well.

 

[CQuinn]

Dell adds on the cost of

...installing it on their systems in the factory?

...including drivers for the system and peripherals that may be newer than what is on
the 2003 CD?

... Testing the system (with OS loaded) to be sure it leave the warehouse in good condition?


IIRC OEM "versions" are supposed to only be sold with a system or significant component
of a system (motherboard, or hard drive).

 

[gordita]

but if I buy from newegg, it is still very legit, correct?

Alternatively, I can even buy a $599 Dell desktop and buy the windows server from newegg and have my own $1300 server.....??

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: gordita
but if I buy from newegg, it is still very legit, correct?

Alternatively, I can even buy a $599 Dell desktop and buy the windows server from newegg and have my own $1300 server.....??

Yes, and maybe. Like CQuinn just said:
"IIRC OEM "versions" are supposed to only be sold with a system or significant component of a system (motherboard, or hard drive). "
You can't just buy Windows by itself from newegg, you also need to buy (say) a hard drive, and the legality of the OS is tied to the parts you buy, so you would need to install those parts into the Dell.

 

[sharkeeper]

It can be said the difference between OEM and Retail is the price = insurance for support.

OEM provides no support from MS. You have a problem and need to call them, have your credit card handy! $240 per incident! A full Retail package INCLUDES two incidents, no charge.

If you pay rock bottom for OEM and don't need support, you've saved money. If you have to use support, it's gonna cost you!

As long as the software is legit and is provided with original media and a sticker for the computer, it's legal. Some manufactures are fairly shady and will sell you this if you buy hardware which can be a $2 mouse! MS is cracking down (supposedly) on these suppliers, however that is no concern of yours.

Cheers!

 

[gordita]

if I buy an OEM windows 2003 server, can I just install windows 2000 server on that box?
I know a downgrade is fine, as listed on microsoft.com
I'm not sure about OEM stuff...

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: gordita
but if I buy from newegg, it is still very legit, correct?

Alternatively, I can even buy a $599 Dell desktop and buy the windows server from newegg and have my own $1300 server.....??

Not exactly. Although a $599 desktop machine would probably run Windows Server 2003, the resulting system would certainly NOT be a server! It would be fine if you just wanted to play around with the OS, but you really need to upgrade to a REAL server with things like RAID redundant power supplies and tape backup if you're planning on putting any data on the system that's worth saving.