What is currently the cheapest way to Windows 7 HP?

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bupkus

Diamond Member
Nov 25, 2000
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What is currently the cheapest way to Windows 7 Home Premium?

My son is asking for it for his new pc.

Edit: I have some XP licenses/disks (no OEMs).

Edit2: I hate to buy 32-bit as I will probably use this disk for a new build once I retire this 939 w/ 2GB mem. Can I run 64-bit W7 with 2GB DDR?
 
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Arkaign

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
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Do younger (elementary/middle/high school) students get eligibility for student/teacher pricing?
 
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bupkus

Diamond Member
Nov 25, 2000
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It will be a DIY rebuild. I have several licenses for XP if that will help. Right now we're planning on a bigger hdd but I can install XP if needed for an upgrade to W7.

BTW, no OEMs here.
 
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JackMDS

JackMDS

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Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
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B

bupkus

Diamond Member
Nov 25, 2000
3,816
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JackMDS said:
If you have a legal Win XP installed you can use the Home Premuim Upgrade.

Since the upgrade from XP wipes out the XP you do not need to configure the XP.

Install fresh XP as is, activate it, and install the Win 7 upgrade.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-713-_-Product

You can buy and upgrade to the more expensive Pro and Ultimate too if Home premium is not desired.

This page describes the differences.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/compare/default.aspx



:cool:
Click to expand...

What if the XP I have is the Professional version?
 
E

Emulex

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2001
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32bit and 64bit vista/win7 use the same key - just need different media if its retail.
 
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bupkus

Diamond Member
Nov 25, 2000
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Emulex said:
32bit and 64bit vista/win7 use the same key - just need different media if its retail.
Click to expand...

Retail simply means not an oem version, yes?
As I recall the oems at newegg made you decide between 32 and 64 before you purchase.
 
VirtualLarry

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,570
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bupkus said:
Retail simply means not an oem version, yes?
As I recall the oems at newegg made you decide between 32 and 64 before you purchase.
Click to expand...

Retail is different than OEM, yes. Retail can be moved between hardware, OEM is "married" (MS's term) to hardware once installed. Retail version also includes both 32-bit and 64-bit install media (finally!), and OEM makes you choose which bitness you want to install (booo!)
But the key should be good for either 32-bit or 64-bit install media, whether or not you choose OEM or retail. You just need to get a hold of the discs.

Me, personally, I stick to retail upgrade versions. Cheaper, and movable between hardware if you ever upgrade or your motherboard ever dies.
 
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Rich3077

Senior member
Oct 11, 1999
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While it is not the cheapest option.. (I know that's what you asked) If you see the need to have other Microsoft licenses in the near future you might want to consider joining Technet. I get 10 licenses for every Microsoft product. Cost me $250 to join (google discount codes)

Besides for the nice price.. its kind of fun to have all the keys.
 
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bupkus

Diamond Member
Nov 25, 2000
3,816
0
76
VirtualLarry said:
Retail is different than OEM, yes. Retail can be moved between hardware, OEM is "married" (MS's term) to hardware once installed. Retail version also includes both 32-bit and 64-bit install media (finally!), and OEM makes you choose which bitness you want to install (booo!)
But the key should be good for either 32-bit or 64-bit install media, whether or not you choose OEM or retail. You just need to get a hold of the discs.

Me, personally, I stick to retail upgrade versions. Cheaper, and movable between hardware if you ever upgrade or your motherboard ever dies.
Click to expand...

Just wondering, but how can MS know if you've installed the oem and you just suffered a hdd crash? It sounds like you get only one activation and you're responsible to provide a total backup and restore. Hmmm... does that mean you have to make an image copy of a completed/activated partition?
 
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bupkus

Diamond Member
Nov 25, 2000
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0
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Rich3077 said:
While it is not the cheapest option.. (I know that's what you asked) If you see the need to have other Microsoft licenses in the near future you might want to consider joining Technet. I get 10 licenses for every Microsoft product. Cost me $250 to join (google discount codes)

Besides for the nice price.. its kind of fun to have all the keys.
Click to expand...

I used to subscribe to MS's Action Pack but stopped right after MS released Vista. In hindsight I wish I had stopped a year earlier but I digress...

I looked into reacquiring but I would need to take a class or promise to take a test, blah blah

Is the offer you describe easy to qualify for? I've heard others speak of it but I didn't know they had access to the same sw as the Action Pack Subscription.
 
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Rich3077

Senior member
Oct 11, 1999
518
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Yeah its easy to qualify.. all you need is a credit or debit card with the available funds.
I know it bends the terms of my agreement.. but I keep my family and friends in software. You can even earn your money back if you get a little creative.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx
On the right side of that page click on the technet links for info.

If you want to join do a google search for technet discounts, you can almost always get $100 off.. but even at full price its not bad.

Just imagine 10 licenses for each different version of windows 7, plus Office and such. First hand info and downloads for betas. Its a geeks wet dream. :p
 
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bupkus

Diamond Member
Nov 25, 2000
3,816
0
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Currently, are there any significant difference between Technet and Action Pack in:
*Cost
*Ease of qualification
*Software Titles offered
*Number of licenses per title
*Duration of activated licenses
and any other important differences unlisted.
 
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Rich3077

Senior member
Oct 11, 1999
518
0
0
Heck.. I had the action pack years ago. Not sure if that even exists anymore?? With technet you must download the ISO's yourself.. OR pay an extra $200 a year to have the CD's DVD's shipped to you. As far as I know technet gives you all Microsoft titles... even the expensive server software. You get 10 licenses for everything.. and according to the terms the licenses are supposed to expire when your subscription lapses... but it doesn't. I am still using XP keys that I got years ago. (I think that was an action pack subscription) As far as I remember the terms are the same as action pack.
 
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bupkus

Diamond Member
Nov 25, 2000
3,816
0
76
Damn. I clicked the wrong link in my email and unsubscribed from my own post.
Now how do I change that?

Ok, fixed.
 
B

bupkus

Diamond Member
Nov 25, 2000
3,816
0
76
Rich3077 said:
Heck.. I had the action pack years ago. Not sure if that even exists anymore?? With technet you must download the ISO's yourself.. OR pay an extra $200 a year to have the CD's DVD's shipped to you. As far as I know technet gives you all Microsoft titles... even the expensive server software. You get 10 licenses for everything.. and according to the terms the licenses are supposed to expire when your subscription lapses... but it doesn't. I am still using XP keys that I got years ago. (I think that was an action pack subscription) As far as I remember the terms are the same as action pack.
Click to expand...

So you're saying you have the technet subscription now?

Also, you seem to be saying that with Technet you have 10 of each version of Windows 7.
With my very last subscription to Action Pack I received 10 licenses to Vista Business 32-bit. I must say I don't think I have activated more than one license.
I would like to see to it that my relatives and friends discover the goodness of Windows 7. I'm not saying that I want to pass around or sell licenses as they're a bunch of cheap b******s. But there are a couple that are poor and I suppose I would like to help them.
Still, it makes no sense to spend about $250 for a couple of licenses.

Nope. I have what I need and they'll just have to get their own. But I will continue to offer my advice and free support if and when it becomes needed.

What I need to ask myself is, do I want to try out all those SW titles by MS? Hmmm....................... Naaaaaaa.
 
RebateMonger

RebateMonger

Elite Member
Dec 24, 2005
11,586
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0
A TechNet Plus subscription is licensed to a single user and is intended for evaluation purposes only. Once activated, the software license isn't time-limited.

Action Pack subscriptions are licensed for up to 10 users within the company. The software can only be used by employees for business purposes. The software licenses expire when the subscription expires.

Neither subscription now includes disks for the basic subscription price.

"Software included in TechNet Plus Subscriptions is provided with rights to evaluate. Licensed users may install included content on any number of devices for evaluation purposes only. Only the licensed subscriber may use the included products. Please see the product use rights or license terms for TechNet Plus Subscriptions for more details."
 
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Rich3077

Senior member
Oct 11, 1999
518
0
0
bupkus said:
Still, it makes no sense to spend about $250 for a couple of licenses.
Click to expand...

I only needed 2 licenses myself.. I didn't price the retail version of Windows 7 Ultimate but full retail versions of Vista Ultimate was about $400 for ONE license. I ended up purchasing it from this forums for sale site. ($200) For me it was cheaper to join Microsofts geek club than to purchase stuff on my own. But that's only one option and you have many to choose from.

Peace
Rich
 
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