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What is the difference between Vista retail and OEM?

Cookie Monster

Cookie Monster

Diamond Member
With my new build coming close to fruition (end of June), i was thinking of migrating to Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit. But heres the catch.

Just what are the differences between the much more expensive retail version to the OEM version?

side note - is the BitLocker feature found only in the ultiamte version worth it? If not then i'm thinking of getting the Vista Premium which can be had for less $$$.
 
Retail can be moved to as many different computers as you'd like, OEM is tied to the computer (or rather the motherboard) you first install it on. You basically pay for the privilege/right to move Windows to different computers. There is no other difference, both come with the same software.

As for BitLocker, that's a "it depends" question. NTFS already has file encryption, so it's not absolutely necessary, but if you need to use encryption it's a good idea to use the two of them in concert, since they protect against different kinds of attacks. BitLocker is more useful if you have a TPM chip however.
 
You guys think OEMs are better off? i know that it can be a hassle to ring them up for re activation but its alot cheaper.
 
Just pay the extra money for retail, the hassle and the risk of not being able to move the OS make the OEM version too much trouble. In the end the extra money is practically pocket change, a retail OS is going to last for years and years as you keep moving to new computers.
 
There is no other difference, both come with the safe software.
Click to expand...

I believe another difference is that OEM can only do clean installs, whereas Retail also has the ability to do upgrades of existing Windows installations, provided there's a valid upgrade path from the existing version.
 
i believe the retail keys also work on both 64-bit or 32-bit ISO, whereas the oem keys only work on whatever version you bought it for.

i personally would buy retail if i were buyin gvista. you could start off with 32-bit which is what you get in box (unless yo ubought ultimate) and since your license says you can move it to another machine, in the future go with 64-bit.
 
OEM keys work with both 32bit and 64bit. Keys are not tied to bitness, no matter the version.
 
Originally posted by: Parasitic
How much is the retail version of Ultimate? If it's over $240 you might as well get a TechNet sub.
Click to expand...

At New Egg it is $280... the OEM version is $180.

I always buy OEM. I've had to call MS before when I moved an OEM license, but they've never given me a hassle about it.
 
Originally posted by: mechBgon
There is no other difference, both come with the safe software.
Click to expand...

I believe another difference is that OEM can only do clean installs, whereas Retail also has the ability to do upgrades of existing Windows installations, provided there's a valid upgrade path from the existing version.
Click to expand...

This is not true. I used an OEM dvd to upgrade XP-->Vista

I always buy OEM. I've had to call MS before when I moved an OEM license, but they've never given me a hassle about it.
Click to expand...
This is the problem with paying low wages. Moving OEM from computer to computer is illegal, but the phone support guys are paid too little to care.

I just say "I got a virus" and they give me a new activation key. I'm quite satisfied with MS since they don't ask for stupid things like a picture of the CD and key (stupid Bioshock assholes)
 
You can install OEM version as many times as you like, I've went through 4 motherboards, varies other things on PC and never had a problem. I've only have to call once for a complete system rebuilt, but just replacing certain components its just online activation again.

Just get OEM.
 
Originally posted by: imaheadcase
You can install OEM version as many times as you like, I've went through 4 motherboards, varies other things on PC and never had a problem. I've only have to call once for a complete system rebuilt, but just replacing certain components its just online activation again.

Just get OEM.
Click to expand...

Now you got me thinking.

I guess you can just do online activation, (if that doesn't work call them up). Anyway thanks for the posts.

Btw i just lost my bid for Vista ultimate retail. It was going for half price, and people started bidding at the last min. Damnation.
 
Personally i'd buy OEM.

I've done countless activations for customers' OEM systems & they are always very good on the phone if automatic activation fails.

Obviously, abusing the key = bad idea, but i don't really feel retail deserves the price they ask for, so if i was buying, i'd go OEM.

Truth is, it kinda becomes a legal/moral question if you want to keep swapping the license to new systems IMO, since the chance of being told you cannot re-activate for whatever reason is extremely slim.
 
Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
Btw i just lost my bid for Vista ultimate retail. It was going for half price, and people started bidding at the last min. Damnation.
Click to expand...
The only bids that mean anything in online auctions are those made in the last ten seconds. Many eBayers use automated programs that make no bids at all until ten seconds before the auction ends. And, yeah, it's impossible to compete with a 'bot if you are looking for "a steal".
 
Hmm i would agree with you, but it doesn't work that way with the site (www.trademe.co.nz) that i have all my trades/auctions. You must have atleast 2 mins free from bid to win (before the auction closes). It keeps auto extending if people decide to bid. (if not placing an auto bid which is annoying). Was hoping that not many would be interested seeing as the bidding kind of stopped for 5 days.

Anyway enough with the OT. Im leaning with OEM, since they are roughly half the price of that of retail. But im kind of surprised that the retail versions in New Zealand are non-existent. Almost all PC retailers only have OEM versions.
 
Cookie Monster this is OT, but your name triggers google adsense for Cooke Monster items on ebay and yahoo shopping. lol.
 
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