"PvdG42" wrote in message
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"Trev" wrote in message
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"Craig" wrote in message
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Hi folks..
Ant truth to the rumour that if you buy the retail version
of win 7 compared to the oem version,you get both x64 AND x32 bit
versions on the retail version so you can make up your own mind..

Thanks in advance

Craig




Its Not a rumour You do. But surly you can make up your mind before you
buy a OEM too and for a third of the cost.

True, but that's not the only difference between Retail and OEM. Two
things you don't get with OEM that nay affect your decision:

1. Support. When Microsoft sells an OEM license, the OEM (purchaser of the
license) is responsible for support, not Microsoft. So, if you're
comfortable with self-support, buy OEM.

2. Transferability. An OEM license is tied to the hardware on which it is
installed, while a retail license is transferable from one computer to
another. An OEM license does not allow you to *legally* install Win 7 on
one PC, then remove and then install it on a different computer using the
same license. If you have a new PC and plan to keep it for a while, OEM
may make sense.

But the PC can be 'upgraded' ad infinitum without any problems. Even
changing the motherboard or HDD can be considered an 'upgrade', despite what
MS may say!
I did loads of 'upgrades' with OEM Vista (using retail Win 7 now)