Eric wrote:

"Ken Blake, MVP" wrote in message
...
Eric wrote:

It's been very possible for many years
now to buy a PC with no OS.


True.


It is just cheaper to buy a PC with an
OEM Windows version installed than to buy a PC with no OS and a
regular Windows version.


Not necessarily. I have all my computers custom-built for me by a
local builder. I can buy an OEM copy of Windows from him (which he
will install) or I can buy a copy (either OEM or retail) elsewhere
and install it myself.

I always prefer to buy the computer without an operating system and
buy a retail upgrade copy of Windows elsewhere. The retail upgrade
version is hardly any more expensive than the OEM version, and is
greatly preferable in my view, since it comes without the
restictions of the OEM version. --
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
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The last OS I bought was Windows ME, maybe 5 years ago, when I
believe the full price was $99. I got it with the purchase of a new
PC for $50, when they were otherwise going to sell me the PC with no
OS (and they installed the OS while I waited, even though I know how,
to save me the trouble). The same kind of deals exist for XP/Vista,
except with XP they added the registration process that only allows
you to install on one PC at a time.


First, it's called "activation," not "registration."

Second, they didn't add that requirement, it has always been there since at
least Windows 3.i. The only thing new in XP is that there's an enforcement
mechanism.


Then they added a special process
for OEM versions that only allowed you to install it on one PC (can't
use the same software on another PC even if you want to remove it
from the first PC).


That's also long been the rule for Microsoft OEM software. It's the main
reason I'm against using OEM copies.


So the OEM version is generally cheaper if you
never plan to reuse it.


Only slightly, if it all. Even if it costs slightly more, a retail Upgrade
version is worth it, in my opinion, because you don't have to live with the
OEM version restrictions.


Upgrade version is not an option if you're going from a 32-bit OS to a
64-bit.


That's correct.


OEM is much cheaper than full version for anyone who doesn't have any
previous MS OS.


Anyone who doesn't have a qualifying operating system for an upgrade to
Windows XP can buy a used copy of Windows 98 very inexpensively, for example
on eBay. The price advantage of OEM versions vanish or come very close to
vanishing. As far as I'm concerned, OEM versions are never good values
because of their restrictions--especially the restriction that ties them
permanently to the first computer they are installed on.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup