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#1
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Multiple Copies Of 7: Cheapest Way?
I'm thinking about converting a half-dozen personal-use PCs from
XP Pro to Windows 7 Pro. (although my choice of Windows 7 Pro vs the many other versions is based on nothing except the sound of name....) Looks like a single license is about $75-85. Is there a cheaper way than multiple single licenses? An MSDN subscription? Something else? -- Pete Cresswell |
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#2
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Multiple Copies Of 7: Cheapest Way?
(PeteCresswell) wrote:
I'm thinking about converting a half-dozen personal-use PCs from XP Pro to Windows 7 Pro. (although my choice of Windows 7 Pro vs the many other versions is based on nothing except the sound of name....) Looks like a single license is about $75-85. Is there a cheaper way than multiple single licenses? An MSDN subscription? Something else? And would that be the retail or OEM/systemBuilder version? Are you willing to install a license and have it permanently stick to a particular host so you can pay less for the OEM version, or do you want the ability to later move that license to another host which means paying more for the retail version? Volume licensing. The smallest volume pack is 5 licenses. Volume licenses must be distributed within the same organization. They are not to be purchased and then sliced off for separate sale or distribution to other entities. That means if the 6 hosts you have are all in the same company then volume licensing will work but if they are all separate clients then you can't use a volume license and instead have to get a separate license for each client. You "converting a half- dozen personal-use PCs" doesn't say if they are all yours or all within your family or if you'll be using those licenses with separate users that are not part of some encompassing "organization". At newegg.com, you can get a 3-pack OEM version fo $400 which is all of $20 cheaper than then getting 3 individual OEM versions. So for a one-time installation involving just 6 hosts, it may not be worth getting the 3-pack version. MSDN subscriptions: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/buy.aspx An MSDN subscription will start you at around $700. You think that is a good-value purchase for just 6 licenses of Windows 7 that alone would cost $400? Like volume licenses, all installations from an MSDN license are to be distributed within the same organization that has the MSDN subscription. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006ZWQIVC/...N=B006Z WQIVC This lists Windows 7 Pro for $90 but there's no mention if you're getting an OEM or retail version, just that no retail packaging is included. No experience with the selling source or this style of product. Buy at your own risk. |
#3
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Multiple Copies Of 7: Cheapest Way?
Per VanguardLH:
MSDN subscriptions: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/buy.aspx An MSDN subscription will start you at around $700. You think that is a good-value purchase for just 6 licenses of Windows 7 that alone would cost $400? Like volume licenses, all installations from an MSDN license are to be distributed within the same organization that has the MSDN subscription. Actually, I'm partial to the MSDN route because I like to fool around and I'm assuming it includes a *lot* of stuff in terms of development environments and servers as well as MS Office. I've had MSDN a couple of times in the past - waaaaay back when they shipped a pile of DVDs and then sent periodic update DVDs. But I've lost touch with the terms/contents of today's versions - although I realize that everything gets downloaded by the user. Sounds like it's either retail copies or MSDN for my particular situation. (all the PCs are in the family - albeit not under the same roof) -- Pete Cresswell |
#4
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Multiple Copies Of 7: Cheapest Way?
On 3/4/2012 5:03 PM, (PeteCresswell) wrote:
Per VanguardLH: MSDN subscriptions: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/buy.aspx An MSDN subscription will start you at around $700. You think that is a good-value purchase for just 6 licenses of Windows 7 that alone would cost $400? Like volume licenses, all installations from an MSDN license are to be distributed within the same organization that has the MSDN subscription. Actually, I'm partial to the MSDN route because I like to fool around and I'm assuming it includes a *lot* of stuff in terms of development environments and servers as well as MS Office. I've had MSDN a couple of times in the past - waaaaay back when they shipped a pile of DVDs and then sent periodic update DVDs. But I've lost touch with the terms/contents of today's versions - although I realize that everything gets downloaded by the user. Sounds like it's either retail copies or MSDN for my particular situation. (all the PCs are in the family - albeit not under the same roof) MS does have a "Partner" program you might want to look into. It can include Technet software access. |
#5
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Multiple Copies Of 7: Cheapest Way?
On Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:03:53 -0500, "(PeteCresswell)"
wrote: Sounds like it's either retail copies or MSDN for my particular situation. (all the PCs are in the family - albeit not under the same roof) When you say retail, do you really mean retail or do you mean upgrade? The upgrade versions are quite a bit less expensive, I believe. -- Char Jackson |
#6
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Multiple Copies Of 7: Cheapest Way?
(PeteCresswell) wrote:
Per VanguardLH: MSDN subscriptions: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/buy.aspx An MSDN subscription will start you at around $700. You think that is a good-value purchase for just 6 licenses of Windows 7 that alone would cost $400? Like volume licenses, all installations from an MSDN license are to be distributed within the same organization that has the MSDN subscription. Actually, I'm partial to the MSDN route because I like to fool around and I'm assuming it includes a *lot* of stuff in terms of development environments and servers as well as MS Office. If you look at the MSDN subscription page to which I linked, you'll see that you only get the operating systems in the $700 package. The toolkits, SDKs, and driver kits are available separately as free downloads. Yeah, they're included in the OS-only MSDN subscription but they also available separately and are free. Sounds like it's either retail copies or MSDN for my particular situation. (all the PCs are in the family - albeit not under the same roof) For 6 family hosts, getting two 3-pack OEM products at newegg for $400 each (for $800 total) would be more expensive than the MSDN OS-only subscription at $700 (for the first year; renewals cost $500). You get to continue using the software after the subscription expires (i.e., you only buy the subscription for 1 year and then drop it); however, read below on the conditions under which you are permitted to use the software provided with that subscription! MSDN subscriptions are used by those that develop and demonstrate their software using Microsoft's products. It is for use in test environments on development hosts. It is NOT supposed to be used for production hosts (which what your family members have). When a software development company buys an MSDN license that's because they are producing software that uses those Microsoft products. They ARE a software developer. A company that merely wants to provide Windows workstations to their employees do NOT buy an MSDN license (since they aren't developers) but have to buy a *volume* license. Read: http://msdn.microsoft.com/subscriptions/cc150618.aspx If everyone in your family are programmers and are producing programs that operate using Microsoft's products then the MSDN subscription will work. I really doubt that's what your family does. MSDN = MicroSoft *DEVELOPER* Network Are all your family members actually developers producing, distributing, and possible selling MS-based programs? Your family doesn't qualify for MSDN licensing. It appears that not even you qualify for it. |
#7
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Multiple Copies Of 7: Cheapest Way?
charlie wrote:
On 3/4/2012 5:03 PM, (PeteCresswell) wrote: Per VanguardLH: MSDN subscriptions: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/buy.aspx An MSDN subscription will start you at around $700. You think that is a good-value purchase for just 6 licenses of Windows 7 that alone would cost $400? Like volume licenses, all installations from an MSDN license are to be distributed within the same organization that has the MSDN subscription. Actually, I'm partial to the MSDN route because I like to fool around and I'm assuming it includes a *lot* of stuff in terms of development environments and servers as well as MS Office. I've had MSDN a couple of times in the past - waaaaay back when they shipped a pile of DVDs and then sent periodic update DVDs. But I've lost touch with the terms/contents of today's versions - although I realize that everything gets downloaded by the user. Sounds like it's either retail copies or MSDN for my particular situation. (all the PCs are in the family - albeit not under the same roof) MS does have a "Partner" program you might want to look into. It can include Technet software access. Microsoft Partner Program is now the Microsoft Partner Network. https://partner.microsoft.com/download/US/40141173 (this is a .docx file download) For what Pete wants, he, his family, and other end users don't qualify as a partner. What requirements must I meet? https://partner.microsoft.com/40109866#4 Pete and his family don't qualify for an MSDN subscription, either. These programs are for real partners and real programmers, not end users looking for some alternate avenue to volume licensing. |
#8
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Multiple Copies Of 7: Cheapest Way?
Per VanguardLH:
It appears that not even you qualify for it. I produce, but do not license or distribute. I'm just a lowly contract developer. -- Pete Cresswell |
#9
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Multiple Copies Of 7: Cheapest Way?
"Char Jackson" wrote in message
... On Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:03:53 -0500, "(PeteCresswell)" wrote: Sounds like it's either retail copies or MSDN for my particular situation. (all the PCs are in the family - albeit not under the same roof) When you say retail, do you really mean retail or do you mean upgrade? The upgrade versions are quite a bit less expensive, I believe. -- Char Jackson Hi, Char. There are "upgrade" and "full" retail packages. The actual bits on the DVDs are the same, but the "upgrade" retail package is less expensive because its Setup.exe checks for a qualifying version of Windows already installed and activated on the computer before continuing with the installation. (Yes, there are well-known ways to thwart that restriction, but the difference between the full and upgrade DVDs does exist - hence the price difference.) In this case, the distinction is between "full" and "upgrade", not between "retail" and OEM. RC -- R. C. White, CPA San Marcos, TX Microsoft Windows MVP (2002-2010) Windows Live Mail 2011 (Build 15.4.3538.0513) in Win7 Ultimate x64 SP1 |
#10
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Multiple Copies Of 7: Cheapest Way?
On Sun, 04 Mar 2012 10:48:22 -0500, (PeteCresswell) wrote:
I'm thinking about converting a half-dozen personal-use PCs from XP Pro to Windows 7 Pro. (although my choice of Windows 7 Pro vs the many other versions is based on nothing except the sound of name....) Looks like a single license is about $75-85. Is there a cheaper way than multiple single licenses? An MSDN subscription? Something else? No offense here, and yes, I realize it's not what you asked about - but have you even considered trying a free Linux distribution on any of those computers? |
#11
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Multiple Copies Of 7: Cheapest Way?
"R. C. White" écrivait
ecom: There are "upgrade" and "full" retail packages. The actual bits on the DVDs are the same, but the "upgrade" retail package is less expensive because its Setup.exe checks for a qualifying version of Windows already installed and activated on the computer before continuing with the installation. I don't think it checks for activation because if you use the "upgrade over itself" method on empty hard disk with upgrade DVD, you don't enter key, don't get updates and don't activate the first installation, you do so when you "upgrade" it with itself and the first installation will qualify even if not activated. |
#12
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Multiple Copies Of 7: Cheapest Way?
On Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:51:06 -0600, Char Jackson
wrote: On Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:03:53 -0500, "(PeteCresswell)" wrote: Sounds like it's either retail copies or MSDN for my particular situation. (all the PCs are in the family - albeit not under the same roof) When you say retail, do you really mean retail or do you mean upgrade? A clarification, if I may. There are two kinds of retail versions: Full and Upgrade. So an Upgrade *is* a retail version The upgrade versions are quite a bit less expensive, I believe. Yes, they are. |
#13
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Multiple Copies Of 7: Cheapest Way?
On Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:38:48 -0700, Ken Blake
wrote: On Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:51:06 -0600, Char Jackson wrote: On Sun, 04 Mar 2012 17:03:53 -0500, "(PeteCresswell)" wrote: Sounds like it's either retail copies or MSDN for my particular situation. (all the PCs are in the family - albeit not under the same roof) When you say retail, do you really mean retail or do you mean upgrade? A clarification, if I may. There are two kinds of retail versions: Full and Upgrade. So an Upgrade *is* a retail version I see what you and R.C. are saying, but I don't see it that way. Thanks for the clarification, though. -- Char Jackson |
#14
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Multiple Copies Of 7: Cheapest Way?
Per ray:
No offense here, and yes, I realize it's not what you asked about - but have you even considered trying a free Linux distribution on any of those computers? Way back when I was groping around trying to build myself a Tivo-On-Steroids, I tried Ubuntu and something called "MythTV". To make a long story short, it was like having a second job - but the pay was really bad. After putting in enough hours that, if I had worked at McDonald's I could have earned enough for ten Tivos and at least two sixty-inch plasma TVs, I dumped Myth in favor of now-defunct SageTV on Windows Home Server box and never looked back. From what little I know, I would say that Linux definitely has a role - especially for a box where all somebody does is email, web browsing, and whatever can be done in Open Office.... and they have somebody to call if there's a problem. But I make my living developing for the MS Office Suite - and the older I get, the fewer brain cells I have to spare... so I gravitate towards Windows. I'm one of those who said the wouldn't leave XP until dragged kicking and screaming.... The reason I'm toying with the notion of going from XP to 7 now is that the rumor mill is saying that my main customer will make the move sometime in the next year or so - and since I'll have to migrate eventually anyhow, it seems like maybe life would be a little simpler with one OS all around. -- Pete Cresswell |
#15
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Multiple Copies Of 7: Cheapest Way?
On 3/05/2012, (PeteCresswell) posted:
Per ray: No offense here, and yes, I realize it's not what you asked about - but have you even considered trying a free Linux distribution on any of those computers? Way back when I was groping around trying to build myself a Tivo-On-Steroids, I tried Ubuntu and something called "MythTV". To make a long story short, it was like having a second job - but the pay was really bad. After putting in enough hours that, if I had worked at McDonald's I could have earned enough for ten Tivos and at least two sixty-inch plasma TVs, I dumped Myth in favor of now-defunct SageTV on Windows Home Server box and never looked back. From what little I know, I would say that Linux definitely has a role - especially for a box where all somebody does is email, web browsing, and whatever can be done in Open Office.... and they have somebody to call if there's a problem. But I make my living developing for the MS Office Suite - and the older I get, the fewer brain cells I have to spare... so I gravitate towards Windows. I'm one of those who said the wouldn't leave XP until dragged kicking and screaming.... The reason I'm toying with the notion of going from XP to 7 now is that the rumor mill is saying that my main customer will make the move sometime in the next year or so - and since I'll have to migrate eventually anyhow, it seems like maybe life would be a little simpler with one OS all around. It's also not a bad idea to be ahead of your client on the learning curve :-) -- Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch) |
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