Which Version of Windows 7 To Buy

[mastergrader]

Greetings:

I am finalizing my new build and am about to order my new Operating System. With all of the different versions of Windows 7 out there, it is a little bewildering as to which one would be best for me.
I don't primarily want to use the computer as a gaming system, but want as much options as possible. It will initially have 4 Gb of RAM.
Because of the price disparities, is it necessary or especially prudent to get the "full" version, or will an OEM suffice? The only reason I am considering the full version is because I have read about some problems concerning the 64 bit versions and not being able to view streaming video. I enjoy watching streaming news videos and would not like to install an OS which didn't support this. With the full version, you have the option of 64 bit or 32 bit.

Any help is much appreciated!

WTM

[orbrit]

Only difference between the OEM and retail versions is support (or lack of) with the OEM.

64 bit will allow full use of your 4Gb and any future upgrades beyond that. 32 bit OS's are limited to 4Gb total addressable space, so that translates to somewhere between 3 and 3.5Gb actually usable by the OS. OEM 64 and 32 bit versions are also available.

The main differences are between the Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate versions.

Windows 7 Home doesn't have XP Mode, but that doesn't appear to be that much of an issue with most current applications.

This table shows the main differences. Most find that Home Premium meets their needs for a home PC.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...e/default.aspx

[mastergrader]

Thanks for the info. What about the problem of video support? WTM

[orbrit]

I've never heard of any issues or restrictions with video support with any OS.

That's more about drivers and video codecs.

[pam123]

The OEM version is tied to your hardware (The motherboard) and the retail version isn't.

[orbrit]

good point - which technically means you have to buy another OS when you replace the PC that you first installed the OEM version on.

This is not a big deal - assuming the PC lasts 3-4 years, the next OS will be out by then and you probably won't be wanting to install the old OS anyways.

[Dave in Houston]

Originally Posted by pam123 The OEM version is tied to your hardware (The motherboard) and the retail version isn't.

How do they tie it to the motherboard exactly?

I'm running XP on 3 boxes. When I reloaded the system on of the boxes this weekend, I accidentally put in the key code from one of the other boxes. It loaded and activated without a problem. Am I inviting problems down the road?

By the way, should I start a new thread for this kind of question, or is it relevant here?

Thanks!

[orbrit]

If you were to try to activate again in the near future it would probably flag and prompt you to call Microsoft and verify it is only installed on one PC. It's more about conforming to the license agreement, rather than a physical means of binding an installation key to a hardware ID.

There's a certain amount of trust on Microsoft's part. You agree to the terms of the license agreement and so if they were to find you in violation you could well be fined.

Probably very unlikely for a home user but dangerous practice for businesses!

The company I worked for in London got fined over $5 million by the Federation Against Software Theft before I joined them. My first job was standardizing the desktop environment to ensure we knew what was installed and licensed.