Full Retail or OEM in the long run?

[IronMentality]

Windows XP Professional OEM at Directron.com I believe is $129.99 USD.
Microsoft Office Professional 2003 OEM at NewEgg.com I believe is $315.00 USD.

Windows XP Professional Full Retail anywhere I believe is $299.99 USD (but will use NewEgg for $285). Then, Office Professional 2003 Full Retail is $369.99 USD at NewEgg.

Does it make sense if you always have one desktop and laptop to have the full retail boxed versions originally and simply upgrade as you go along rather then buy the OEM over and over again? Then at least you can always have it on One Desktop and One Laptop.

[flanzig1]

Ifyou buy a laptop, that would already come with the OS of your choice. As for a desktop, if you upgrade as you go, it's still the same comp. so OEM makes cost sense.

[IronMentality]

Assuming it becomes more easy to build your own laptops in the future, with more customizable options, I guess that would only make Full Retail more worthwhile. I forgot Dell forcibly makes you always get Windows every time you buy from them (and everyone else pretty much except for say Sager).

[IronMentality]

Do'h, wrong forum.

[HAL9000]

I wouldn't ever buy the retail version. All you get with it is pretty packaging and support from MS... who needs them when you have Google and PCM?

BTW... for MS Office, you need only to buy one copy. You can legally install it on one desktop and one laptop. You install on the desktop and activate. You then install on the laptop and of course will get an error that your copy is already activated on a computer and you cannot activate on the laptop. Phone the MS Activation line and explain that you have installed on your desktop and now are installing on your laptop. They will provide you with a new activation key.

[IronMentality]

Originally Posted by HAL9000 I wouldn't ever buy the retail version. All you get with it is pretty packaging and support from MS... who needs them when you have Google and PCM? BTW... for MS Office, you need only to buy one copy. You can legally install it on one desktop and one laptop. You install on the desktop and activate. You then install on the laptop and of course will get an error that your copy is already activated on a computer and you cannot activate on the laptop. Phone the MS Activation line and explain that you have installed on your desktop and now are installing on your laptop. They will provide you with a new activation key.

This even goes for OEM Editions of Office you purchased for your desktop that you try to install on a portable device?

[shadowbreaker513]

Originally Posted by HAL9000 I wouldn't ever buy the retail version. All you get with it is pretty packaging and support from MS... who needs them when you have Google and PCM?

Unless of course you could get retail for $30 cheaper than OEM *hugs employee discount*

Anyway, for Windows at least, get the OEM. It will be cheaper in the long run. Even if you need to buy two copies, it's still cheaper than retail.

[IronMentality]

Well, since I can't build a laptop near the quality of a Dell in the forseeable future, it makes sense to go OEM for Windows.

However, for Office, are you sure you can do OEM on one laptop and desktop, if the laptop is also new? I don't think you can, but if you can that would be cool.

Otherwise, it seems like having a full Version of Office and then buying upgrades the rest of the time seems to be the way to go.

[HAL9000]

Originally Posted by IronMentality This even goes for OEM Editions of Office you purchased for your desktop that you try to install on a portable device?

To the best of my knowledge...yes... when in doubt.. give them a call.. they'll letcha know.

[Panama Red]

I know for a fact that the Student Teacher Versions of Office XP or Office 2003 can be installed on 3 computers - legally!

http://www.microsoft.com/office/edit...dents/faq.mspx

[IronMentality]

I know about the Student & Teacher Edition, and while I will be taking advantage of the Academic licensing for the Professional Office version as I plan to get certified, this discussion is purely theoretical

[HAL9000]

Originally Posted by Panama Red I know for a fact that the Student Teacher Versions of Office XP or Office 2003 can be installed on 3 computers - legally! http://www.microsoft.com/office/edit...dents/faq.mspx

Yup.. knew that too.. sell them in my store.