Windows 7 OEM pricing revealed by Newegg
By Donald Melanson 
posted Sep 29th 2009 4:39PM
posted Sep 29th 2009 4:39PM
Well, it's not the fifty bucks that OEMs are said to be paying for a copy of Windows on the average PC, but the pricing for individual OEM copies of Windows 7 has now finally been revealed by the folks at Newegg and, as expected, it's still a good deal cheaper than the full retail price. Things start at just $99.99 (after a $10 discount) for a full version of Windows 7 Home Premium (compared to $199 retail), and move up to $134.99 for the OEM Professional edition, and $174.99 for the Ultimate edition (also after a pre-order discount that's good until October 20th). Of course, there are a few limitations if you decide to go the OEM route yourself (like not being able to transfer the license between PCs, and a complete lack of an upgrade option), but we're guessing that extra $100+ back in your pocket will more than make up for those drawbacks with plenty of folks.
[Via DailyTech]
Struggling to compete with Snow Leopard? I wouldn't be surprised. w.e. Ill take it. See you at a launch party:P
Dunno dude, it's £30 at my college for me, maybe the same $30 if you go to a US college.
Lol, I go to Duke. Windows 7 upgrades are free* for us!
*Free with paid 4 year tuition @$50,000 a year.
any college student with a .edu email can get windows 7 profession for 30 dollars through Microsoft's website through the end of the year.
@Chuckles:
Hey, I go to Duke too. Where you gettin' free upgrades from?
He gets the five-finger discount at the bookstore.
$30 at Stony Brook University for me. :)
MSDNAA, oh yeah!
Wait, so if I build a system for myself, I can use this?
If not, can I "sell" it to myself then?
@10minutehobo: Of course you can use it. Why would they sell you a product that you aren't allowed to use?
I don't get this: "not being able to transfer the license between PCs." Does this just mean you can only be using an OEM copy on one PC at a time, or does it literally stop working when you buy a new motherboard??
Ms doesn't want you to. but ive installed oem vista on over 3 pcs simultaneously. i think that you have to wait like 90 days in between activations, or something like that.
Crap now I'm confused- you mean with the 12 different flavors of Windows 7 now we add more with the OEM variations? FUD...
u probably should be using a mac ... and hopefully u dont work in a technology field ( sadly modern computing can be complex at times)
1) there are 6 versions of Windows 7, 4 for the consumer to choose from if you leave out Enterprise and Basic
2) the OEM editions are the exact same thing as the retail editions. there is no difference between OEM Premium and retail Premium
3) you must have a rough time picking a flavor at baskin robbins... 32 flavors?!
If you really want to simplify, there's really only 2 editions for consumers..
Home Premium and Professional... If I'm not mistaken both 32 and 64 bit are on the same disk so count that out.
My guess is that most are going to be fine with Home Premium anyway..
If you are confused that easily, maybe you should stick with an Etch-A-Sketch instead of a computer.
It's not that confusing. These are exactly the same as the normal versions but without the fancy packaging and support.
MS shows their hypocrisy when they criticized Google for having Chrome and Android.
Now they want to rob the consumers 12 different ways with 12 different versions of
Vista Pro. $179 for the shitty OS? No thanks. I'm sticking with XP Pro!
There's a small difference retail has free phone support and oem charges you $30 per phone call to MS
There have always been OEM versions of Microsofts OS. You just have to buy some piece of hardware with them normaly even a cable.
I get mine with a long screw.
Just so you know, you can easily transfer OEM windows between computers or in my case after upgrades etc. Sometimes it requires a call to Microsoft if you have done it too many times, but it's a really easy automated system, they never have given me any trouble.
I installed Win7 on one computer and had to call to get it activated the second time I installed it. With Vista I activated it ~ 10 times before I had to call to activate it.
Seems like rules a a bit tighter with Windows 7.
I think that you have to wait ~ 90 days after the first activation before you can do it again (or something like that)
Huh, Windows 7 isn't out yet, how did you call to activate it? I imagine it's the same as Vista once it's officially released. I'm having my House Party so I'm getting the full version, I just have to do the embarrassing party.
Why would you need to transfer the license between PCs?
When you change your motherboard. That counts as a PC change. As does changing a lot of other parts at the same time.
Because people do this thing called "building your own computer" and when they build a new one (or even make significant upgrades to an existing one) they don't want to have to re-buy their OS
I guess I dont understand why you wouldn't purchase a new OEM copy when you build a brand new set up?
Are you serious? Why would you pay another $100 for software you already own? I guess you swim in money.
People love to complain based on things that are completely wrong. I've upgraded and rebuilt, changed motherboards, hard drives, cpu's etc in my computer many times with no problem using my original Windows Vista OEM disc for a reinstall. Sometimes it requires a quick call to MS automated phone system, but it's no big deal. I imagine Win 7 will be the same way. So why is everyone complaining again?
http://slickdeals.net/?sid=4407&u2=http://windows7.digitalriver.com/store/mswpus/en_US/DisplayHomePage
Is only $30 for college student
That is a great deal but that is the Upgrade version only. If you want the full Retail version, you can call Microsoft at 1-877-MY-MS-STORE. I made a comment about it farther down. Just an FYI
OEM just mean you don't get the pretty packaging and installation support. You are on your own.
The reduced cost is because OEM packages are bought in bulk by PC builders. Stores like NewEgg buy a large amount of OEM materials that they turn around and sell to you directly (hence their generally cheaper prices).
For the qualified do-it-yourselfer out there, this is the route to go.
well that and the license is different. its far more difficult to transfer the license between PCs with an OEM license. if you only plan on using Windows 7 on one PC, OEM is the way to go but if you plan on getting a new PC or replacing your motherboard frequently you should get the retail version.
Read Boosjunkie's post above.
Transfering (even OEM licenses) isn't a big problem. If it doesn't work initially, you just have to make a phone call.
Windows 7 is awesome, faster, smoother and never slows down. i have been using the 7077 build version since April and never had a problem like i did with XP, (haven't used vista for a long time)
I am going to get mine for free, you know from where...
...the toothfairy?
so instead of paying $99 and using it forever, with free service packs (im looking at you apple charigng $30 for a version .1 update that should be free), youll risk downloading a cracked version with god knows what packaged in with it. smart.
xp still works fine and service pack is free (not like snow leopard)
Call me when XP's memory management is not horrid.
Oh wait.
When has XP's memory management ever been horrid? Have you ever touched XP, let alone any Windows based computer?
maybe he's talking about windows ME's memory management.
Just an FYI to everybody out there that may not know this. Microsoft is selling Windows 7 Upgrades AND Retail versions of the Home Premium and Professional versions to STUDENTS ONLY for only $30. This can only be done via telephone by calling 1-877-MY-MS-STORE. All you need is a valid school email (.edu) and a credit card/debit card for ordering over the phone. This is an AMAZING deal and let me repeat, it DOES include the FULL RETAIL ($200/$300) 32-bit and 64-bit of the Home Premium and Professional versions of Windows 7. The Ultimate version is not included for whatever reason. I ordered mine today and it will be shipped out on October 22nd.
Professional's been available free for a good while now through MSDNAA. :D
Certain students also have access to MSDNAA and can get it that way too.
Link? The only thing I found was this:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/securedownloads/default.aspx?pv=36:350
Thanks Galen! I called them and I'm getting a full version too! Thanks for the tip. Too bad Digital River won't let me cancel my order. Guess I can let someone else use it.
It's true. I got Win 7 Pro for free through my college's MSDNAA. Already graduated this past spring though. Was pretty happy when I came across it ;)