XP home and pro, why it is so expensive? - Page 2

It depends.

If you sell your laptop to another person, you have to ensure that the copy of Windows installed is wiped off before you deliver it, or else you are technically obligated to hand over the license to it as well (the CD, CD key, manual if it came with one), unless you have a prior agreement.

(Sorry for the legal-type talk.)

Basically an OEM version of XP is just as good as the retail boxed version for much, much cheaper. The $300 version is the "sucker" version IMO. I personally don't see a reason to walk into Best Buy and plunk down gobs of cash for 3x what companies online are selling them for. I still have a unique registration key just like the other version and it's still legal by microsoft's standards just like the other version.

In the unlikelihood of you actually needing support, you won't be able to call Microsoft for the OEM version.

With the retail version, you have support from Microsoft (outside of Windows Update).

I don't see why anyone would buy anything from "notso"Best Buy. They are the most overpriced electronis b&m around and thier tier of electronics-ware is mediocre at best.

The real difference, and this is a point that has been missed here, is that an OEM copy of WindowsXP is not supported by Microsoft.

If you have problems, you call the OEM (Sager, HP, Dell, etc....). Microsoft will not help you out...therefore, since they are not supporting the product, the price is lower. To a degree, they do support the product (updates, for example), but the more mundane aspects are left to the OEM.

For example, I had a retail version of WIndows98 and the CD was scratched. I called Microsoft and they sent me a new CD for free (I paid shipping). I have an OEM version of XP. If I scratch this, Microsoft will NOT replace it.

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On the other question--can you install an OEM version on another machine. It depends. Legally, as pointed out, you are entitled to install and version of Windows on one machine at a time. If you build your machine every 6 months, you can install the OEM version over and over again each time provided the previous machine is decommissioned. At times, you need to call MS so they will allow activation again, but I have never had a problem with this once I explained my circumstances.

PCTorque/Sager sells laptops sans OS because they know there are people like us out there who routinely migrate up, discarding older machines, so why sell us something we don't need. Indeed, it is one reason why I bought a Sager.

Practically, it is not always possible. I have installed DELL-badged OEM disks on other machines no problem in the past; I have been told that this may not be currently true, as Dell OEM disks are keyed to the hardware. This past week, I ran into an HP that would not work on a the same freaking machine after a new harddrive install because the drive needs to be "tatooes" with an HP code. (I simply imaged the original disk to the new disk, which transferred the tatoo to get around this).

So, you never know unless you try.

....errr. what revenent said

I just picked the name of a random mainstream electronics store. It could have just as easily been Fry's or Circuit City.

I guess I never thought about the support aspect because I just don't see myself needing actual tech support from Microsoft. I still don't know if it's $230 extra dollars worth of tech support though.

If you're a college student looking to buy an OS be sure to check your college bookstore; I got Windows XP Pro (OEM) for $20. I also got to download a second full version of Pro because students in my major (Computer Science) get access to a website with tons of free software.

Just curious, are the OEM versions that come with Dells and HPs just as bloated with the software the original machines come on? You know, Musicmatch, AOL Trial, blah blah blah.

Living here in redmond, WA it's easy to get microsoft friends to buy pro for you for $30 a pop.

It's not $30 anymore.

Eventide,
My old Dell Inspiron 8200 did come with a lot of "junk" software, but it is on a seperate restore CD.

Also, the Dell-branded OEM Windows XP CD I have for that laptop does not work on other computers. I tried using it as "proof of ownership" in lieu of my missing Windows 98 CD during a recent desktop reformating and it did not work.

"It's not $30 anymore." You are correct, now that I looked at the box it's $35.

But 30 or 35, what's the difference when you are saving hundreds.

[edit: XP Pro Full Edition at the M$ Store]

I've found that if you have Marketpro Computer shows in your area they have vendors that sell OEM versions of software which tend to be cheaper than retail. I was at a show and saw XP Pro for $70 and asked about it and the salesman asked if I had a Dell and said it would only work with Dell. One point here is the more expensive retail version will work on any computer and isn't brand specific. The OEM versions you just have to ask. Microsoft developed a new policy for their software a few years ago where you have a time limited to register or the product will stop working and once you register that key it can't be used again. If you have to re-install you have to call customer service to get a key. They are trying to make it so you can't buy 1 copy and install it on many pc's. They are trying to stop pirating and thats why they are distributing to OEM's this way. It's all related to Microsoft wanting to increase profits by cutting pirating.

Sorry, just have to jump on a tangent for a sec.

But does everybody think this way? That Microsoft wants to cut pirating to increase profits? And not to reduce losses?

Just wondering.

Actually;

They are both the same. Increase profit = decreased losses.

If you look arround the internet you will find WinXP Pro available for free download all over the place. I am not suggesting this corse of action, I am pointing out that WinXP is one of the most pirated softwarez of all time and hell-yah they are loosing a lot of money. The real question here is what is fare use.

I personally think that if you spend $300 on the full OS you should be able to install it on any and all of your own comps/lappies. What is not cool is when you make a bunch of copies and give it to all of your friends. Of corse this is exactly what we all do with music and there is not much difference.

My point is that M$ is leaning to hard on the people that are playing by the rules and not enough on the booming pirating busniess.

Last but not least. For me this is not an issue; because we have a sight license for WinXP Pro and many other MS apps.

Another interesting point; MS sent a full copy of Office 2003 to all employees at my workplace. This is highly unethical and or ethics office collect all of these unsolicited gifts and sent them back to MS. What was MS trying to do? They were trying to push our it department to upgrade to Office 2003 right away. We will not upgrade until it is fully approved by our internal compatibility testing.

Dave

If you think about it, M$ would be stupid to go after everyone that has a pireted version of thier software. If they had some sort of way to make it impossible to load a pirated copy of XP, just think how many more people would be using Linux or the open-source type OS's. M$ should continue to turn a blind eye on this practice if they want to keep loose share of thier installed base.

Disclaimer...Pirating software is bad....just say No!

Opps bad english ...."M$ should continue to turn a blind eye on this practice if they don't want to loose thier installed base."

Exactly!!!

And this is why they lean on thos of us that try to play fair. The other problem for MS is that they are competting with themselves a lot of businesses are happy with Win2K and Office 2K.

Dave