Consumer Versions of Windows Vista Available Early

Consumer Versions of Windows Vista Available Early

Slimy on 21 January 2007 - 22:13 · 31 comments & 11989 views

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The official launch of Windows Vista is planned for January 30. Some online retailers have, however, made the operating system available early. mwave.com states that it has Vista 32-bit Home Basic OEM for $89.90, Vista 32-bit Home Basic OEM 3-pack for $268.90 and Vista 32-bit Business OEM for $139.90, all in stock and ready to ship. Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate are currently unavailable. Customers are limited to two copies of Vista Home Basic OEM or Vista Business OEM and they must be purchased with hardware for licensing reasons. You can probably get away with ordering a really cheap piece of hardware and still saving a lot over the retail price of Vista. Overclockers UK has previously also started listing OEM versions of Vista.

Link: mwave.com | Overclockers UK

News source: DailyTech

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#1 Willdev on 21 Jan 2007 - 22:29

At Overclockers you dont need to buy hardware to get Vista

(3 replies) #2 nistromo on 21 Jan 2007 - 22:39

I got my OEM Ultimate from Overclockers on friday and I didnt buy any hardware

#2.1 Enigma776 on 21 Jan 2007 - 22:46

there gonna get a knock at the door then aint they, as they have broken the license on oem buying

#2.2 BBinder on 21 Jan 2007 - 23:00

Quote - (Enigma776 said @ #2.1)

there gonna get a knock at the door then aint they, as they have broken the license on oem buying

i read a while back that MS changed there license so you didnt have to buy hardware anymore

#2.3 cpu121 on 22 Jan 2007 - 12:52

Quote - (BBinder said @ #2.2)

Quote - (Enigma776 said @ #2.1)

there gonna get a knock at the door then aint they, as they have broken the license on oem buying

i read a while back that MS changed there license so you didnt have to buy hardware anymore

I heard Microsoft changed the licencing so that OEM versions could only be sold with a complete system or to authorised System Builders.

(1 reply) #3 bmaher on 21 Jan 2007 - 22:43

Things are always available early - it happens.

/me waits for "Newsflash: Microsoft to sue 200 online retailers"

#3.1 Daedalus on 21 Jan 2007 - 22:46

Since they are not selling the retail versions yet, I don't think there will be a problem...

#4 Daedalus on 21 Jan 2007 - 22:45

Still waiting for some decent drivers though!

#5 Gism0 on 21 Jan 2007 - 22:46

My ultimate oem from OCUK should be here on monday

#6 wize_guy123 on 21 Jan 2007 - 23:03

Best Buy will be selling Vista computers on January 27th, but the customers can't bring them home until the 30th.

(2 replies) #7 ir0nw0lf on 21 Jan 2007 - 23:51

One of my vendors lists CD versions for only Home Basic and Business, all versions including those come of course in DVD. I thought there were going to be no CD versions? Other nice thing is that there is no price increase in the 64-bit versions vs. the 32-bit versions, which I had a funny feeling they were going to try doing (price increase). The vendor shows $118 for Home Premium and $201 for Ultimate. I figure that's going to be roughly the going rate on the net.

/queue the whiners who will B&M that these prices are too high and should only cost $5.

#7.1 baskingridge on 22 Jan 2007 - 00:22

CD versions will be available, thanks to whiners who B&M over $15 - $20.

#7.2 EduardValencia on 22 Jan 2007 - 00:56

lol

(3 replies) #8 +kraized on 21 Jan 2007 - 23:53

Is there a way to select certain components you want to install while installing the OS like you can with OSX? Doesn't Vista Ultimate need like 15GB to install?

#8.1 Danrarbc641 on 22 Jan 2007 - 03:39

Quote - (kraized said @ #

Is there a way to select certain components you want to install while installing the OS like you can with OSX? Doesn't Vista Ultimate need like 15GB to install?

No and no.

Vista uses around 8GB for an Ultimate install IIRC. Home Premium would use a bit less hard drive space.

#8.2 +kraized on 22 Jan 2007 - 08:27

Quote - (Danrarbc641 said @ #8.1)

Quote - (kraized said @ #

Is there a way to select certain components you want to install while installing the OS like you can with OSX? Doesn't Vista Ultimate need like 15GB to install?

No and no.

Vista uses around 8GB for an Ultimate install IIRC. Home Premium would use a bit less hard drive space.

So you've got to install the whole OS, even the bits you don't want, and then after install, uninstall all the crap

#8.3 BBinder on 22 Jan 2007 - 10:36

Quote - (kraized said @ #8.2)

Quote - (Danrarbc641 said @ #8.1)

Quote - (kraized said @ #

Is there a way to select certain components you want to install while installing the OS like you can with OSX? Doesn't Vista Ultimate need like 15GB to install?

No and no.

Vista uses around 8GB for an Ultimate install IIRC. Home Premium would use a bit less hard drive space.

So you've got to install the whole OS, even the bits you don't want, and then after install, uninstall all the crap

use vlite before you install?

#9 MMaster23 on 22 Jan 2007 - 01:29

if we wanted to, the company that i work for could have sold them 7 days ago... Microsoft NL asked us not to and to respect the launch date.

we love to hype stuff up so we're patient

#10 barbary on 22 Jan 2007 - 09:58

So just after I read this the doorbell went and it was the nice my from DHL with my copy of Vista Ultimate.

Still with no drivers for my 8800 GTX what is the point.

(1 reply) #11 AndyD on 22 Jan 2007 - 12:55

Will OEM copies allow for transferring license to a new pc?

#11.1 markjensen on 22 Jan 2007 - 14:01

OEM versions of the license have never allowed transfer to a new PC, if I recall correctly. I think that the term that Microsoft representatives have used is that the license "lives and dies with the PC".

And the definition of PC has been made more clear: A new motherboard (except for a failure that replaces it with the same/nearest equivalent) is a new PC, and the OEM license isn't valid.

Not to say that you can't get it authorized over the phone, if you need to. But, technically, the license would no longer be valid just so you can upgrade your motherboard.

#12 Denus on 22 Jan 2007 - 13:03

I think not: OEM software is related to the hardware (System) so it should not be possible normally to transferred a license to another system. (Correct me if I'm wrong)

#13 AndyD on 22 Jan 2007 - 13:22

Then makes more sense to pay for retail

(1 reply) #14 ZombieFly on 22 Jan 2007 - 14:02

sorry if i've been under a rock, but why are the 32 and 64 bit versions sold seperately?! I thought the one licence allowed you to use either version?

which version do i go for now? how do we know if 64bit will take off? what if nothing is supported?

oh well, guess i wont buy it then

#14.1 kcumberbatch on 22 Jan 2007 - 21:48

"Most" hardware is supported on X64 - I have Manufacturer drivers for the following/they are working with the default VISTA drivers
Raid Card - RocketRaid 2310
Leadtex 6600gt video card
HP All-in-one printer/scanner/fax
Logitech Wireless mouse/keyboard
Onboard Sound/NIC for Asus A8N-SLI Premium Motherboard
DSL Modem

What does not work/will "never" work
Creative Live 5.1 card - Creative will not create Vista drivers for this sound card
Logitech Pro 4000 Webcam - Logitech has stated they will not create Vista drivers

#15 NinjaGinger on 22 Jan 2007 - 15:40

Mine just arrived but no drivers for certain hardware, will have to wait for the manufacturers to get there finger out.

(1 reply) #16 Meacham on 22 Jan 2007 - 15:57

I just been to my supplier and was shocked at the OEM price... £133.50 for 64-Bit OEM and £129.05 for the 32-Bit version, it does not state if this is an upgrade version or full version, I would imagine it's a full OEM version, they do not have retails prices as of yet I have just asked about these, but OEM prices I am shocked because I thought they would have been more expensive for the Ultimate version.

#16.1 +d4v1d04 on 22 Jan 2007 - 17:30

In order to build a machine, you need to use a full operating system, not just an upgrade version. Therefore the OEM version *must* be full, rather than upgrade...

#17 kcumberbatch on 22 Jan 2007 - 20:13

Me hugs my Company's MSDN subscription, that allows me to play with all the nice Microsft toys without paying.

(1 reply) #18 hapbt on 22 Jan 2007 - 21:06

I just want to take this opportunity to remind you that Vista is garbage.

#18.1 neogator on 22 Jan 2007 - 23:49

i will be receiving my free "garbage" very shortly...

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