Is this version legit and reliable

[fishbowl38]

found a very cheap copy of windows 7 professional on amazon. is this a trustable license?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008OS5NKW/?tag=pcp0f-21

 

[legend001523]

I would say so, the amazon rating of the store is 4 and half stars out of 5 and amazon only let legit sellers on it , so yeah, it's legit

 

[bignastyid]

If it comes with an oem dell product key then it is not technically legal.

 

[Eduello]

Seems to be legit, but as you can see from the picture, the disc is not a normal OEM disc (it says Dell on it), and was probably not meant for sale.

 

[fishbowl38]

Anyone know better alternatives of a better price? professional if possible but home premium is just as good
How does this one look: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microsoft-Windows-7-Professional-64-Bit-Full-Version-Coa-Product-Key-Life-time-/141322730605?pt=UK_Computing_Software_Software_SR&hash=item20e77dbc6d seems to have better reviews than the amazon one but just a slightly higher price tag of £6
how'd about this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Microsoft-Windows-7-Professional-64Bit-Full-System-Builder-DVD-Pack-SP1-sealed-/281411168749?pt=UK_Computing_Software_Software_SR&hash=item418569a9ed

 

[WyomingKnott]

Dell installation CDs can't be used legally except for the Dell system they were sold with. The disk is also likely tailored for a specific machine with specific hardware drivers, and may not work on a different machine. Dell is clever that way.

The first one you linked to on Ebay has a similar problem; see the label "Already installed on your computer." That license is used and tied to the original hardware. The second one looks legit, but I have no way of knowing if that's what you will really get.

 

[fishbowl38]

Dell installation CDs can't be used legally except for the Dell system they were sold with. The disk is also likely tailored for a specific machine with specific hardware drivers, and may not work on a different machine. Dell is clever that way.

The first one you linked to on Ebay has a similar problem; see the label "Already installed on your computer." That license is used and tied to the original hardware. The second one looks legit, but I have no way of knowing if that's what you will really get.

In that case, where would you recommend is the most suitable place to buy windows 7 from at a low cost.

 

[WyomingKnott]

Where do you live? I'm in the US and use US sources; sounds like you are in England. I'll provide a link to the wonderful list of international sources.

But there are really four possibilities. In increasing order of cost: Black market (cracked, torrented, whatever) which are illegal and likely pre-loaded with malware.

Grey market, like an OEM disk provided to or by a manufacturer of PCs that may or may not work with your hardware. Sometimes it's hard to tell grey from white on eBay. There are perfectly good unused licenses there, but I wouldn't go for anything other than Full Retail in original shrink wrap.

White market, here in the US old stock at Staples, Microcenter, or the ever-reliable Newegg.com, but now we're getting up the price ladder to over $100 US.

At this level what are labeled "OEM" versions from Microsoft are likely legit - meant for manufacturers, but allowed for home builders. The OEM license can only be used on one system; if you build a new one an OEM license can't be transferred and a full retail can. BTW, Windows 8 licensing is simpler.

Gold market: Buy it from Microsoft. For all I know, they have discontinued sales of W7.


Here's the list; UK is fairly far down. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1643019/guide-international-users-links-part-stores.html