Vista Ultimate Question

[manosteel00]

One more thing!

I am pretty sold on Vista Ultimate and was wondering what OS to purchase. Should I be purchasing the system builder version or the standard version?

Thanks!

 

[shadowduck]

System builder version. Next time don't make a new post, just edit the same thread.

 

[cjl]

The advantage of the standard version is that it has both 32bit and 64 bit in the same package, while System Builder is licensed for only one of them. That's its only real benefit though, so its up to you whether that is worth the extra $100.

 

[geofelt]

Shopping tips for Vista:
1) Do you qualify for an academic license?
If so, you can get Vista at a discounted price.
2) Look for an upgrade version of home premium instead of OEM(AKA system builder).
Upgrade is a retail version which gives you support from microsoft, unlike OEM,
and allows a more hassel-free ability to transfer the os to a different pc(motherboard).
For $10, microsoft will send you the 64 bit DVD.
I saw Vista home premium upgrade recently at Costco for $85, amazon for $89.
There is a legitimate two step instalation process to install an upgrade version
You install vista from the cd, but do not initially enter the product code.

Just tell the install which version you bought, and do not activate.
After it installs, you have a fully functional vista for 30 days.
Step 2 is to insert the cd again, while running vista and then do an upgrade.
This time, enter your product code, and activate.
After activation. you may delete the initial version which is named windows.old.

3) Do you really need Ultimate? There are very few features that the home user would want.
Check out the differences on the microsoft Vista web site.
If you get a retail or upgrade version, you will still be able to upgrade to ultimate later, with the OEM version, you can't.

 

[manosteel00]

Thanks for all the info, I really appreciate it.

The problem I run into is other than the current laptop I'm running, I don't have an OS that I can upgrade from. I would like the Microsoft support, though. I may be able to go through some friends for Academic pricing.

Is there anyway I can use the upgrade if I don't have a copy of an existing OS laying around. I just own preinstalled OEM versions and this is for a new machine.

 

[nukemaster]

geofelt, does Vista not offer the MS anytime upgrade option to go from home premium to ultimate for 159(too much in my book, but that works on OEM as far as i know.)?

Control Panel\System and Maintenance\Windows Anytime Upgrade

My OEM has that option.

 

[crazywheels]

don't buy the upgrade version, just buy the system builder version

 

[sciggy]

I just searched around on microsofts website and didn't see anything about an academic license for vista. Any links?

 

[Scotteq]

The academic licence would be obtained through your university.

 

[maximiza]

I got Vista ultimate 64 bit OEM and it works like butter on my obsolete system. As long as you got the Vista 64 drivers for everything your good to go.

 

[manosteel00]

Does anyone know if you can upgrade from the System Builder edition to a future OS, say Windows 7?

Thanks

 

[geofelt]

@nukemaster: I stand corrected. If your OEM version has that option, then I expect that you could use it.

Who really knows if you can upgrade to windows-7? In the past, upgrade prices have been available, even for oem versions. Upgrading has always been iffy from a compatibility point of view, so a new install is probably better.