Windows 7 is coming on October 22. If you have been chomping at the bit so to speak to get your hands on the final version of the code, there are actually quite a few ways that you can get it. You probably know about some of them, but I figured I would put together a list of the ways I know about on the off chance that it might be helpful to you.
The various methods are presented in no particular order and for each one, I have ranked them by four criteria; cost, portability, support, and difficulty. Cost is pretty self-explanatory. Portability refers to whether or not you can move the license from one computer to another should you decide to replace your existing system – keep in mind though that a license can only be installed on one computer at a time. Support refers to what sort of support you will get if you run into a problem and who is responsible for providing it. Finally, difficulty concerns the level of complexity the average user is likely to face trying to install it.
So, without further ado – here are some of your choices…
Get it On Your New Computer
Buy a new computer (duh) – however, for the first month or so, it is likely that not all computers, particularly those in Retail Stores will be pre-loaded with Windows 7. You are eligible to receive a free upgrade from the version of Vista installed on a computer to Windows 7 if you purchased your computer after mid July of this year. There may however be a small handling charge to ship the discs to you and you will be responsible for installing it. If this concerns you, you may wish to wait until you can purchase a PC with Windows 7 pre-loaded.
Cost: Low -Microsoft sells it at a discount to the computer maker in exchange for the computer maker assuming all technical support responsibility, so it does not add a huge amount of cost to the computer price
Portability: None – The Windows 7 license lives and dies with the computer it comes with – you cannot move it to a new computer.
Support: – Provided by the computer maker – ie: don’t call Microsoft for help. Quality of support will depend on your computer vendor.
Difficulty: None to Moderate depending on whether Windows 7 is pre-installed or if you need to upgrade from the pre-installed version of Vista.
Purchase a Single Shrink Wrapped Copy at Retail
This is the most common way that current users of Windows XP or Vista can upgrade their existing computers to Windows 7. It is certainly not the cheapest, but you will get support directly from Microsoft. Two versions are offered; Full and Upgrade. For most people, the Upgrade version is definitely the cheaper way to go.
One other advantage of the full retail copy is that you will get both the 32 bit and 64 bit versions in the box, so it means you can start with the 32 bit version and later move to the 64 bit one once you put more than 4 GB of memory into your machine.
Windows 7 Ultimate $220
Cost: High -This is the most expensive way to purchase Windows – do yourself a favor though and get the upgrade edition
Portability: Full – You own the license and can move it from one computer to another as much as you like (though it can only be installed on one at a time)
Support: – Provided by Microsoft
Difficulty: Low to Moderate depending on whether you are upgrading in place or installing a clean OS. At least you have full support from MS
Purchase a Home Premium Family Pack
Taking a page from Apple’s family pack pricing for its OSx and iLife suite, Microsoft recently announced their plans to offer a 3 pack of Windows 7 Home Premium. The price will be $150 for three licenses, which is a savings of more than $200 off of purchasing three single copies. If you have more than one computer that you wish to upgrade and you can make due with the Home Premium version, this is definitely the way to go.
Even if you want to move to a higher version of Windows, the family pack might be a good start. Microsoft offers its anytime upgrade which allows you to move up to Professional for $90 or Ultimate for $140 apiece.
Cost: Relatively Low -This is a very inexpensive way to purchase Windows provided you need more than one copy
Portability: Full – You own the license and can move it from one computer to another as much as you like (though it can only be installed on one at a time)
Support: – Provided by Microsoft
Difficulty: Low to Moderate depending on whether you are upgrading in place or installing a clean OS. At least you have full support from MS
Purchase an OEM Copy
A couple of weeks ago, online vendor Newegg announced the OEM version prices for Windows 7. OEM versions of Windows are intended to be sold to computer builders. Big companies like Dell and HP buy OEM copies by the truckload, but Microsoft also makes OEM versions available to smaller system builders, so that guy who builds computers in his basement and sells them to small companies can bundle Windows at a reduced price.
One of the worst kept secrets of the computer industry is that there is really nothing to stop the average computer user from picking up an OEM copy. Microsoft used to require you to purchase at least one hardware component along with the OEM license, but I think that requirement has been dropped.
You will have to choose whether you want the 32 bit or the 64 bit version when you order as you don’t get both versions like you do with the full retail versions.
There are however three downsides to going this route. First of all, in exchange for the deep discount, you are on your own for support. Secondly, the copy is technically tied to the first computer on which it is installed,which means that if you later want to rebuild the computer with a new motherboard or move the license to an entirely new computer, you won’t be able to. Finally, as the OEM version is intended to be installed on a brand new computer, I’m not sure if you can use it to perform an in place upgrade on an existing system.
Windows 7 Ultimate $175
Cost: Low -This is one of the least expensive ways to procure a full copy of the OS for the average person
Portability: Low – Technically, the license is tied to the first motherboard you install it to and cannot be moved, though MS may be flexible, just don’t count on it
Support: None – OEM copies are intended to be sold to computer makers who in turn are responsible for providing support to the end users
Difficulty: Low assuming you are doing a clean install. The OEM version is intended to be a “bare metal” install rather than an upgrade
Take Advantage of the Student Pricing
If you are a college student and have a .EDU address, you can click on the link above to purchase a copy of either Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 7 Professional for less than $30. Technically, the validation is tied to the email suffix of .EDU alone, which means that people who have alumni accounts that end in .EDU might be able to take advantage. Digital River, the vendor administering the program, does reserve the right to require documentation that you are in fact a student. If you can’t provide it, you would be required to pay full retail price.
Cost: Low -This is the cheapest way to legally purchase Windows provided you meet the criteria
Portability: Full – You own the license and can move it from one computer to another as much as you like (though it can only be installed on one at a time)
Support: – Provided by Microsoft
Difficulty: Low to Moderate depending on whether you are upgrading in place or installing a clean OS. At least you have full support from MS
Purchase a Technet Subscription
Technet is Microsoft’s link to the Computer Professional. Besides its copious knowledge base, Microsoft offers a subscription program that lets anyone who wants to procure many of the Windows OS, Application Server, and Microsoft Office products. The license forbids production use of this software, but it is expected you will use it for testing. Using these licenses in your home environment may violate the letter of the law, but Microsoft is not likely to really care about this provided you don’t go using them in your business (although using them in a test lab in your business is fine) .
The Technet approach is not for everyone. Granted, you get access to a lot of expensive software for relatively little money, but all licenses acquired through the program automatically cancel if you don’t pay the $200 annual subscription renewal each year. Technet includes 10 Windows 7 licenses along with licenses for lots of other software.
An alternative to Technet is the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN). MSDN is geared more towards developers while Technet is aimed more at non-developers. MSDN has similar subscription models to Technet, but they are considerably more expensive, however the range of available software is also broader including much of Microsoft’s Application Development stuff.
Cost: High -This is an expensive way for one copy as you pay $300 for the first year and $200 each subsequent year, but you get 10 licenses of Windows 7
Portability: Moderate – You have 10 licenses to use, each of which is technically bound to the first computer it is installed on.
Support: – Provided by Microsoft
Difficulty: Low to Moderate depending on whether you are upgrading in place or installing a clean OS. At least you have full support from MS
Okay, so that’s my list of ways to get Windows 7. Did I miss anything? Know of some other way? Drop me a line or add a comment to this post and let all of us know.
