"Robert Myers" wrote in message
...
On Apr 9, 7:51 pm, willbill wrote:
Windows 7 oem vs retail

Can the less expensive oem version be
installed by a DIY person like me?

I'm interested in the 64 bit Pro version of Win 7
due to it's lower cost; recently $140 from Newegg

Is a separately purchased key or something else
like that needed?

I mean in addition to the Win 7 disc itself.

In theory, at least, an OEM version can be installed on only one
machine--ever. The retail version can be installed on only one
machine--at a time.

That's the only difference.

Robert.
~~~
I bought a 32 bit Pro version of Win 7 from EBay. Only spent $56. Have
no problem at all.

If it is a fresh installation (not upgrade from Windows Vista, and it is
one time thing (you won't install on another machine using this copy),
you should buy OEM. And you should buy from EBay because you are buying
from end users who have copies they don't want, instead of retail stores
like Newegg which will charge you full OEM price.

Note that some OEM like Dell and Acer put only one copy on the disk (32
bits or 64 bits) and the other OEM like Toshiba and Sony put both copy
(32bits and 64bits) on one disk.