Spending more than a week trying to upgrade my computer from the dark ages of Windows XP to Windows 7 hasn’t been particularly fun for me. In the world of computers, I tend to stick to the advice of “If it’s working, leave it alone.”
Having skipped Windows Vista entirely wasn’t surprising to anyone who knows me well. But after talking with so many who have gone on to the latest operating system, most of them urging me on, I finally decided to make the jump.
Microsoft has a funny way of getting you coming or going when it comes to pricing their flagship software. That’s a nice way of saying that they are going to get their pound of flesh including my right arm, a few more vital body parts and maybe even my first born child.
First you have to decide which version of Windows you want: Home Basic, Home Premium, Pro, Ultimate, Infinity and Beyond. Whoops, sorry. That last version probably slipped in because of a recent visit from the grandkids.
Anyway, after comparing the differences, I decide to go pro. But that’s not all. I still have to decide which type of license to buy. I can get an upgrade license for $180 or the full version for $280. The upgrade license requires that you have a registered XP license already on the computer while the full version does not.
But there is still a third option. I can get an OEM license.
What’s an OEM license? That’s what Original Equipment Manufacturers pay to pre-load Windows on a computer that is bought complete. I can order an OEM license for only $120 but there’s a catch. If my motherboard should ever fail, I would not be able to reuse the license on a new motherboard.
The folks in Redmond figure that giving you permission to reuse your Windows 7 license whenever you feel the need to upgrade your other computer components should cost you double the upgrade license and triple the OEM license.
No wonder Bill Gates has a bizillion dollars in the bank.
Well, if I’m going to save money on an OEM license, I should at least order me some new OE to go with it, right? I’ve built plenty of computers over the past twenty years so building another should be easy. That is … after I decide what new type of hardware to get.
I guess I’m just a glutton for punishment.
