Windows Vista OEM - Advantage Customer
Be it a computer, or any product, a customer before
buying a product, looks for number of latest features
that the product contains. However, it is not possible
for single company to include features which are prepared
by other company. For example, suppose I am manufacturing
mobiles. Customers expect me to give latest features,
which are only possible through some product, say for
example, Windows Mobile, which is prepared by Microsoft.
What should I do?
What I do is, I will enter into agreement with Microsoft
and give Windows Mobile as a part of my product, the
mobile phone manufactured by me. How is it possible?
What is OEM? The controversial definition
The term OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer.
The term is relatively contradicting. According to one
section of people, OEM refers to a company which manufactures
the product, and releases it to other manufacturer,
who in turn, manufactures the main product and includes
the product purchased from OEM as a sub-product. According
to English dictionaries, OEM is a term that refers to
a company which purchases a product which is manufactured
by other company or by an individual, resells the product
as a part of larger product it sells.
Scratching your head? Got confused by the above contradicting
terms?
Yes, there is confusion, among people, over the word
OEM. The confusion is that, whether OEM term refers
to the company who originally manufactured the product.
Some people arguably agree that. But, some say, that,
it is term that refers to the company which purchases
the product, and includes the product as a part of their
main product.
Who are the customers for OEM?
Usually, the OEM product is sold in bulk by the manufacturers
of the sub product to the main product developers. Suppose,
if Intel builds a computer, it places order for DVD
drive at Sony, along with an agreement, that, the logo
and other things will remain as it is, in DVD drive.
Sony, of course, gives out the DVD-drives at reduced
prices. According to official second definition given
above, Intel will be become OEM. But, according to some
people, it is the Sony, who becomes OEMs for their DVD
Drives.
A word of line on past history on OEM
OEM has got a long history which takes us back to
1950’s. It was the IBM which first coined this
concept.
All about Windows OEM Licensing- Microsoft’s
oem vista license terms
Alright, now, let us turn our heads towards Windows
Vista. At last, the much eagerly awaited Microsoft Windows
Vista is out here. The operating system includes a bunch
of rich features within it. Windows Vista also includes
“OEM editions” along with other editions.
It is the cheapest version of windows, made available
to PC manufacturers and other Microsoft certified partners.
Plans to purchase it… Where can I purchase
it?
The Windows Vista OEM version comes without manuals,
doesn’t come in pretty good looking boxes. One
can buy the OEM version of Vista from the manufacturers
of branded PC’s, popularly assembled PC’s.
It will be easy for you to get the OEM version, if you
have purchased the computer from such manufacturers.
Some manufacturers provide OEM version of Windows Vista,
pre-installed on the computer when a new computer is
purchased. They may, of course, give the Windows Vista
OEM DVD to you.
Vista OEM cheap Prices
The prices for OEM version of any products are usually
lower than the retail prices of the same. There are
four editions of Vista on which the OEM version is available.
The prices for the OEM editions are,
- Vista Home Basic – Approx. $99 (Retail, Full
Version $199)
- Vista Home Premium – Approx. $119 (Retail,
Full Version $239)
- Vista Business – Approx. $149 (Retail, Full
Version $299)
- Vista Ultimate – Approx. $199 (Retail, Full
Version $399)
OEM versions are cheaper than the full retail copies,
and further cheaper than, the retail upgrades.
As a user, am I eligible for installing OEM version?
Yes, of course. Though Microsoft sources admit that,
any one can buy the OEM version, they recommend the
inexperienced users not to go for it, as it does not
contain any manuals, etc. It looks like Microsoft is
not against purchasing OEM version, but, says that people
who purchases OEM software should follow the rules,
that were set in the license agreements.
Retail and OEM edition softwares
As said above, the retail and OEM softwares don’t
come in pretty smart looking boxes and with manuals.
But, that does not make any difference with the disc
containing retail version. Both OEM and retail softwares
are one and the same, that is found on the disc. OEM
software cannot be returned once it is opened. So, it
is highly recommended that, one has to think and check
thoroughly before opening the product. The retail copy
comes with 90 days of free support. The OEM version
does not.
Vista OEM and the hardware
OEM software is tied down to the motherboard to which
it is installed on. The retail version of Windows can
be transferred to a new system. But, it is not possible
with the OEM version. Microsoft says that, replacing
the mother board, amounts to a new Personal Computer,
which is not permitted with an OEM version of Windows.
The OEM version is system specific.
A final word on OEM approach
When one considers technological approach, Microsoft
has become totally intelligent than ever before. It
is now left to you, to decide what should be done, whether
to buy or not. If you ask my opinion, then I would say
that, techy users should go for it, because, the price
of retail version is almost the same as the amount spent
to purchase a PC.
Tell us what do you think about Windows Vista?
Do you have a great story about this? Share it!
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