Didi I just waste money on 64bit

[beavereater]

I paid 26,000 yen (About 290 bucks) for Win 7 Home Premium from the MS store (Japan). I haven't received my copy yet but I'm almost wondering if I should send it back. I see plenty of ebay auctions at 100 USD or less. Is there something I'm missing here?

[dragonkeeper]

Windows 7 is a very good OS (well as good as we can expect form MS) but 26000 yen sounds expensive. If you buy from ebay make sure you are getting from a reputable seller I don't know about know but at one while there were some bogus copies out there. But in retrospect I have a friend who got Ultimate from ebay for $45 bucks and it was a legit copy.

[jagabo]

Did you get the retail version or a system builder version? The prices are different:

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-7-Home-Premium/dp/B002DHGMK0/
http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premium-64bit-System-Builder/dp/B004Q0PT3I/

The main difference is you're allowed to transfer the retail license from computer to computer. The system builder license can't be transferred from one computer to another. (There are ways around that, of course.) Oh, and the retail version includes both 32 bit and 64 bit versions of Windows.

[edDV]

Your computer details say you are using Win7 so are you asking if you should change from 32bit to 64bit?

There is only one reason to do so and that is to increase memory over 4GB. There are only a few workflows that benefit from >4GB RAM. I remain on 32bit here. I left the 64bit Win7 disk in the box.

[beavereater]

I got the system builder version from a small shop in Japan. Didn't know I would get both 32bit and 64bit otherwise...

I called MS and they said I would need different activation codes...although they were not direct about why. I asked if it was a 'legal' responsibility or something built into the software. They wouldn't come clean about it. My friend has a 64 bit version. Wonder if my key would work with his DVD.

Regardless, looking at Canada and US sites for Win 7 the prices are so different...I guess I'll have to play it by ear.

[usually_quiet]

I can't explain the difference in price in Japan except that nearly everything is far more expensive there than in the US.

$100 is the regular price for a Windows 7 Home OEM license from most online retailers in the US. Windows 7 Home Full/Retail licenses from these same retailers cost $190. The terms of the licenses are different. An OEM license is tied to the computer it was installed on when activated, and replacing the motherboard will require getting a new license unless it meets Microsoft's definition of a repair. A full license is a good deal for those who upgrade frequently because it can be transferred to a new motherboard with no restrictions.

[Edit]Late to the party again. I didn't know about the full license including both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions. I have the OEM license, which is one or the other. Live and learn.

[fritzi93]

Newegg has Home Premium SP1 64 bit OEM for $99.99.

Just got an e-blast notification. With the promo code EMCJJKJ42 it's $89.99.

http://promotions.newegg.com/neemail/nov-0-2011/BNsale01/index-landing.html?nm_mc=EMC-...E0-_-PromoWord