[Question] Which version of x64 Vista to buy from a stock OEM x32 Vista?

I am planning to get the N81vp - it comes with OEM Vista Home Premium I believe.

I read from the MS upgrade website that 32bits OS can only be upgraded to a similar 32bits - but I'd like to switch to x64 instead.
*it's great that Dell sent me those discs!*

So the question is -
which version of the x64 Ultimate should i buy and use, legally -
- OEM?
- retail upgrade?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Cheers!

 

If you have 32-bit Home Premium, you can upgrade to 64-bit Home Premium for free. When you purchase any version, you can use either 32 or 64-bit.

 

Thanks sgogeta4 -
do I get that upgrade by contacting Asus support, or should i raise it with the reseller?

Cheers~

 

i dont know if asus will give you 64bit but they might.

 

Asus support will only send out recovery discs for the same OS version that ships with a given notebook - they do not offer any upgrade options and will not send out different versions to users even if they offer that OS version on a different model as these are OEM licenses that are granted from MS. Resellers can sometimes upgrade the OS to a different version (i.e. Ultimate from HPrem) at their discretion - but they will often charge for it as the buyer is purchasing a new OS license. They are under no obligation to either do this or offer it.

If you want to upgrade to Ultimate 64, the choice of OEM v retail probably comes down to whether you feel the need for MS support (which does not come with the former). Asus cannot help you there since the OEM license you already would have is V32 HP.

 

Thank you ClearSkies, for the clarification on the support;
never needed any support from MS so that wouldn't be an issue for me.

I think OEM licenses can only be purchased in conjunction with a new PC; if the reseller doesn't sell one along with it (ie if I bought it from a cheaper online source which doesn't offer an OS switch), then would it be legal for me to buy the OEM license from another reseller and then install it on the Asus??

Going the retail route would almost certainly solve the licensing issues, but it's obviously more expensive, and i would like to save some $$$ if possible!

Thanks!

 

Check this link to see if your current CD key qualifies for a 64bit "upgrade". A small fee will be required.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

 

I went through this same situation. I wanted a N81VP with 64-bit Vista and I found some on J&R and buy.com. I ordered from J&R and received 32-bit Vista. J&R and buy.com are advertizing they are 64-bit but they’re 32-bit. I looked into upgrading the J&R computers and found out basically the same info that’s in this thread, that you have to purchase a full version of Vista to get the 64-bit. So I sent the computers back to J&R and I ordered them from XoticPC with 64-bit installed.

http://www.xoticpc.com/index.html

Here’s the J&R ad
http://www.jr.com/asus/pe/ASU_N81VPC1/#productTabDetails

Here’s the buy.com ad
http://www.buy.com/prod/asus-n81vp-...6ghz-processor-14-hd/q/loc/101/210733337.html

 

Thanks Dave, for your link!
I took a quick look; it's going to come in handy if I do buy it from a reseller that doesn't offer the 64bit option!

Thanks Hyperspace - will certainly evaluate this option if there isn't a Canadian retailer that will do the options!

Cheers!

 

I think if you have a 32 bit OEM key it will work with vista 64, but no one will provide you with a free disc.

I may be wrong, but I think if you can get a hold of a 64 bit disc your 32 bit key will work with it.