Cheapest/Best way to get Windows 7 if buying a new PC?

Hey everyone, I am confused on what to do. I am going to be buying an NP8662, and I see three options:

1. Buy Windows Vista Home with the computer for $97, and qualify for a free upgrade later on when Windows 7 comes out. (I dont even know how that works)

2. Buy the $50 pre-order upgrade for Windows 7, and use my XP I have already. (If i am doing a completely fresh install on a computer with no OS, would I even be able to install Windows 7?)

3. Wait until Windows 7 comes out and just buy it retail.

What should I do? I want to be able to install the OS on a fresh PC with absolutely no OS on it already... Can the upgrade discs do that? So then what is the smartest thing to do?

 

Normally I would say #1, but since it will be an upgrade from your pc vendor, likely oem, it may force you to upgrade, not a clean install. But you can always format your drive, insert the win 7 upgrade disk and when prompted as to location of Vista, stick in the Vista disk and point it to that drive, that often works.

next option 2, lastly option 3- last resort as it will be more expensive.

But read the fine print on #1, if you have Home Premium, will you get Home Premium 7. It is said to be similar in features to Vista Ultimate, from what I understand.

 

You'll have to buy a full version of Windows 7 to install it if you get it with Windows XP. (any people more advanced with Windows, correct me if i'm wrong ) You're best choice is to make sure you get Windows Vista Home Premium or above with your new PC and take advantage of the upgrade program. Make sure you order when the company who makes your PC announces that they will participate.

 

Thanks for the replies... I am still confused though... I am not worried about having to upgrade or clean install.... I *want* to clean install, and I just want to do it as cheap as possible.

All I have right now is the OEM Windows XP that has come with my old PC... So you guys think that right now I should buy Vista and just get a free upgrade? Are upgrades able to do a FRESH install with absolutely no OS on it at all?

For instance, if I buy the 8662, no OS on it, and I put in the upgrade disc, will it install?

 

Of course, you can always get an MS TechNet account for about $300 fort 1 year. Then you are free to download all OS's.,allpications (like Office 2007) and get as many licenses for your personal use as you wish... In other worrds, I can get 5 retail copies/serials of XP, Vista, Win 7 etc, as long as I run and test them on my systems only . In the long run, it'd def the way to go when you start counting up the cost of licenses.

 

Actually, just checked. Here's microsofts official statement on upgrading from XP:

 

So is there any disadvantage to doing it this way? I have already reformatted and reinstalled and reused my XP key a few times on the same machine, could that pose any problem?

 

Your best and cheapest option is #1.

$97 dollars for vista + coupon(some places charge for it about 15)= ~120. You will still be able to do a clean install. You will just have to have Vista running before installing Win7.

Windows 7 full retail price (home premium) is 200 dollars. This is the most expensive choice.

 

Actually, you can use upgrade media to install Windows 7 onto a machine running Windows XP: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/buy/offers/pre-order-faq.aspx

 

Spend $100 more, get a Technet account ands get all the serial for any apps/oS's you could ever need for personal use. But don't share of course

 

It shouldn't pose a issue, if you prefer to use XP until 7 is officially released:

Here's what you'd do to install it on a machine previously running XP once you get windows 7 in a nutshell: http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_upgrade_02.asp

 

Sorry, you are correct. Just checked on other sites as well.

You CAN purchase Win7 Upgrade for XP as well!

 

Ok so I can pay $50 to just upgrade from XP to 7, thats awesome... And it doesn't matter that I have used the XP key a lot (albeit on the same machine)?

And also, what about in the future, if I want to reformat and just clean out my hard disk, do I need to reinstall XP and then 7 after, or can I just do a clean install of 7 straight out?


OH and another question! What if I want to dual boot XP 32 bit, and Windows 7 64 bit... Can I do this if the Windows 7 installation used the XP cd key?

 

XP key has a limited use. At some point, everytime you do another clean install again and have to put the key in, you have to call Microsoft to get a "confirmation number." Basically, a limited number of clean install without calling.

 

Correct, the Windows 7 Media isn't "intelligent" like that. Think about all the people who've reinstalled Windows XP over the years on the same PC, they'd throw a fit if Windows 7 refused to work because they installed XP too many times. lol.

You'll just install 7 straight out, You'll be doing that the first time anyway as you cannot do an "in-place" upgrade to 7 from XP. The link I gave you has all the steps you need to ensure your data's backed up before you install 7 as well as the steps you'll take after installation to get all that back.

The Windows 7 Installer will only use the Windows 7 key. To dual boot, always install and set up the older operating system first. Then install the new one.

 

Alright, I guess that I am just confused because when I do clean installs with XP, it asks for no CD key until its actually installed... But I guess with the upgrade disc, before it formats the drive and everything, it asks for your XP key?

 

The Windows 7 Disc will never ask for your Windows XP key