Vista - Upgrade Vs Full Version

I was asked a tech question that took my a little off guard by a co-worker. We were talking about the new Vista and the differences in buying an upgrade compared to the full version. Then this question came up:

What are the major differences (besides price) in buying an "Upgrade" Vs a "Full" version of Vista Ultimate?

I realized that the upgrade requires you to provide an original OS disk to verify the eligibility for the upgrade. But other than this, what are the differences?

Keep in mind we both ONLY do clean installs of the OS after completely wiping the hard drives.

Is an "Upgrade" a complete 1:1 copy of the "Full" version, just with different install requirements?

 

I see. Here's another question that has come up in my research recently:

I found a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate (Full Retain Version) for $399.99.

Then I found a copy of Windows Vista 64-Bit Ultimate for System Builders - OEM for $199.99 (almost $200 cheaper).

Are there any big differences? This is just for my personal system at home that I edit video on.

Would I be sacrificing anything by trying to save money?

 

I believe (Halo may correct me) that the OEM version is 64 bit only. While that may seem fine if you have the hardware for it, not everything is ready for 64 bit, including drivers and software.

Also, with OEM, you must legally buy hardware with it. Some, a lot of places I have seen, you pay more between the hardware options they give you and the OEM DVD than buying it retail.

 

Ya, retail has x86 included along with x64 in the box. You can get OEM now without hardware (my XPP came a keyboard and mouse included in the price ATT), check out NCIX.com, it's a reputable place, I buy from them all the time up here. The thing with OEM is that it is tied to your hardware IIRC and I don't know how tightly MS is going to regulate that, say if you have to replace your mobo etc.

 

oem doesn't tie to hardware any different then a regular copy fyi. OEM just means plain box.

 

OK, not as severe as I thought.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2087792,00.asp

 

yep i was trying to find a good article but you beat me to it.