Vista - os upgrade choice

What is the difference between the Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 32-bit for system builders OEM for $179.99 and Microsoft Windows vista Ultimate SP1 - Retail for $287.99. I looking to upgrade to vista and I'm confused as to which one I need. Can some one please explain this to me in layman's terms.

Hi,

The difference is the license - the dvd's are the same.

System Builder license can only be installed on one machine - as many times as you like - but only ever on that one machine.

The Retail product is also a one machine license - but you can remove it from that machine and install it on a different one instead.

You also get free support from M$ with the Retail License.

Are you sure you want to upgrade to Ultimate now, with 7 due out , probably before Christmas?

Yes, because the upgraded PC to Vista Ultimate will go to the wife and I'll either get a new retail PC or build one for me with Windows 7. That's the plan anyway but plans change.

So which one would you recomend. Or which one is the better of the two. Thanks again.

neither is better mate they are both the same the only problem you'll have with the OEM is that if you upgrade any hardware in that machine you'll have to re activate your copy of vista and when you try it'll tell you its already activated (same if you have to reformat) you have to ring microsoft and "bend" the truth a little to get them to activate it for you

you wont have this problem with the retail version , you also get tech support