MSDN vs Technet

[Chewy_Solo]

I was wondering which one to get for say 15-20 copies of windows 7. I cannot really find how many copies you get of each. I heard from a friend that Technet is 10 copies of Win7 Ultimate, Business, and Home Premium. Would that be correct? If so, that would be perfect for what I need.

Also how does the system work? Do the keys last indefinitely or only as long as your subscription?

Thanks

[x88x]

What are the licenses intended to be used for? IIRC, the licenses from both Technet and MSDN cannot be used in production environments. If that's what you need them for, you might want to look into becoming a Microsoft Partner, though that opens up a whole crapload of requirements you have to fill every year.

[crenn]

For Technet, the keys are only meant to last only as long as your Technet subscription. But in most cases, they don't ban/delete the keys and you can still use them.

[x88x]

Yeah, that's the same as with MSDN.

[Chewy_Solo]

Well we need some way to get windows 7 for my computer class, so this is the only way I found. So that was the idea.

[x88x]

How will they be used and how long will they be needed? Is it needed for a specific part of the class (ie, will it be needed after the class concludes)? Is this something that will be an ongoing year-to-year need?

[Chewy_Solo]

Well part of the class is that you can build computers, so it would be needed for those.

[x88x]

Would the students be keeping the computers that they build, or would everything remain school property and on school grounds? I assume none of the cases to be used have license stickers on them?

For the intended use, assuming the students don't keep the computers, it sounds like you would definitely fall under MSDN and Technet guidelines (ie, education/development). You might want to look into getting the school into the MSDNAA program. I don't know if High Schools can sign up for the Developer or Designer MSDNAA programs though. They do have a program for High Schools, but it doesn't include Windows; only Expression, SQL Server, and Visual Studio. If you're set on using Windows in the class, I would recommend contacting a sales rep from Microsoft; they can give you a better idea of what programs you're eligible for and how many licenses you can get through each.

Personally, I would recommend using Linux. It's free, and distros like Ubuntu and Mint are increasingly easy to set up and use.

[Chewy_Solo]

No, its actually for taking home. That's where I was wondering, as I heard that that is unallowed. Thats my only idea for getting Windows 7 early though. As I only have a Win Vista HP Upgrade 32-bit, and I want 64-bit. Any other ideas? I know there is a program to get Win7 when it comes out with a purchase of vista. Its just the Vista HP costs 50 dollars more than the win7.

[x88x]

No, that would definitely be outside of the scope of any MSDN/Technet/etc licensing. For that, the students would have to each have an MSDN account, which is why I recommended looking into seeing if MS will let a High School (I'm assuming a High School, from the age in your profile) join either the Developer or Designer MSDN-AA programs; that way the students would have a legal license, at least for as long as they were students at that school.

When are the licenses needed? Windows 7 launch is on October 22nd, and going off the Vista timeline, if you wait a week or two after that, you should be able to find bulk OEM license packs on NewEgg and the like.

Alternatively, you can always run 7 for 30 days without a license key (180 if you trick the timer), so that might be an option. It would at least give them a working OS for a while. If you use the RTM, they might even be able to just put in a license later without reinstalling (not sure on that though).

/Reiterates shameless Linux plug

[Luke122]

Hmm.. you might qualify for VLK (but maybe not if each one goes to a different owner..)if you need 20 copies.. I'd talk to a MS sales rep, and see what they can do for you. If everyone is building their own computer already, and you need 20 copies, you might get a screaming good discount.

[NightrainSrt4]

If it's all about building computers and learning to install operating systems on the new computers, then I would go with 7 Beta, or even ubuntu or something. Unless the course description specifically said you guys covered the cost of the OS, and even at that, a windows OS, then that is what I would do.

All you need to do is teach them the skillset they'd need to build and set up a pc. Let them use beta or linux to learn, then it's on them to apply that skillset for when they purchase an OS themselves.

Assuming there wasn't an agreement for the school/class to provide a full working win7 RTM OS.

[x88x]

Unfortunately, you can't get new license keys for the Windows 7 RC anymore. That's why I suggested just running in unlicensed mode.

EDIT: Remember, it's launching on October 22nd, so them cutting license registrations shouldn't be unexpected.

[crenn]

If he wants a License key for Windows 7 RC, he can ask. That generator just gave out the same keys over and over again.

[x88x]

Another thing to consider with the beta/RC keys is that they will start shutting down every two hours on (iirc) April 31st, then completely disable the OS on (iirc) July 31st.

[Chewy_Solo]

Well, It is for a highschool class, and these computers are going to be used and taken home and such, so its not like any of the others would have any idea what linux is or how to use it. The main reason I want to do this is to minimize the costs, but I will be sure to try and contact an MS sales rep. I did get a key from MS for the RC today, if your right crenn its useless, but I can probably torrent a copy of the RC. The one problem with that is upgrade. I would preferably want to upgrade from that to the actual copy.

[Airbozo]

Most of this has been mentioned here, but I will summarize since I have a personal Technet account and an MSDN account for work.

The keys are tied to the person who owns either account. They never expire. You get 10 of each product key for pretty much every M$ product and they can be activated on different hardware ten times each. They do not get deactivated if you cancel your subscription.

If they detect that you are giving away keys to other people (they do monitor what IP addresses the pc is activated from but not what addy's they connect from later), they will cancel your account and blacklist you from ever having another one. They will also pursue legal options depending on the severity of the infraction. M$ is brutal with licensing. Especially with the developer accounts.

They keys and software are intended for development purposes, but if you use them for your home machines, they will not question it, in most cases. With MSDN account keys, they also allow production use to a certain extent, but frown upon it. If you use the software in production for an extended period of time, they expect you to purchase a retail license.

Your best bet is to contact a reseller and ask for a student discount. All of my sales guys are gone for the weekend otherwise I would get you pricing myself. Depending on the product, you can get some pretty good deals. Right now Windows 7 is not available for sale so that is out anyway. You can get windows vista that comes with a free win7 upgrade certificate.

Hope this helps.

[Chewy_Solo]

Well I contact CDW and MSDNAA and all either of them had for education was Win7 pro. Now I'm looking for Home premium Full so that won't exactly work.

Airbozo, do you know when there will be pricing on Win7 HP?

[x88x]

Why do you need Home Premium? If you can get Pro at a discounted rate, where's the problem? According the MS (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/compare), Pro includes everything that Home Premium does...plus a lot.

[Chewy_Solo]

I guess I should have mentioned how they only had upgrade licenses. Well at the moment I guess MS hasn't released pricing for the Full.

[x88x]

Ah, yeah...upgrades are annoying that way. When do you need the licenses by? I know with Vista, the OEM full licenses were about the same price as the retail upgrade licenses. Again judging from Vista, with the 7 launch being October 21st (I think it was the 21st..some time around there anyways), NewEgg should probably start getting OEM licenses around the first or second week in November. You might be able to pick up a bulk OEM pack for less than the upgrades.

[Chewy_Solo]

I was hoping to get them in october sometime. Win7 launch in the 22nd

[x88x]

Holy carp! Great divine fishes! I just checked to see if NewEgg had any Vista packs with 7 upgrades, and looky what I found:

Windows 7 3-pack OEM, with a release date of 10/20, for $310
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116755

I'm gonna guess that the OEM price will drop later on; NewEgg unfortunately has a habit of scalping a bit on brand new stuff that nobody else has.

Oh well, it's at least a little cheaper than the retail license.

[Chewy_Solo]

a lot cheaper. thats half the price! Ill definitely look into that. Thanks

[x88x]

? Win 7 Home Premium (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754) is only $99 (retail MSRP $120), so you're saving...actually, looking at that, you're not really saving anything :facepalm: (looking at it again, it looks like it's normally $110, but if you catch it while it's on sale..). Also, make sure you get the 64-bit version, assuming all the systems you'll be building are 64-bit capable.

It looks like the OEM savings increases a lot more when you go up to Pro @ $135 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116758) (retail MSRP $200).

[Chewy_Solo]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116716

In compare to retail its a huge deal.

Of course I will be getting 64-bit.

[x88x]

Wow, yeah...I didn't even realize that NewEgg sold Retail copies....holy crap that's expensive.. the MSRP prices I got off MS's website must be for upgrades.

[knowledgegranted]

Yeah, that's the same as with MSDN.


No it's not. My family has had one for 15 years.

[x88x]

No it's not. My family has had one for 15 years.

??You got, what, Windows 95? And you're still using it! WOW!

I would be willing to bet that Microsoft's MSDN license agreement has changed since then. I know in my personal experience (MSDN-AA), the server keys I got died after a year, but the desktop keys were still working last I checked. I don't know what the actual license says though.

[knowledgegranted]

??You got, what, Windows 95? And you're still using it!

Damn Right.