UK prices - Why do we need a physical DVD?

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Chris

UK prices - Why do we need a physical DVD?

Surely the only thing I need to buy is a licence?

Why do I need a physical DVD?

Can I not get a copy of the DVD from a friend?
Or download it?

So why can't I just have a licence emailed from USA?
 
i was quite happy paying £129 in the UK for vista ultimate, oem so no fancy
dvd case but the full product. overclockers.co.uk - one possible issue is you
only get the 32 bit or 64 bit dvd, not an issue for me but could be for
others.
 
So what happens when your PC dies or your hard drive goes South? If you
don't have a DVD, where will the image live?
 
But I would have a DVD - just not one sent to me by post!
I would download the iso and burn the DVD - just as when getting a Linux
distro.
What I'm saying is that surely the only thing one needs to buy is the
licence key - and that can be sent by email.
 
But I would have a DVD - just not one sent to me by post!
I would download the iso and burn the DVD - just as when getting a Linux
distro.
What I'm saying is that surely the only thing one needs to buy is the
licence key - and that can be sent by email.
Click to expand...

Vista is not released in the from of an ISO. It is actually just an
image of an installation. The Vista Installer just copies it over to
your HD.

By the way, Microsoft claims that Vista will soon be available for
download commercially.


Donald L McDaniel
Please reply to the original thread and newsgroup
 
I don't think I have been understood - and I take full responsibility
for that!
Let me try again.

If you want to install XP - and you cannot find your CD - it doesn't
matter at all - because you can borrow a CD from anyone - or even get a
copy of the CD from anyone - because the only thing that matters is your
licence key - which is either stuck to your computer or written down
somewhere.

You are not buying the software; you are buying the right to use it ...
and that right is enshrined in the licence key ... and that is what you
buy.

It's the same with Vista. You buy a licence key to use the software.

Now then - here's the crux of my question.

When all your friends and neighbours have got Vista DVDs, you can just
borrow or copy one ... as long as you have your own legally purchased
key.

People have said there are different prices for Vista in different
countries - and have talked about sending DVDs through the post.

But this seems mad!
Why not borrow the DVD - and just get the key emailed from wherever you
decide to purchase Vista?

Does this make sense?
Or have I missed something?
 
I don't think I have been understood - and I take full responsibility
for that!
Let me try again.

If you want to install XP - and you cannot find your CD - it doesn't
matter at all - because you can borrow a CD from anyone - or even get a
copy of the CD from anyone - because the only thing that matters is your
licence key - which is either stuck to your computer or written down
somewhere.

You are not buying the software; you are buying the right to use it ...
and that right is enshrined in the licence key ... and that is what you
buy.

It's the same with Vista. You buy a licence key to use the software.

Now then - here's the crux of my question.

When all your friends and neighbours have got Vista DVDs, you can just
borrow or copy one ... as long as you have your own legally purchased
key.

People have said there are different prices for Vista in different
countries - and have talked about sending DVDs through the post.

But this seems mad!
Why not borrow the DVD - and just get the key emailed from wherever you
decide to purchase Vista?

Does this make sense?
Or have I missed something?
Click to expand...

It makes sense in a way. But consider the following:
As far as I know, the ONLY one who sells licenses without media (at
least legally) is Microsoft, and they only sell such licenses to those
who already have a boxed copy. And the secondary licenses are only a
few dollars less than a full boxed copy.

By the way, a valid license for Windows includes the media itself.


Donald L McDaniel
Please reply to the original thread and newsgroup
 
It makes sense in a way. But consider the following:
As far as I know, the ONLY one who sells licenses without media (at
least legally) is Microsoft, and they only sell such licenses to those
who already have a boxed copy. And the secondary licenses are only a
few dollars less than a full boxed copy.
By the way, a valid license for Windows includes the media itself.
Click to expand...

Understood. But here's the thing .... What if Vista actually *is*
cheaper in USA than in UK.
In that case couldn't someone in UK phone a friend in USA - and ask him
to buy Vista - and then get that friend to phone the key to the UK?
 
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