Lenovo ThinkPad X220 Review Discussion

[Rockrz]

And... the digital river download... is that the RETAIL version of Windows, or is it the OE version of Windows?

I can't seem to find where it says what the download is

[ZaZ]

I don't think it matters. If you have a key it'll work.

[ALLurGroceries]

It's not like XP; since vista, any edition of a windows installer (not recovery) DVD will work as long as the edition is correct.

[Rockrz]

I don't think it matters. If you have a key it'll work.

The keys are totally different between an OE version of Windows and a Retail version of Windows.

Anybody know if that download is for Retail, or OE?

I'm hearing from people that work professionally as MS software support people that is does make a difference in that if I have an OE key that came with my laptop, I cannot activate a retail version of Windows even if I call MS...all I'd be able to do is reactivate an OE version like you'd have to do if you had to re-install your original Windows.

It is a violation of the terms of service and is illegal to try an activate a retail version of Windows using an OE key, and vice versa... so I'm being told.

Also, I cannot seem to find anyplace that has the 500gig hard drive in stock
(HGST Travelstar 2.5-Inch 500GB 7200RPM SATA III 32MB Cache SATA 6Gbps - HTS725050A7E630)

I have one on backorder from Amazon, but who knows when that's going to be fulfilled.

Anybody know of an online retailer that has this in stock?

[ALLurGroceries]

That is completely incorrect.

[Rockrz]

Well, I'm thinking those Windows downloads are probably retail and no OE. If you cannot use an OE key to activate a retail version (they did show me images of the COA and they do appear to be different), I guess I'm going to find out.

Worse case scenario, I can always just buy the retail version if need be. It's fo bidness use, so I'll write it off my taxes

Personally I have no moral problem activating the downloaded file since the original copy of Windows would not be in use anymore.

So, I downloaded the .iso file... do I just put that on a USB memory stick and go to that drive and double click on something to start the installation?

OR, do I have to do something to the .iso file?