Or find a friend that works for Microsoft and get the Friends and Family discount from the Microsoft store ... last year I got Vista Ultimate (full version) for $45

Az, maybe you could give me the email address of that friend of yours. :o)

Microcenter had them for $10 less each in store last week (not sure if it's still going on).  The also have the Intel Boxed Core i7 Processor 920 for $199.99 in store as well which is going on this week.

i was looking at the home premium version, the 3 boxes that are checked off in Professional and not the premium concern me a bit...

It might not ammount to much of anything, but they sound usefull

This is one of those RARE times when working in a retail enviroment becomes useful. We have reps that come in and give us stuff free to try. Every time my MS rep comes in he always hands out free stuff, whether it's bundled games, or software. Man I wish we had a Sony Rep.......

My RC copy of Windows 7 is good for a year. I'm sure another deal will come along in that time.

Finally decided to just go with copies of Home Premium. After thinking about it.......I will probably never use the XP compatibility mode (and there are other ways to do that if I do decide I need it in the future). I don't need the domain stuff and I have 3rd party software for backup solutions.