Operating systems in our range are licences for business and IT use, sold under Lenovo and Microsoft, including OEM versions. The category suits IT managers, resellers and small businesses equipping servers, workstations and office PCs. With over 150 products, it covers everything from a handful of licences to very large volume purchases.
How to choose an operating system licence
Licence type. OEM licences are generally tied to the hardware they are first installed on, while other licence types may be transferred more freely. If you are buying a new server or PC and the software will stay on it for its whole life, an OEM version is usually the practical fit.
Licence quantity. Products in our range are grouped by volume: 1 to 99 licences, 100 to 499, 500 to 4,999 and 5,000 or more. Count every device or user that needs covering, then add a margin for planned growth, because buying a second batch later can mean a separate order.
Term length. Some products specify a duration of 1, 3 or 5 years. A longer term suits stable setups where you want fixed costs and fewer renewals, while a 1-year term gives more flexibility if your hardware or headcount is likely to change.
Version and edition. Match the edition to the job: a desktop operating system for workstations and a server edition for file sharing, virtualisation or business applications. Check which version your applications and drivers support before you order.
Hardware compatibility. Server licences are often counted by processor cores, and client access is often licensed separately by user or device. Check the core count of your server and the number of people connecting to it before you choose.
Brands we carry
- Lenovo: known for ThinkSystem servers and ThinkPad business laptops, so its licences are a natural match when you are buying software for Lenovo hardware.
- Microsoft: the developer of Windows and Windows Server, the most widely used operating systems in office and business environments.
- Microsoft (OEM): Microsoft software supplied under OEM terms, intended for installation on new hardware rather than for moving between machines.
Frequently asked questions about operating systems
What is the difference between an OEM and a standard operating system licence?
An OEM licence is generally tied to the first device it is installed on, while other licence types usually allow more flexibility. OEM versions are intended for new hardware and often cost less for that reason. Always read the licence terms on the product page before you buy.
How many operating system licences do I need?
You need one licence for each device, user or server processor core that the licensing model requires. Count current machines, add any you plan to deploy soon, and then choose the matching quantity band. Our range starts at 1 licence and extends to 5,000 or more.
What does a licence term of 1, 3 or 5 years mean?
It normally describes how long the licence or its coverage runs. Some products in our range list terms of 1, 3 or 5 years. Check the product description to see exactly what the term covers before ordering.
Can I move an OEM licence to another computer?
In most cases, no. OEM licences are normally bound to the hardware they were first installed on. If you expect to replace or rebuild machines often, choose a licence type that allows transfer and confirm this in the licence terms.
