Cheapest method/source for WinXP on Bootcamp?

[coolbreeze]

So I plan on upgrading to Leopard, but in the meantime I want to put a full version of Windows on my MacBook.

I have looked around online and found the "system builder" versions of Windows XP (not really interested in Vista). The license says you can only install it on one machine...so does this mean if I install on my MacBook today with Bootcamp/Tiger, then do a reinstall after I put Leopard on my MacBook, I will get errors/etc from Windows?

Also, is Newegg/Amazon the cheapest alternative for a full, legal copy of Windows?

Thanks.

 

[italiano40]

Use newegg.com if you want an OEM version, which means you can install it as many times as you want

 

[sal]

I have looked around online and found the "system builder" versions of Windows XP (not really interested in Vista). The license says you can only install it on one machine...so does this mean if I install on my MacBook today with Bootcamp/Tiger, then do a reinstall after I put Leopard on my MacBook, I will get errors/etc from Windows?

This is true with almost all versions of windows, including the retail version of XP. One machine = one copy of windows.

when you upgrade to Leopard, you are not upgrading the machine, the hardware stays the same, the only thing that changes is the mac OS, which shouldn't impact the xp install in any way.

windows and mac exist on separate partitions anyways, so there shouldn't be an issue. but no sure way to know until it happens. But you should have no problem reinstalling windows(if need be) or validating it as long as you have a legal version of XP.

newegg is the best source. I buy a lot of stuff from them, very reliable. You are already saving close to 50% by going with a "builder's" copy of windows. You can probably find it cheaper on ebay but you have to be careful the copy is legit.

 

[VideoFreek]

To clarify things a bit: it is true that any version of Windows can legally be run on only one machine at a time. However, with a retail version of XP, it is possible to transfer it from one machine to another, as long as you stop using it on the old machine. This is not the case with the "OEM" (aka "System Builder") version: this version is licensed to be used on one and only one machine, period. It cannot be transferred. The other difference with OEM version is that you get no support from Microsoft; the license says that the system builder (i.e., you) are responsible for support. IMO this latter issue is no big deal; I've never called MS for support on Windows because there is a vast amount of help available online.

If you think that you'll be buying a new computer in the next few years, buying a full retail version would allow you to reuse your XP license on the new machine. Otherwise, I'd go with OEM.

Upgrading to Leopard should have no effect on your Windows partition; you shouldn't need to reinstall Windows.

 

[coolbreeze]

Thanks for the replies. I've narrowed it down to WinXP Professional ($139) and WinVista Ultimate ($169). I'm seriously considering spending the extra $30 for Vista...simply based on future-proofing myself.

Guess it now boils down to Vista vs. XP, which I am not going to debate. I do have a quick question though:

I have a MacBook (current gen) with 2GB of RAM. Will running Vista Ultimate be a waste of resources (i.e. slow, muddy, annoying)? Should I stick with XP Professional for a much faster performing machine?

Since I will never be able to transfer the OS to another piece of hardware, I want to make sure it runs great on this MacBook for many years to come.

 

[jmdeegan]

Personally I'd skip Vista. I have XP on every PC I own, and my brother in law just got a new Dell within the past few months, with Vista. It's nothing impressive, I think it runs slow compared to my XP installs on a similarly equipped PC (AMD Dual core 3800+) except he has 4 gig of ram and my xp mce installs run with less than that and faster.

also keep in mind that there are a lot of stories out there of people who installed vista only to rip it out days later. i think the biggest thing with vista is eye candy, and as many note, you can get that with OS X or in windows using 3rd party apps to make XP look like vista, or anything else you want.

I say save the 30 bucks and run XP. thats what I am getting ready to do.