In the UK: where should I get Windows from?

[Zygon Gambit]

I would quite like to get Windows to run on my 2.4Ghz iMac, but to be honest I know very little about how to get hold of it. I'm in the UK.

I only want to run a couple of windows apps on it; nothing major. But I've been out of the loop regarding Windows for many years now, and don't know very much about it. Looking at online retailer (Amazon.co.uk) it seems a home edition costs £135 for Vista, or £150 for XP. I assumed that the old software (XP) would be cheaper, but it doesn't seem like it is.

There are also lots of Ebay sellers offering 'genuine' versions of XP that say they are 'from Germany' at around £35. But I don't really trust them.

So: am I missing the best way to get Windows? I'm not really a pirate-software kind of person, and am happy to pay something for it, but I thought it would be a little cheaper than it seems to be. I don't like the idea of shelling out £140 or so to Windows, but it seems there's little alternative.

So, are the ebay versions just a scam? Am I missing out on a cheaper shop elsewhere? Where should I get my Windows from?

 

[OllyW]

Try here.

XP and Vista both start at around £70. Just remember this is OEM software, it is legal but is supplied without any product support.

 

[ID_Field_Blank]

I got my copy of Vista Home Premium for my Macbook from Amazon as an OEM version. Works flawlessly, updates and everything. Think I paid around £70-75 for it.

 

[nick9191]

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/114048

 

[Zygon Gambit]

Try here.

XP and Vista both start at around £70. Just remember this is OEM software, it is legal but it supplied without any product support.

OEM means I just get the disk, does it, and nothing else? Is the same legally as buying a full version in a shop?

 

[Zygon Gambit]

Thanks for all the speedy replies!

 

[OllyW]

OEM means I just get the disk, does it, and nothing else? Is the same legally as buying a full version in a shop?

You get the disk and a license number for the software. It is the software Microsoft supply to system builders, who are responsible for supporting the operating system on the PCs they sell.

It is exactly the same software you get buying from PC World or Amazon, just that you are on your own when it comes to support.

 

[Infrared]

OEM means I just get the disk, does it, and nothing else? Is the same legally as buying a full version in a shop?

You can only activate it on one machine. What I mean by
that is you can't uninstall it and throw it on a new machine
as you can with the full retail version.

So, if you upgrade your Mac and want to put Windows on it,
you'll have to buy another Windows license.

 

[Zygon Gambit]

One machine is fine: I'm not getting rid of my iMac for many years!

 

[Infrared]

Try here.

XP and Vista both start at around £70. Just remember this is OEM software, it is legal but is supplied without any product support.

I'm not totally sure the retail version of XP on Amazon is legal

Weren't retailers supposed to stop selling it in June?

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1312
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/default.mspx

 

[weckart]

Depending upon what apps you need to run, you might want to take a look at Crossover Mac from Codeweavers.

 

[Zygon Gambit]

I was just going to go for XP - unless anyone thinks that Vista makes that much difference.

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

I'm not totally sure the retail version of XP on Amazon is legal

Weren't retailers supposed to stop selling it in June?

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1312
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle/default.mspx

MS stopped shipping XP in June. Retailers will keep selling until their stock quantity turns to 0. Either way, it's not illegal. It's not a pirated version. It still has a legit serial, etc.

To OP: I'd go with Vista since the pricing isn't too far off and Vista is much newer, so you get better support?

 

[Infrared]

MS stopped shipping XP in June. Retailers will keep selling until their stock quantity turns to 0. Either way, it's not illegal. It's not a pirated version. It still has a legit serial, etc.

Ah, I see. Thanks for the answer.