is this the xp version I need?

[frankm007]

I'm still trying to find an economic version of XP to get... will this do?

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11007829&search=windows&Sp=S&Mo=19&cm_re=1-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&N=0&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=windows&Ntt=windows&No=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

 

[Anonymous Freak]

UNeconomic.

Two problems with it:

1. It's XP Professional. Unless you specifically know for a fact that you need the extra features in Professional, skip it. Go for Home Edition (the green box.)

2. It's an 'UPGRADE' version. This means that in order to install it (it does check,) you have to have an existing copy of Windows on your computer. This will *NOT* install into either Parallels or Boot Camp.

What you want is to buy Windows XP Home 'Full Retail' edition. (Also marketed as "For PCs without Windows, or PCs with Windows 95 or earlier versions.") This has a 'retail' price of about $199. Costo has it for $189.99, but you can find it from many online retailers more cheaply.

Also available are 'OEM' copies. With a 'full retail' copy, or even an 'upgrade' copy, Microsoft is selling you the full product, as well as the right to technical support direct from Microsoft. An 'OEM' copy is a copy that is meant to be sold along with a computer. This is what Dell, HP, Gateway, etc, all do. The OEM copy means that the computer manufacturer is responsible for giving you the disc, manual, and all technical support. With big companies, they actually do all of that. For smaller 'mom and pop' type shops, they buy a small shrinkwrapped 'manual+CD' combo from Microsoft that is meant to only be sold with new computers. But, some stores will sell one without a computer, or when buying ANY piece of computer hardware (one online seller includes an old horribly obsolete (and likely nonfunctional) processor, so that they can claim that they are following the letter of the license.) These can be found online as cheaply as $30, if you're willing to 'fudge' the intent of the license a little. (The OEM license specifically states that you must use the copy of Windows on the computer that the copy of Windows shipped with. If you buy it with just one component of a computer, you must use that component with the computer. So if you bought it with the horribly obsolete processor, there is no possible way you will be using that processor with the copy of Windows, making it a license violation. You *CAN* however, buy it with a mouse, and if you use that mouse with the computer, you would technically be following the license.)

 

[devman]

An Upgrade version of XP will install into Parallels because I just did it. XP upgrade install checks for a qualifying installed copy on the hard drive and if not found it then asks for the CD of the version you are upgrading from. i.e. eject the XP CD, load the upgrade_from CD, it checks it, then ejects it and you re-load the XP CD and continue the install.

Ignoring OEM copies, the cheapest option is XP Home Upgrade plus a copy of Win98 or 95 (full copy not a PC manufacturer-specific pre-load) from e-bay (for the upgrade check).

Oh, one other thing, they have $20 Vista upgrades on offer now for purchases of XP (i.e. when Vista ships). While XP Home is cheaper than XP Pro, if you intend to upgrade to Vista in the future then the EULA for Vista Home prohibits use under virtualization. Of course you could choose ignore the Vista Home EULA.

XP Pro will upgrade to Vista Business which is permitted to run under virtualization.

If you want to go XP Pro then go XP Pro Upgrade and snag a full copy of NT4 from e-bay (for the upgrade check).

 

[Xirtic88]

Can I use Windows XP Home sp1a or does it have to have SP2 to do the install?

 

[crazzyeddie]

From NewEgg with Vista upgrade coupon:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16832116171

Although Media Center won't install on your Mac now, the Vista version should.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

Wow, that's an amazing price on XP MCE... And MCE will install in Parallels, but not Boot Camp. Although, as mentioned, Vista should run in both just fine. And MCE will upgrade to Vista 'Home Premium', which isn't a half bad edition. (Although no licensed support for Virtualization.)

As for the person promoting buying an eBayed 95 or 98 plus an Upgrade of XP... That will work fine for Parallels, but will *NOT* work for Boot Camp. In Boot Camp, when it will ask you for the 'source' disc, you will have no way to eject the XP install CD if you have a slot-load computer. (i.e. everything but the Mac Pro.) And I'm not even sure the Mac Pro's drive has an eject button under that flap, as my eMac's drive has its eject button removed.