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piltupso

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 29, 2006
123
0
I am looking to buy a copy of windows XP Pro to run on my new Mac Pro for those apps that I need windows for. I have been shopping around and am having a problem. XP from a a computer store is around $300 US, I have looked on ebay which I am not very familiar with and can find "New in Box" copies for $120 US. Some say OEM while others say new full version. These sellers on ebay have a long history and seem credible. Here's the question is the OEM a full version that will work? From what I can tell the only difference is the License is tied to the machine once used. Am I asking for trouble if I don't buy the $300 dollar box? Thanks, just laid down 2500 on a new Mac machine and don't want to spend any more on windows than I have to.
 
OEM versions will work fine. I would not buy from eBay though, you may end up with a pirated copy or a used copy that is still tied to another machine which will just create more inconveniences. Try newegg.com and see if you can find any cheap OEM copies. Also if you are a college student you may be able to get XP for $10 from your campus bookstore or something like that.
 
an oem copy that hasn't been used yet on a computer would be totally legit for ya. i don't know if i would trust eBay with that, though. have you looked at newegg? they charge $137 and you could rest assured that the s/n is yours and yours alone.. and that it's fully legal.
 
Thanks

Thanks All and thanks xfiftyfour for the link I went to newegg and bought it today I have been shopping areound and thats the best price I have seen from a reliable supplier.
 
KingYaba said:
Seriously?

Ya, I'm from UMD (Duluth,MN) and I got my copy for $5 and it came with VPC 7 for mac, plus I picked up office 2003 for another $5.
 
KingYaba said:
Seriously?
yepp. our school offers it too. it's usually a burned copy, though, that they have an educational license for. you're also "supposed" to uninstall it when you leave school.

at least that's how it is at my uni.


piltupso said:
Thanks All and thanks xfiftyfour for the link I went to newegg and bought it today I have been shopping areound and thats the best price I have seen from a reliable supplier.
no problem - glad that worked out for ya!
 
Newegg is the best place to go generally speaking. Though special education discounts are sometimes available through universities for students, as others have mentioned. Back when I was an undergrad they had XP for $25.
 
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