Will this setup work?

[Timberline]

After a lot of digging through old threads (25+), going back and forth between XP and Vista, Parallels and Fusion, I have finally arrived at a decision. Before I bite the bullet and order everything, I wanted to run it by you guys to make sure I'm not making any mistakes.



About me:
----------------------------------------------------
My system:
Mac Pro - 5GB RAM, 250GB Harddrive, Leopard OS

What I do:
Graphic design, film editing, and college work

Why I want Windows:
I would like to install Windows in order to use Microsoft Money and have the ability to purchase software without having to go to five different stores to find a Mac version.
----------------------------------------------------



What I plan on purchasing:
----------------------------------------------------
Windows XP Home - OEM
$89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116056

VMWare Fusion
$39.99 (after rebate)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...t_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
----------------------------------------------------



Now, here is my main concern: I am not a "system builder". Will I still be able to purchase Windows XP Home OEM? I do not currently have an XP or Vista install disk and therefore need to purchase the full software. At the same time, I am on a college budget and cannot afford to throw down $400 on Windows Vista Ultimate. I will only be installing Windows on one machine.

If I cannot purchase the OEM version, what is my best choice?

Also, I bought my mom Microsoft Office 2007 Home and Student edition for Christmas. Will I be able to install this on my Mac Pro through Fusion on Windows XP? It has only been installed once on my mom's laptop.

Thank you very much, and I appreciate any and all advice.

 

[JPT]

You will be able to get the OEM version.

And I am not sure about Office 07. It may be a one computer only kind of thing.

 

[Timberline]

Thank you for the quick reply. I just read this disclaimer on the NewEgg site:

Qualifying proof of purchase must be recent receipts showing the purchase of a mother board, hard drive, RAM and a CPU. The components can be on multiple receipts; not necessarily all on one receipt nor on the same receipt as the qualifying Windows XP/Office 2003 that you purchased.

Will I still be able to purchase the OEM version without any of these receipts?

 

[JPT]

Thank you for the quick reply. I just read this disclaimer on the NewEgg site:



Will I still be able to purchase the OEM version without any of these receipts?

Oh dang. I'm not sure now...

 

[DukeofAnkh]

Thank you for the quick reply. I just read this disclaimer on the NewEgg site:



Will I still be able to purchase the OEM version without any of these receipts?

Do you have a receipt for your Mac Pro? If not, there are probably other sellers that don't check as thoroughly. Unfortunately, I can't point you to one as I got my OEM copy of XP at the same time and place as my MBP (and also, in Australia).

 

[Timberline]

Yes, I do have the receipt for my Mac Pro.

I found this website as well which makes no mention of the disclaimer:
http://www.webcommunitysoftware.com...=N09-00984-OEM&Category_Code=OPERATINGSYSTEMS

They also have Windows Vista Business for $169.95 and Ultimate for $219.95. Would it be worth the extra money to have an OS that will out-last XP? I know this topic has been beaten to death, but most conclude that one should "buy XP now, and purchase Vista in another year."

Being on a college budget, I'm not too keen on spending $100 on XP now only to have to buy Vista a year from now.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Vista, with 5 gigs of RAM, isn't a bad OS. And as long as you don't game heavily and don't have to worry about FPS, I'd say they're about the same.

But then some swear by Vista, where as others swear by XP

 

[David G.]

Do not buy XP Home. XP Pro supports multiple processors where as Home doesn't. See link then go to the 2nd to last bullet under the Editions section.

 

[DukeofAnkh]

Yes, I do have the receipt for my Mac Pro.

I found this website as well which makes no mention of the disclaimer:
http://www.webcommunitysoftware.com...=N09-00984-OEM&Category_Code=OPERATINGSYSTEMS

They also have Windows Vista Business for $169.95 and Ultimate for $219.95. Would it be worth the extra money to have an OS that will out-last XP? I know this topic has been beaten to death, but most conclude that one should "buy XP now, and purchase Vista in another year."

Being on a college budget, I'm not too keen on spending $100 on XP now only to have to buy Vista a year from now.

I'm on a student budget too and I went with XP for a few reasons:

a) It talks to most of my peripherals.
b) It was cheaper.
c) Have you tried using Vista? XP is marginally less of a headache.

As for Vista outlasting XP, didn't they extended the support time-frame for XP some time last year? Unless you want games/programs that only run in Vista, I'd stick with XP.

 

[Timberline]

Thank you again for the replies. I'm certainly glad I checked in with you guys.

Here is Windows Vista Ultimate 64 Bit for $193.99:
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Win..._1_4?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1200637278&sr=1-4

And here is Windows Vista Ultimate 32 Bit for $185.49:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1VPV1YZS77HHFT736V70

And Windows Vista Business 64 Bit for $149.97:
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Win..._bxgy_sw_text_b?ie=UTF8&qid=1200637278&sr=1-5

And Windows Vista Business 32 Bit for $144.99:
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Win..._1_5?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1200637278&sr=1-5

I know the 32bit versus 64bit is an entirely different topic, but for what I will be using it for, which version will be better?

-------------

As for XP Professional, it looks like it will be $139.95:
http://www.webcommunitysoftware.com...t_Code=OSWXPP2&Category_Code=OperatingSystems

For roughly the same price, I'm tempted to go with Vista. My mom's laptop has it and I haven't found anything that I despise about it (yet). Ugh. Once again, I am on the fence.

 

[JPT]

32bit if you must get Vista.

If you go 64 you will have an extremely "fun" time trying to find drivers.

 

[Timberline]

Thank you--I hate searching for drivers and certainly appreciate the warning.

Based on research from previous posts, I have concluded that Parallels / Fusion will only work with Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate--is this correct?

 

[DukeofAnkh]

Thank you--I hate searching for drivers and certainly appreciate the warning.

Based on research from previous posts, I have concluded that Parallels / Fusion will only work with Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate--is this correct?

They both also work with XP.

 

[ecojoe]

Go to JourneyEd.com and buy a copy of VIsta Ultimate for $99 with an academic discount. That deal can't be beat!

 

[Timberline]

Go to JourneyEd.com and buy a copy of VIsta Ultimate for $99 with an academic discount. That deal can't be beat!

That deal does sound unbeatable. Unfortunately, I can't seem to find it on the website. The only Windows Vista Ultimate that I found was $399:

http://www.journeyed.com/itemDetail.asp?ItmNo=99531723

Am I missing something? Do I have to prove my student eligibility before I can view the discounted prices?

---------

*EDIT*
Just found it: http://www.journeyed.com/select/Default.asp

Unfortunately, the Unversity of Colorado isn't listed as one of the schools. Anyone know of any other websites that offer similar discounts?

---------

*EDIT*
My girlfriend's school is listed on there, but it only shows the Vista Upgrade. Since I do not currently have XP installed on my Mac, the upgrade will do me no good, correct? I do not have an XP install disc either.

 

[ecojoe]

Check this out,
http://windowssecrets.com/comp/070201#story1