So i want to buy Windows for my mac

[Wanny]

What is the cheapest/best way to install windows on my mac through bootcamp?

[thegoldenmackid]

Bootcamp is the cheapest since it is free. Remember you have to buy an actual Windows license though and Bootcamp does not allow you to run both OS's at the same time.

[Wanny]

well see what license should i buy thats what im saying

[thegoldenmackid]

well see what license should i buy thats what im saying

Depending on what you want. Let's say XP Home. You need to by a genuine XP Home license, not the upgrade one.

[Wanny]

Could i go to my local Best Buy and buy it?

[thegoldenmackid]

Could i go to my local Best Buy and buy it?

Yes. Just make sure you buy the right one, i.e. not the upgrade. Although the upgrade license will work, the CD for the upgrade will not.

[EX1127]

yes

[MacDawg]

Boot Camp is the way to go
Or you can use virtualization software:
Fusion (http://store.vmware.com/servlet/ControllerServlet?Action=DisplayPage&Env=BASE&Locale=en_US&SiteID=vmware&id=ProductDetailsPage&productID=82532200&urlcode=PaidSearch_Google_AMER-US_AMER-US_VDI_Fusion_Brand_Search_WWW_fusion&src=PaidSearch_Google_AMER-US_AMER-US_VDI_Fusion_Brand_Search_WWW_fusion&ossrc=PaidSearch_Google_AMER-US_AMER-US_VDI_Fusion_Brand_Search_WWW_fusion&CMP=KNC-google&HBX_OU=50&HBX_PK=WWW_fusion&gclid=COGg4c_Um5sCFRKIxwodbQJusw) or Parallels (http://www.parallels.com/landingpage/dskd10_5/?source=google_us&gclid=CODyhODUm5sCFRKIxwodbQJusw) or Virtual Box (free) (http://www.virtualbox.org/)

Regardless, you will need your own copy of Windows

XP Service Pack 2 or better
Vista
Windows 7 (RC) currently free till it is released

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

[Wanny]

So i would go to my local best buy and ask a employee for

XP Service Pack 2?

[MacDawg]

So i would go to my local best buy and ask a employee for

XP Service Pack 2?

He will probably be clueless ;)
Any retail XP you buy today should be SP 2 or higher
Read the labels

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

[Wanny]

Ha im sorry i just want to make sure i get it right. Will you link me to something thats not over 200$

[thegoldenmackid]

Ha im sorry i just want to make sure i get it right. Will you link me to something thats not over 200$

Windows 7 is Free.
Was this (http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Home-FULL-VERSION/dp/B00022PTRU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1247031804&sr=8-1) really that hard?

[MacDawg]

Ha im sorry i just want to make sure i get it right. Will you link me to something thats not over 200$

I'm sure you can find it cheaper somewhere else (http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Home-FULL-VERSION/dp/B00022PTRU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1247031791&sr=8-1)

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

[thegoldenmackid]

I'm sure you can find it cheaper somewhere else (http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Windows-Home-FULL-VERSION/dp/B00022PTRU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1247031791&sr=8-1)

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

hey you copied me...funny how that turned out.

[spacepower7]

Do you have any friends that are college/Uni students or teachers?

Depending on circumstances, you can get really good deals.

I got windows XP 32 bit and 64 bit for less than $7 2 separate licenses

I got window Vista Ultimate 32 bit (retail $400) for less than $13

Office 2007 Professional for abt $10

Office 2008 Mac for abt $12

Years ago, I got all MS products for free from another Uni under a particular Uni policy

[MacDawg]

Do you have any friends that are college/Uni students or teachers?

Depending on circumstances, you can get really good deals.

I got windows XP 32 bit and 64 bit for less than $7 2 separate licenses

I got window Vista Ultimate 32 bit (retail $400) for less than $13

Office 2007 Professional for abt $10

Office 2008 Mac for abt $12

Years ago, I got all MS products for free from another Uni under a particular Uni policy

But those are for actual stu...

I won't even waste my breath

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

[thegoldenmackid]

But those are for actual stu...

I won't even waste my breath

Woof, Woof - Dawg http://homepage.mac.com/k.j.vinson/pawprint.gif

If one was a student, I'd assume they could work Google or Amazon's search feature?

[SnowLeopard2008]

I would use Win7 and then install the XP Mode stuff.

[Vendo]

A computer dealer can sell an OEM version much more cheaply than retail, but legally only if with a computer or parts. I picked up the full version of XP Home for 12,000 yen (about $120) when I bought my MacBook Pro at the same time, and this seems to be the average. They also offered it for 13,000 yen if you bought it along with an internal floppy disk drive, which was the cheapest PC part that could be bundled to legally sell the OEM version, at least in Japan. It might be different in the US legally, but definitely check with a PC parts store in addition to Best Buy.

[4JNA]

A computer dealer can sell an OEM version much more cheaply than retail...

like NewEgg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116511) for example. and as always, you get no support from MS with the OEM version, not that it matters all that much. best of luck.

[dmbfan41]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116511

xp home edition for 90

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116515

xp pro edition for 140


but i would just get windows 7 for FREE right now

if you go with 7, download the 64bit version at the bottom (if your computer can do it of course), but just get the english 32 bit version if you don't even know or use 64 bit applications.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/dd353205.aspx?ITPID=mscomsc

[gugucom]

Usually the cheapest prices you find for used Windows versions. There are tons of the stuff on Ebay.

You have to be aware of the ways that Microsoft markets their systems. The vast majority is sold through OEMs already fitted to the computer it will run.

Then there is the full retail package which is sold at shops without hardware and entitles you to some support by Microsoft. It is very expensive and the support is mostly useless or hard to get.

The third marketing channel is System Builder Editions. The SBE is simillar to retail but comes without the support fee. It is sold at shops for people who want to build their PCs from components and need an OS. The SBEs come in an opaque injection molded DVD package and have a light grey cardboard sleeve. The data carriers are DVDs and they have the nice hologramms which you often do not find on OEM versions.

My advise would be for buying used SBEs which are available from the XP range and Vista range. XP 32 SP2 is best and in Vista I would recommend the Business Edition which supports all features Apple uses. Depending of the amount of RAM in your system I would go for 32 or 64 Bit Vista. Above 2 GB of RAM 64-Bit can be an accellerator.

I would only buy from vendors who have plenty positive buyer feedback and accept PayPal. If they cheat, you will get your money back. Also make sure that the vendor garantees you the SBE status of the OS he sells and that there is the correct product key label with the package. If it isn't covered in the desciption ask a question to get documentation.

SBE packages of Vista entitle you to use the prioduct key for one 32-Bit or 64-Bit installations at your choice. You can change it at a later time if you want . Microsoft support exchange media replacement online for SBE customers. It cost about 18$ to replace a 32-Bit with a 64-Bit disk. They do the same for retail customers on a different web site but not for OEM customers.