Cheapest legal way to install Windows 8 on Mac?

[iBreatheApple]

Hi all. I was quite familiar with windows up until the Vista era. After that I switched to Mac and haven't even thought about going back. Does anyone know the cheapest way (student discount, etc.) to obtain a copy of Windows 8? I don't have Windows on my Mac now (and I really don't want it but exporting to word and such always seems to have formatting errors so rather than just purchasing office I just want the full OS) and I have done some minor research and have found I will need a "builder" edition. I remember something about buying the upgrade version on Vista and installing it again to get a clean install and this bypassed the need to purchase the full version. I don't think technically that'd be illegal (more like cheating the system) but (morally) I could let myself go that route if there is any similar workaround for 8.

Anyway, I'm all over the place with this post but I would just like to know where to buy and what the cheapest and best route for my situation is. I don't want to torrent or anything like that. Besides, it's too much of a hassle. Thanks!

Subthread: Does creating a partition with Windows on it slow boot times or anything like that on the system? I have the original thunderbolt iMac, FWIW.
Oh and another random though (forgive my ADD today), I don't quite know all the details but this Office 365 is a freaking LOAD. Yearly subscription? That's whack.

[LWX]

Buy an OEM copy from Amazon. That's what I did, though I went with Windows 7 rather than 8.

[avflinsch]

Originally Posted by iBreatheApple

Does anyone know the cheapest way (student discount, etc.) to obtain a copy of Windows 8?

If you have a .edu email, you may be able to get a free copy via Microsoft Dreamspark

Other MS stuff available there - sort of like MS crack - first sample is free, then get them hooked as early as possible.

[phr0ze]

1. There are ways to get free edu addresses.
2. using EDU, OEM, Etc versions may make you feel better because you are paying for them but you are still violating the terms.
3. having said that, TechNet is a great value. You can not only have every version of windows, but you also get office, etc, even for mac.

[iBreatheApple]

Originally Posted by phr0ze

1. There are ways to get free edu addresses.
2. using EDU, OEM, Etc versions may make you feel better because you are paying for them but you are still violating the terms.
3. having said that, TechNet is a great value. You can not only have every version of windows, but you also get office, etc, even for mac.

I already have a .edu email address.

Originally Posted by avflinsch

If you have a .edu email, you may be able to get a free copy via Microsoft Dreamspark

Other MS stuff available there - sort of like MS crack - first sample is free, then get them hooked as early as possible.

Thanks for the link! Unfortunately, even after signing up, I don't see anything regarding Windows (except Windows 7 Embedded).

[phr0ze]

Student editions are $70. Technet is still the better deal if you can make use of the rest (office, Office for mac, windows 7, Windows XP, etc)

[iBreatheApple]

Originally Posted by phr0ze

Student editions are $70. Technet is still the better deal if you can make use of the rest (office, Office for mac, windows 7, Windows XP, etc)

That's the upgrade price. Since I'd be installing on a Mac, I need the system builder version.

[phr0ze]

Originally Posted by iBreatheApple

That's the upgrade price. Since I'd be installing on a Mac, I need the system builder version.

Again, look at technet.

[iBreatheApple]

Originally Posted by phr0ze

Again, look at technet.

I'm not familiar what technet is/offers. I took a quick look and see that you can download a 90-day trial version.

[phr0ze]

Originally Posted by iBreatheApple

I'm not familiar what technet is/offers. I took a quick look and see that you can download a 90-day trial version.

Technet is a method for testers, developers, engineers to gain access to Microsoft products to perform testing before rolling out a solution.

Technet standard essentially provides 2 valid license keys to every desktop software microsoft makes as well as some server software.

Included are 2 keys to:
Windows XP
Windows XP Pro
Windows Vista (2 keys for each flavor so essentially 8-10 keys)
Windows 7 (2 keys for each flavor so essentially 8-10 keys)
Windows 8 (2 keys for each flavor so essentially 8-10 keys)
MS Office 2003 (2 keys for each flavor so essentially 8-10 keys)
MS Office 2007 (2 keys for each flavor so essentially 8-10 keys)
MS Office 2010 (2 keys for each flavor so essentially 8-10 keys)
MS Office 2011 for Mac (2 keys for each flavor so essentially 8-10 keys)
MS SQL Server
MS Exchange
etc

Cost for all this is $199. To renew it is $149.