The cheapest way to buy Windows XP SP2: $87

jacinto45 · Apr 5, 2006, 09:24 PM

Newegg.com has Windows XP Home for $87 and XP Pro for $140. Just go to the site and search for "windows xp oem."

Importantly, these are OEM versions. They're completely legal, full versions, but I don't a huge amount about this stuff and don't know for absolutely certain that they would work with Boot Camp. Can anyone confirm that they would?

It's my understanding that the only difference between these and the expensive retail version is the fancy packaging and the fact that the OEM version is for people building their own computers that don't have Windows. (Or, presumably, people with Macs that want Windows.)

suntzu · Apr 5, 2006, 09:26 PM

They should work. But from what I remember from the old days, you had be buy some kind of qualifying hardware to buy OEM Windows. Like a hard drive, motherboard, etc...

Things have probably changed though.

Takumi · Apr 5, 2006, 09:46 PM

can't imagine why it wouldn't work

Takumi

lorkp · Apr 5, 2006, 09:52 PM

This is the cheapest I've found: http://www.pricegrabber.com/user_sal...&lot_id=539465 It appears to be legit, the sellers got good feed back. however you'll have to slipstream it with SP2 first.

imac9556 · Apr 5, 2006, 09:54 PM

Being a PC builder, the OEM versions should have no major difference between the retail versions, except being cheaper. However, you might need to buy a "pc" component with the OEM copy of windows. Most of the time, Newegg.com adds a free piece of hardware with it (power cord, etc)

With the OEM verison, you get a Windows XP License sticker that you can stick on the bottom of your MacBook Pro

jk

Takumi · Apr 5, 2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imac9556

With the OEM verison, you get a Windows XP License sticker that you can stick on the bottom of your MacBook Pro

Or throw in the bin,

probab;y shouldn't do that incase you need to use the product code subsequent times.

Takumi

Oblivious · Apr 5, 2006, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Takumi

probab;y shouldn't do that incase you need to use the product code subsequent times.

Takumi

But that's.... illegal.

fenixx · Apr 5, 2006, 11:22 PM

remember... students check with your school for discounts...
tomorrow before class i'll be picking up my XP Pro CD for a whopping $10

superbovine · Apr 6, 2006, 12:01 AM

http://www.viosoftware.com

Windows XP pro with sp2 oem branded $131.00 as of today.

Apr 5, 2006, 09:24 PM	#1
jacinto45 macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2002	The cheapest way to buy Windows XP SP2: $87 Newegg.com has Windows XP Home for $87 and XP Pro for $140. Just go to the site and search for "windows xp oem." Importantly, these are OEM versions. They're completely legal, full versions, but I don't a huge amount about this stuff and don't know for absolutely certain that they would work with Boot Camp. Can anyone confirm that they would? It's my understanding that the only difference between these and the expensive retail version is the fancy packaging and the fact that the OEM version is for people building their own computers that don't have Windows. (Or, presumably, people with Macs that want Windows.) __________________ 20" iMac 2.0 GHz Intel Core Duo \| 1.5 GB RAM \| 250 GB HD
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Apr 5, 2006, 09:26 PM	#2
suntzu macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2003	They should work. But from what I remember from the old days, you had be buy some kind of qualifying hardware to buy OEM Windows. Like a hard drive, motherboard, etc... Things have probably changed though.
	0

Apr 5, 2006, 09:52 PM	#4
lorkp macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2005	This is the cheapest I've found: http://www.pricegrabber.com/user_sal...&lot_id=539465 It appears to be legit, the sellers got good feed back. however you'll have to slipstream it with SP2 first.
	0

Apr 5, 2006, 09:54 PM	#5
imac9556 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2004	Being a PC builder, the OEM versions should have no major difference between the retail versions, except being cheaper. However, you might need to buy a "pc" component with the OEM copy of windows. Most of the time, Newegg.com adds a free piece of hardware with it (power cord, etc) With the OEM verison, you get a Windows XP License sticker that you can stick on the bottom of your MacBook Pro jk
	0

Apr 5, 2006, 11:22 PM	#8
fenixx macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2006	remember... students check with your school for discounts... tomorrow before class i'll be picking up my XP Pro CD for a whopping $10
	0

Apr 6, 2006, 12:01 AM	#9
superbovine macrumors 68030 Join Date: Nov 2003	http://www.viosoftware.com Windows XP pro with sp2 oem branded $131.00 as of today.
	0


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