In the UK: where should I get Windows from?

Discussion in 'Windows, Linux & Others on the Mac' started by Zygon Gambit, Dec 12, 2008.

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  1. Zygon Gambit, Dec 12, 2008

    Zygon Gambit macrumors regular

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    #1
    I would quite like to get Windows to run on my 2.4Ghz iMac, but to be honest I know very little about how to get hold of it. I'm in the UK.

    I only want to run a couple of windows apps on it; nothing major. But I've been out of the loop regarding Windows for many years now, and don't know very much about it. Looking at online retailer (Amazon.co.uk) it seems a home edition costs £135 for Vista, or £150 for XP. I assumed that the old software (XP) would be cheaper, but it doesn't seem like it is.

    There are also lots of Ebay sellers offering 'genuine' versions of XP that say they are 'from Germany' at around £35. But I don't really trust them.

    So: am I missing the best way to get Windows? I'm not really a pirate-software kind of person, and am happy to pay something for it, but I thought it would be a little cheaper than it seems to be. I don't like the idea of shelling out £140 or so to Windows, but it seems there's little alternative.

    So, are the ebay versions just a scam? Am I missing out on a cheaper shop elsewhere? Where should I get my Windows from?
     
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  2. OllyW, Dec 12, 2008

    OllyW Moderator

    OllyW

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    #2
    Try here.

    XP and Vista both start at around £70. Just remember this is OEM software, it is legal but is supplied without any product support.
     
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  3. CMelton, Dec 12, 2008

    CMelton macrumors regular

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    #3
    I got my copy of Vista Home Premium for my Macbook from Amazon as an OEM version. Works flawlessly, updates and everything. Think I paid around £70-75 for it.
     
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  4. nick9191, Dec 12, 2008

    nick9191 macrumors 68040

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    #4
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  5. Zygon Gambit, Dec 12, 2008

    Zygon Gambit thread starter macrumors regular

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    #5
    OEM means I just get the disk, does it, and nothing else? Is the same legally as buying a full version in a shop?
     
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  6. Zygon Gambit, Dec 12, 2008

    Zygon Gambit thread starter macrumors regular

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    #6
    Thanks for all the speedy replies!
     
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  7. OllyW, Dec 12, 2008

    OllyW Moderator

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    #7
    You get the disk and a license number for the software. It is the software Microsoft supply to system builders, who are responsible for supporting the operating system on the PCs they sell.

    It is exactly the same software you get buying from PC World or Amazon, just that you are on your own when it comes to support.
     
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  8. Infrared, Dec 12, 2008

    Infrared macrumors 68000

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    #8
    You can only activate it on one machine. What I mean by
    that is you can't uninstall it and throw it on a new machine
    as you can with the full retail version.

    So, if you upgrade your Mac and want to put Windows on it,
    you'll have to buy another Windows license.
     
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  9. Zygon Gambit, Dec 12, 2008

    Zygon Gambit thread starter macrumors regular

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    #9
    One machine is fine: I'm not getting rid of my iMac for many years!
     
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  10. Infrared, Dec 12, 2008

    Infrared macrumors 68000

    Infrared

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    #10
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  11. weckart, Dec 12, 2008

    weckart macrumors 601

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  12. Zygon Gambit, Dec 12, 2008

    Zygon Gambit thread starter macrumors regular

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    #12
    I was just going to go for XP - unless anyone thinks that Vista makes that much difference.
     
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  13. SnowLeopard2008, Dec 16, 2008

    SnowLeopard2008 macrumors 604

    SnowLeopard2008

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    #13
    MS stopped shipping XP in June. Retailers will keep selling until their stock quantity turns to 0. Either way, it's not illegal. It's not a pirated version. It still has a legit serial, etc.

    To OP: I'd go with Vista since the pricing isn't too far off and Vista is much newer, so you get better support?
     
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  14. Infrared, Dec 17, 2008

    Infrared macrumors 68000

    Infrared

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    #14
    Ah, I see. Thanks for the answer.
     
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