Windows XP: Which Version of XP do I buy?
Which Version of XP do I buy?
by Jim_Murray - 2/27/06 8:27 PMHi
I am intending to buy XP but am put off by the cost of the full retail version.
When checking on the prices I find that I can buy an OEM or educational version for half the price.
1. Which version do I buy?
I understand that there is no technical support from microsoft for the oem version, but in 7 years of using win 98 se I have never needed microsofts help. I have used these forums for help.
I think I qualify for the educational version as I attend a local community college class 3 hours a week, but what happens about the licence when the course finishes.
The Pro version is only about £3 more expensive so I was considering buying it rather than the home version.
2. Any reason why I should not buy the pro version?
3. Is there any problem registering these cheaper verions of XP or in downloading updates?
All the drivers for my hardware seem to be available for download so hopefully that will not be a problem.
Version
by Darton Fury - 2/27/06 9:37 PM In reply to: Which Version of XP do I buy? by Jim_MurrayI would suggest the OEM version of XP Pro. As you stated, there is no support but I think any questions you have or problems you may encounter would be answered here promptly. Your trepidation regarding the educational version is valid. Therefore I would avoid it. There are no problems registering or downloading updates with the OEM version.
ask university computing department
by linkit - 2/27/06 10:00 PM In reply to: Which Version of XP do I buy? by Jim_MurraySome universities require XP Pro for all or parts of thier networks.
OEM or ed
by Amos16 - 2/28/06 10:25 AM In reply to: Which Version of XP do I buy? by Jim_MurrayHi - just be warned that an OEM version is valid only for one machine, while you can transfer the full retail to another one if you discard the comp. If you change the motherboard, MS support may regard this as having a new comp, and you'll have a hard time convincing them that your previous mobo was trashed. This goes for both sides of the ocean; I am not clear on which side you dwell. The ed version is valid even if you are years after graduation, main thing is that you bought it while entitled to it. And there is little difference between it and the Full Retail. Hope this helps - Amos.
You can move the OEM as Well
by Merl Priester - 2/28/06 3:37 PM In reply to: OEM or ed by Amos16You "might" have to talk to a person, but I have moved OEM from one dead PC to the next, without a problem and usually never talked to a person, just the computer at M$.
I changed out the MoBo on a PC with XP Home...
by MartyLK - 3/1/06 5:04 AM In reply to: OEM or ed by Amos16OEM and didn't have to even make a call. I simply re-installed XP Home and it registered. The MoBo was even a different brand and differing features. Everything else, memory, CPU etc., were all the same, though, and I made sure to use the exact same computer name and other info that I inputted originally when I re-installed the OS.
Go for OEM. . .
by Coryphaeus - 2/28/06 4:56 PM In reply to: Which Version of XP do I buy? by Jim_MurrayI used it on my Web Server. After it was built I installed an OEM version of XP Home (for less than half the price of the full version). The only thing out of the ordinary was a strange folder was created on the hard drive. It said Dell. Wonder what machine it was supposed to go on (tongue in cheek).
Just a final suggestion
by Amos16 - 3/1/06 2:10 AM In reply to: Go for OEM. . . by CoryphaeusHello again - If you live in Scotland as it appears, try getting whatever you buy from Ireland directly where they are manufactured. This in spite of their using Euro. My organisation did that for me and saved about 15% on the deal. - Amos
XP Pro is the way to go...
by goldengreeke - 3/1/06 4:37 AM In reply to: Which Version of XP do I buy? by Jim_MurrayIf money is no object, I recommend XP Professional. It has much more features than the Home Edition. I hope you realize that by the end of the year they will both be obsolete when Microsoft releases it's new os, Microsoft Windows Vista. I would hold off until then if you can.
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