The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Good place to buy Windows XP Pro

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by spud8, Feb 20, 2006.

  1. spud8

    spud8 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    101
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Where is a good place to buy a geniune copy of Windows XP Pro
    for $150 or less?
     
    spud8, Feb 20, 2006
    #1
  2. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,659
    Messages:
    5,066
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    For 150? I'm not sure if you can find XP Pro for that price. You can try to get an upgrade version which is around 200 or OEM version of XP Pro which might fall into your price category.

    You could try ebay, but be careful because some of those won't be legit versions. I would probably go with an online vendor like buy.com or do a search on pricegrabber.com
     
    Amber, Feb 20, 2006
    #2
  3. Lil Mayz

    Lil Mayz Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    599
    Messages:
    1,463
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    what's an OEM version Amber?
     
    Lil Mayz, Feb 20, 2006
    #3
  4. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,659
    Messages:
    5,066
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    OEM means non-retail. Retail versions are generally what you'll see at Wal-Mart, CompUSA, etc.

    Generally, OEM is the CD that you get from your laptop manufacturer if you request an XP CD. The CDs from manufacturer's will only work with that brand of laptop (i.e. Dell XP CD, must be dell laptop). This is not the same case with the OEM version that you can buy in stores.

    OEM is generally found in local stores or online. You can't upgrade OEM versions from previous MS editions. You don't get all of the packaging either. It is just a CD with a little booklet that is sealed together with the key. You also don't get MS support with it.

    It is a legal version of XP and is issued by MS. It can be installed on most computers that meet the requirements, and I think it can be on installed multiple computers as long as it doesn't void the license.

    SG
     
    Amber, Feb 20, 2006
    #4
  5. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    4,982
    Messages:
    34,001
    Likes Received:
    1,415
    Trophy Points:
    581
    I'd look on eBay.
     
    ZaZ, Feb 20, 2006
    #5
  6. Lil Mayz

    Lil Mayz Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    599
    Messages:
    1,463
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Lil Mayz, Feb 20, 2006
    #6
  7. dedlewamp

    dedlewamp Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    17
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Any chance you're a student, or known a friend who's a student at a local university or college? My university has Microsoft XP Professional for $84.00, if you are a student. They also have Apple, Autodesk, Adobe, Symantec, and lots of other titles at least 50-75% off compared to retail. But, you have to be a student. Good luck!
     
    dedlewamp, Feb 20, 2006
    #7
  8. iOsiris

    iOsiris Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    40
    Messages:
    447
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Definitely I'm all about the university discounts :cool:
     
    iOsiris, Feb 20, 2006
    #8
  9. JiantBrane

    JiantBrane Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    108
    Messages:
    634
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Not that I would encourage illegal behavior (to be clear, I don't), but I do know multiple people who have saved themselves a few hundred by obtaining it through alternative means. ::Cough::: DONKEY :::Cough:::
     
    JiantBrane, Feb 20, 2006
    #9
  10. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,659
    Messages:
    5,066
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    yeah, but chances are that if you get an illegal version, the key will be invalid, and you'll be waisting your time ;)

    Student discount is another very good option. I forgot about that one.
     
    Amber, Feb 20, 2006
    #10
  11. JiantBrane

    JiantBrane Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    108
    Messages:
    634
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Right about the CD key; I guess they must have found key generators or people who listed theirs. I couldn't say; I'm a good boy, I am!
     
    JiantBrane, Feb 20, 2006
    #11
  12. warlord

    warlord Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    25
    Messages:
    272
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    what is this for? If it's for a re-installation on a computer that came with XP you can obtain a free copy from wherever and use the key on your computer to install it...as long as the versions are the same.

    Otherwise it's about $100 for XP student.
     
    warlord, Feb 21, 2006
    #12
  13. Pharoke

    Pharoke Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    223
    Messages:
    438
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The very thing I was gonna suggest. At my school you get XP pro for about 115.00.
     
    Pharoke, Feb 21, 2006
    #13
  14. JiantBrane

    JiantBrane Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    108
    Messages:
    634
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    :::Brays like a donkey::: What? What was that? Huh?
     
    JiantBrane, Feb 21, 2006
    #14