Whats the diffrence between these versions of XP Pro

So I just got my new laptop and I want to install XP Pro on it so I can run Avid media composer (I am choosing XP over vista because media composer works better on xp) But since I have never had to buy the OS seperetly I am not sure which version to buy or even if there is a diffrence. Well here are the ones I am looking at

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16837116195

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116515

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2571830&sku=M17-7503

thanks for your help

 

one's retail sp2,
the other oem sp3,
the other oem sp2

I personally always go for the oems. You get half the price, minus all the fancy (and unnecessary) retail packaging.
I'd advise you to go with the one in the second link, for a more updated xp. I guess you have vista installed right now?
You may be abe to downgrade for free, and I quote:

So, what downgrades does Microsoft allow?
Owners of the OEM editions of Vista Business and Vista Ultimate can downgrade to Windows XP Professional, including Tablet PC Edition and x64 Edition. Only the OEM editions qualify for a downgrade, so if you purchased a new PC with either Business or Ultimate preinstalled, you're in like Flynn.

Those who aren't: All users of Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium, and anyone who upgraded to Vista using a retail edition of any of the operating system's SKUs. You are, as they say, SOL.

How do I downgrade? Install a copy of Windows XP Professional with the product key that came with the copy, and then when you hit the activation screen -- which is near the end of the installation process -- select the activate by phone option rather than the online method. You'll likely end up talking with a live rep; tell him that you're downgrading from Vista to XP, and give him the Vista product key. The rep is supposed to walk you through the rest.

Where do I get the XP install disc?
Until this summer, Microsoft put the responsibility on the end users' shoulders. For example, in this Vista downgrade rights document (download PDF) targeting resellers, the company said "media is provided by the customer."

A few months ago, however, Microsoft relaxed, and began allowing resellers to provide Windows XP setup CDs to customers buying Vista Business- and Ultimate-equipped PCs. In some cases, discs are shipped with the PCs; in others, users must request them. Don't bother calling Microsoft; it won't provide installation media, and will instead direct you to your reseller.

 

sounds good but what does OEM mean?

 

I'd always get the latest integrated SP one. You don't want to apply SP3 later unless you have no other choices.

 

oem just means original equipment manufacturer, and is intended for system builders. It is to be honest exactly the same as the same as the retail version

 

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer

This version is basically the same as the version you get when you buy a new PC. The OS itself has no difference at all compared to retail. Normally you can only buy the OEM version when you purchase a new PC, I'm not sure what changes have made that stores can now sell the OEM version alone.

 

For the record, OEM version is supposed to be:

1. No M$ tech support;
2. No paper manual;
3. No retail box, cd only;
4. Will not upgrade from a previous Windows install.

However, many people have no problem getting support from M$ even with OEM version.

 

no upgrade? oh so you mean when you install it will delete everything on your HD right?

 

yes thats what he meant

 

The OEM version is "locked" to the machine it's first installed on (according to the license), while with the retail version, you're allowed to uninstall it from one machine and install it on another.

 

ok cool thanks for all the help guys I will defently go with SP3 OEM version then

 

That may be the official word, however not in my experience. I installed vista oem, on one pc, but was alowed to install it on another, although this did require a call to m$

 

that won't matter I have no intetnion on putting it on another computer but thanks though.

 

What I meant by no upgrade is from previous version of Windows, for example, from Windows 2000. You don't want to choose the upgrade path unless you have no other choices. Some people choose to upgrade because they don't want to reinstall so many programs. But upgrade is never reliable, and there is no guarantee that all the previously installed programs will work after the OS upgrade.

In your case, I'd go with the OEM XP SP3 disc.

As for the license, you can still change machine, but it's just more trouble, you will have to call M$ and explain that you changed machine and would like to activate the license on this machine instead. But if you don't plan on switching machine too often, then the OEM disc will save you half the price, which you can pretty much buy another OEM disc to have 2 licenses.