After A Cheap LEGAL Version Of XP

southernscouser

Can anyone tell me where I can get a brand new LEGAL version of XP as cheap as possible?

Also what is the difference between Home and Pro? I'm not too hot on computers so nothing to technical please!

Thanks very much.

Darksun

Pro adds extra features, and is designed to work better on networks. It's aimed at businesses more than home users, and is more expensive so you'd be better off with pro.

sra

Home Vs Pro:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx

southernscouser

Darksun wrote:

Pro adds extra features, and is designed to work better on networks. It's aimed at businesses more than home users, and is more expensive so you'd be better off with pro.

I'm only a home user so I assume that would be better and cheaper.

Can anyone tell me where to get a cheap version?

I'm wary of ebay as I just think they are all moody versions!

smcicr

do a search on here (or google) for OEM copies of xp - the threads that come up will explain about OEM software and it is cheaper - it's probably the cheapest way to get hold of a windows OS legally.

smcicr

if you are going to look on ebay make sure you get your magnifying glass out - i saw an ad the other day for a copy of xp pro for £6 (granted that's ridiculous and obviously properly dodgy) but in a very light grey using the smallest font possible the guy had written something like:

these are backup cd's only and are to be used with a paid key

so in other words, copies that don't come with a key i mailed him a question about them - hasn't got back to me yet....

ukbill69

Get a dell xp pro disk for about £30 on ebay. Easy and legal.

rogerramjet

ukbill69 wrote:

Get a dell xp pro disk for about £30 on ebay. Easy and legal.

Problem is Dell discs only work on Dell machines...or so I'm led to believe

Froggitt

Wooooaaahhhhh - you cannot legally install an OEM version of XP, whether from Ebay or wherever, unless it was bought from a PC manufacturer with the right to sell XP.

Northtim

Ebuyer sell XP home here:

Ebuyer

This is legit though I think you have to buy some hardware with it to comply with the oem rules. Usually the cheapest mouse they sell for about £1.99 though I see they have bundled it with an 84p power lead in one of the bundles on the right menu so maybe that will suffice.

Chippy_Minton

I would be wary of eBay too, not only because of dodgy copies etc, but because the price is often similar to what you'd have paid for the same goods new from an online shop. For example see Completed genuine XP home items. Cheapest online price I've seen is Ebuyer OEM XP Home Edition £58.81.

That page says:

Microsoft OEM Operating system software MUST be purchased with a non-peripheral hardware component or fully assembled computer system. Non-peripheral hardware consists of a motherboard, graphics card, memory module, hard disk, keyboard or mouse. Full retail boxed products must be ordered if no hardware/PC system is to accompany the sale.

So just buy a cheap mouse at the same time .

Edit: Northtim - great minds think alike!