advice needed for new budget build from old XP system

[Insert_Nickname]

As far as I know, vendors like Newegg do sell OEM versions or 8.1; but 8.1 also has more expensive full-blown retail versions with the pretty boxes.

Based on the whole paragraph that sentence is in, what Microsoft got rid of was the separate "upgrade" license, which was supposed to be installed on a computer with a legit previous Windows install and not supposed to be used on a machine with no previous Windows OS or pirated Windows(obviously, workarounds to getting an upgrade license have been used). In other words, there will be no Windows 8.1 Upgrade boxes being sold like there was for 7 and 8. Just full retail and OEM versions.

For Windows 8, there was no full retail version at all, just an upgrade version and the OEM version. If you wanted a "full retail" license of Windows 8 for personal use, you bought the OEM version and agreed to the terms of the Personal Use license. That license is transferable to a new computer.

Thanks. Its hard to keep up with every change in licensing.

 

[mfenn]

http://www.zdnet.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-your-windows-8-1-upgrade-options-7000021554/

I would think that if he bought 8 and upgraded to 8.1, he should be okay. His Win8 license was legit and should remain in force after the upgrade

:thumbsdown: Way to be annoying Microsoft.

As far as I know, vendors like Newegg do sell OEM versions or 8.1; but 8.1 also has more expensive full-blown retail versions with the pretty boxes.

I think that this is true, but the price difference between the full retail and OEM versions is much smaller than it used to be, at least for the normal Windows 8.1. For example:

Microsoft Windows 8.1 - Full Version (32 & 64-bit) $110
Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 32-bit - OEM $100
Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM $100

Windows 8.1 Pro seems to keep a bigger gap, but still much smaller than it used to be:

Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - Full Version (32 & 64-bit) $200
Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - 32-bit - OEM $140
Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - 64-bit - OEM $140

Based on these numbers, I see no reason not to get the full version of 8.1 (non-Pro).

 

[tommyncal]

I'm just struggling between the choice of a full retail version of W8.1 ($110) and the OEM version of W7 ($100). And it's not the $10 difference. After being totally comfortable with XP, I'm not sure how long it will take to learn W8.1. Is it compatible with Firefox? I won't ever use those metro apps, etc

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Is it compatible with Firefox?

100%. My HTPC runs 8.1+Firefox without any issues so far.

 

[mfenn]

I'm just struggling between the choice of a full retail version of W8.1 ($110) and the OEM version of W7 ($100). And it's not the $10 difference. After being totally comfortable with XP, I'm not sure how long it will take to learn W8.1. Is it compatible with Firefox? I won't ever use those metro apps, etc

With stock 8.1, you can boot right into the Desktop and never have to launch a Metro app. The Start Menu is basically replaced by a full-screen Metro "Start Screen" that has the same functionality. If you launch a desktop app from that screen, it will go right back to the desktop, as will pressing the Start button again.

There are also addons like ClassicShell (free) and Start8 ($5) that restore a classic start menu to Windows 8.

 

[tommyncal]

I do feel more comfortable buying a full retail version than a OEM. I'll give W8 a try and make it look as close to XP I can, lol. I'm assuming it is compatible with 2007 Office Home & Student and 2007 Office Publisher.

 

[Torn Mind]

I do feel more comfortable buying a full retail version than a OEM. I'll give W8 a try and make it look as close to XP I can, lol. I'm assuming it is compatible with 2007 Office Home & Student and 2007 Office Publisher.

It's still Windows for x86 processors. Most apps will run fine; if you're not sure about some legacy app or software that has been "abandoned", you can check out the Compatibility Center to make sure. I installed Office 2010 on there no problem. Just make sure you aren't using really old 16-bit apps, since any 64-bit version of Windows(7, 8, or 8.1) don't have the emulation layer to run those apps anymore.

 

[tommyncal]

Thanks for that link. Looks like my 2007 office & publisher are compatible. Taking the plunge to W8.1 With this system:

CPU: G3220-($70)
MB: Asus H81M-A-($65)
RAM: G Skill DDR3 1600 (2 x 4Gb)-($67)
SSD: Samsung 840 EVO 120Gb-($100) plus bracket-($8)
OS: Windows 8.1 Retail-($110)
Monitor: either ASUS PA248Q-($298) or Dell U2412-($281)

Thanks to all for the help.