What does this mean? Also, XP Pro or wait for VISTA?

[DigitalCancer]

I was looking into buying a new copy of XP x64, place is fairly cheap @ $45. But at the bottom it says this...

Please Note: This is a fully functional original Microsoft CD with installation key code and CD. On the CD it states you must legally own a copy of their license to use this CD.

what does this mean?

Also, should i just buy mycopy of XP or wait for VISTA??

 

[Atheus]

It's ambiguous, but I don't think you're buying a licence with that copy. It's too cheap.

I won't be buying Vista myself - not until it's been out for a few months and is proven stable. Or stable enough.

 

[DigitalCancer]

Thats kinda what i was thinking as well. Vista, no stable right now and will prolly run about like XP did when it came out. Also DX10 isn't going to be that big of a boost for me right this moment, considering i have no DX10 card yet anyhow. ^_^

And, w/ teh XP Pro i was looking into, does that mean i can't use it if i don't have a license? I don't understand the whole 'license' issue. It has the serial # and all, and is unopened. But looks like an OEM issue.

 

[Trevelyan]

Probably is OEM, meaning it's not legal to sell it.

 

[DigitalCancer]

yea, thats what i was thinking. So i could actually get this and use it if i had a laptop w/ the COA on bottom, but no disc then. Gotcha. So overall, XP 64 worth it over 32bit?

 

[Trevelyan]

Originally posted by: DigitalCancer
yea, thats what i was thinking. So i could actually get this and use it if i had a laptop w/ the COA on bottom, but no disc then. Gotcha. So overall, XP 64 worth it over 32bit?

Well, legally speaking, you're not even allowed to use it at all. But yes, all OEM licenses should work with all OEM WindowsXP disks... but I don't know anything about the 64bit version.

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: DigitalCancer
And, w/ teh XP Pro i was looking into, does that mean i can't use it if i don't have a license? I don't understand the whole 'license' issue. It has the serial # and all, and is unopened. But looks like an OEM issue.

When you 'buy windows' you are buying a licence to use windows on one particular computer. You are not buying the CD, which is dirt cheap, or the data on it, which is owned by Microsoft and always will be.

Buying a CD without a licence is pointless, you just have to buy a licence seperately - you might as well go download the CD off piratebay.

 

[apinomus]

Stick with XP 32-bit unless you need 64-bit for a particular application--you won't see a performance increase running 32-bit apps (the vast majority desktop apps are) and XP is rock solid. I don't even see myself upgrading to Vista for at least 2 years after it's been out even though my PC could easily handle it.

 

[AgentJean]

$45 for XP x64 doesn't seem kosher.
I've seen copies as low as $65 but that was the Promotional version(what ever that means) and I would not risk $65 bucks.