Windows XP Home Full Retail $99 @ Circuit City

[deldd]

Text

 

[yougotdeals]

I perfer Pro, but this isn't bad. Thanks.

 

[fbrdphreak]

good price for a retail store

 

[modedepe]

Yeah good price if you have to have retail, but oem version is $87 at newegg.

 

[Comp625]

But doesn't the OEM version from Newegg require you to buy a piece of hardware?

 

[modedepe]

Originally posted by: Comp625
But doesn't the OEM version from Newegg require you to buy a piece of hardware?

Yes. If you don't need any hardware buy a $1 fan or something, which will suffice.

 

[deldd]

Also, the major differences are the ability to upgrade a pc using the retail disc and the Microsoft "support".

 

[tterris]

is it harder to upgrade a pc with an oem os? i mean what kind of difficulties might one face if they have the oem version?

 

[candlebox1369]

To answer your question yes.

OEM = no upgrades, only new installation, whether you boot up from the cd or insert the cd in a previous OS (like 2000). For example, if you insert the OEM cd the option to upgrade will not be available and you will have to choose new installation. You will still have all your files (docs, music, etc) but you will have to reinstall your programs.

IMHO though, i'd always go for the oem version (cheaper). Just make sure your files are backup up (2nd partition, cd, another computer, etc), and boot off the cd to do a clean install. Clean installs always run much smoother and usually with no problem....

But an upgrade version would be ok if you want to spend a little more money to keep your applications functional and if you don't want to worry about backing up your files if they're on the same drive as the OS.

 

[tterris]

wtf? you mean with oem you can't download the microsoft recommended updates/grades??

 

[dchilder]

wtf? you mean with oem you can't download the microsoft recommended updates/grades??

No, he means that you can't upgrade from an earlier version of Windows to an OEM version of Windows.

 

[tterris]

oh, i almost drowned in my own sweat there for a minute. if thats the case i'm going to go ahead and buy the oem version at newegg for 87$ along with the nec3500 dvd rw drive for 67.