HP "Branded" Windows Server 2008 software - $133 shipped from Buy.com

[Liberator21]

This very much intrigues me, seeing how it's 1/10 of the price of the non HP version:

Windows Server 2008

Now, we can all see the compatibility chart, but what do you guys think? The pic is just a retail case of Server 08, but I can't tell just from that.

The media PLUS a 5-user CAL make this a SMOKING deal IMO if it can be used with all computers...

 

[mugs]

I wouldn't count on it working on anything but the servers listed.

 

[Engineer]

For all you students out there ...

Click me.

For the record, this works for K-12 students also (per the site). I registered my daughter who is in 9th grade and received confirmation within 24 hours. Downloaded Windows Server 2008 and also a copy of Server 2003 and received activation codes for both.

 

[SAWYER]

How does Server 08 and 03 compare to Windows Home Server?

 

[bamacre]

Is it even legal that they sell it this way?

 

[dclive]

Why would it not work with anything but HP hardware?

Worst case one could probably use something like nLite to inject drivers back in if HP literally ripped them out, but I don't see that as likely (that HP ripped them out). I suspect HP's simply saying they'd only support those servers with 2008.

GREAT deal!!

 

[adlep]

IMO It will work on all systems...
Also, they are doing it so that more server people will start "playing" with it and adapting it.
AFAIK, the penetration of Win2k8 is very, very low...

 

[yinan]

server 2008 is actually pretty nice. Server Core + being able to do everything from the command line or scripted is very cool

 

[Liberator21]

Good opinions. Yes I got in on the free Server 08 deal, in fact I'm using it on my laptop right now as I type, but an error occured and it never activated.

I think I'm gonna pull the trigger, I'll let you guys know if it works!

 

[RallyMaster]

Server 08 is a very very nice operating system. I can do just about anything I can do with a consumer level OS in it. Games, movies, music. Has just about the same compatibility as Vista with a few small exceptions.

 

[datobin1]

Also server 2008 has Hyper-V = Virtural machines that perform like there on dedicated hardware.

Hyper-V also officially supports MS-SQL server. Great for those vendor apps that need a "Dedicated Server"

If you havn't tried it yet, give it a go. Different world from MS Virtrual PC, much better performance.

 

[gpgofast]

This is also available on eBay and I successfully used 25% cashback! About $107 shipped!!!

 

[j0j081]

I have a few Server 2008 standard licenses. Been thinking about installing one and doing the workstation tweaks on it to see if it really is so much faster than Vista as many people claim. Seems like it might be a pain to install games on though. I wish I could sell my extra licenses but I think you have to me an MS authorized seller or something don't you?

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: RallyMaster
Server 08 is a very very nice operating system. I can do just about anything I can do with a consumer level OS in it. Games, movies, music. Has just about the same compatibility as Vista with a few small exceptions.

Vista SP1 = Server 2008

 

[j0j081]

Originally posted by: Crusty

Originally posted by: RallyMaster
Server 08 is a very very nice operating system. I can do just about anything I can do with a consumer level OS in it. Games, movies, music. Has just about the same compatibility as Vista with a few small exceptions.

Vista SP1 = Server 2008

yeah right. obviously you have no clue.

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: j0j081

Originally posted by: Crusty

Originally posted by: RallyMaster
Server 08 is a very very nice operating system. I can do just about anything I can do with a consumer level OS in it. Games, movies, music. Has just about the same compatibility as Vista with a few small exceptions.

Vista SP1 = Server 2008

yeah right. obviously you have no clue.

While that may be true, you can make it pretty darn close:

Click me!

 

[Jenova314]

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: j0j081

Originally posted by: Crusty

Originally posted by: RallyMaster
Server 08 is a very very nice operating system. I can do just about anything I can do with a consumer level OS in it. Games, movies, music. Has just about the same compatibility as Vista with a few small exceptions.

Vista SP1 = Server 2008

yeah right. obviously you have no clue.

While that may be true, you can make it pretty darn close:

Click me!

While you can make Windows 2008 run like Vista (for the most part, Media Center isn't included, for instance), don't expect it to work the other around.

 

[syadnom]

While it is not really true that Windows server 2008 can be turned into Vista, I can be modified to be a much better general purpose desktop OS than Vista. They use the same kernel and technologies but server 2008 is significantly cleaner. You can turn a few features on that you want for your desktop OS like sound and a couple other tweaks as pointed out in previous posts yet still have about as lean of a windows desktop as possible with Windows.

I got a copy on discount and run it as a desktop, it is much much better than vista on my Thinkpad T61. Vista was a dog but w2k8s is peppy and stable. Plus vista drivers all work on it.

 

[imported_motodude]

Anyone ever try this?

I'm doing the 240 day trial from MS atm but thinking about going ahead and ordering it.

 

[SAWYER]

Um forget this, I just ordered Windows Home Server form newegg for 99

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Sawyer
Um forget this, I just ordered Windows Home Server form newegg for 99

Completely different product.

 

[freshspace]

Originally posted by: syadnom
Vista was a dog but w2k8s is peppy and stable. Plus vista drivers all work on it.

Can someone help me answer some questions about this product? I am interested in this OS. I would like to just use it as a desktop OS, because stupid me, I don't know how to run a server. I'm serious. Then, only the Vista drivers work on this? Not XP? Anyone would like to point me to a tutorial sit for Server 101?

 

[Liberator21]

Freshspace, I was going to PM you but there's not an option?

Anyhow, here is what I used: http://www.win2008workstation.com/wordpress/

And here is if you need ReadyBoost: http://www.win2008workstation....topic.php?p=2114#p2114

 

[UnderTheHood]

Sorry guys, this is just a 5-cal pack, that's why it's so cheap.

 

[jalaram]

Originally posted by: UnderTheHood
Sorry guys, this is just a 5-cal pack, that's why it's so cheap.

Please elaborate what that means and why a home user needs more than 5 cal?