Want to buy XP Professional for new system.

[Jazzatola]

I'm about to build a new machine and I'm thinking of purchasing an OEM copy of XP Professional to install on it. As I understand it, building my own PC makes me a 'System Builder' and so this is a valid purchase. Also, I want to upgrade to Vista when it arrives next year and I don't think I'll be substantially upgrading the new machine until at least that time so the OEM version seems like a good fit.

Can anyone confirm that owning the OEM XP will entitle me to buy the retail upgrade version of Vista when it comes out? More generally, does the OEM version seem like the best choice with Vista so close?

Thanks.

 

[AMCRambler]

Vista isn't coming out for another 6 months at least. On top of that, you would be foolish to start running Vista right away anyway until at least a month or two after it's been out so they can iron out any major bugs/security holes. Then you'll have to worry about compatibility issues with any software you run. IMO just get a copy of XP and let Vista become mainstream before you upgrade. Having the copy of XP will be nice if you decide you hate Vista, you can always go back.

 

[Theb]

You'll still be able to buy a retail upgrade of Vista if you're using an OEM version of XP.
I also think an OEM version of XP is the best choice right now even with Vista so close.

 

[dBTelos]

Get the retail version. It is so much less of a hastle, knowing that you can reinstall and what not without having to worry about activation and all that. I echo the part of Rambler's post about Vista.

 

[morkus64]

Yeah, don't hold your breath for Vista... that being said, unless you need the specific functionality of pro that MCE doesn't have, i'd go for MCE personally

 

[Jazzatola]

Thanks for the advice guys!

Having looked at my post again, I kind of skirted around the actual point, hehe. I'm definitely going to get XP and not wait for Vista but it seems with Vista not so far off that purchasing the full retail edition of XP would be a waste. Just in case there was any confusion as to what I was on about.

 

[ty1er]

I would wait to the release of SP1 for Vista was out before running it on my main system. Most of the major bugs should be worked out of it by there. You got pleanty of time to use winxp.

my 2 cents.
-ty1er

 

[Markbnj]

Originally posted by: dBTelos
Get the retail version. It is so much less of a hastle, knowing that you can reinstall and what not without having to worry about activation and all that. I echo the part of Rambler's post about Vista.

Well, you can damn near get two OEM copies for the price of a retail copy, not to mention that you just call an 800 number when the activation notice comes up, and MS will hook you up.

 

[ivwshane]

Originally posted by: Jazzatola
Thanks for the advice guys!

Having looked at my post again, I kind of skirted around the actual point, hehe. I'm definitely going to get XP and not wait for Vista but it seems with Vista not so far off that purchasing the full retail edition of XP would be a waste. Just in case there was any confusion as to what I was on about.

I think that's a good plan. If you know you are going to upgrade to vista when it comes out then why spend the money for the retail version of xp?

 

[omniviper]

oh yeah one mnore thing. vista requires specialized hardware. the monitor for example has to be compliant to a copyright feature. Also your system has to be compliant with it. i forgot where i read that but yeah.

 

[ivwshane]

It only needs to be compliant if you want to watch certain content at full resolution otherwise it's not a requirement for every day normal operation.

 

[CQuinn]

Originally posted by: omniviper
oh yeah one mnore thing. vista requires specialized hardware.

Not true.

the monitor for example has to be compliant to a copyright feature.

Incorrect. If you are trying to send High Definition content to a HD capable display,
then it may have to be compliant with the new DRM being put on Blu-Ray and HD-DVD
content, but if you can afford the content and the player the cost of a compliant monitor
is already in your budget.

Also your system has to be compliant with it. i forgot where i read that but yeah.

It will run fine on any modern system capable of running XP, you may need to spend
a bit more on system components to get all the bells and whistles working.

 

[Markbnj]

I also read that none of the HD-DVD content providers that have released titles are enforcing the HDCP handshake. I think it will be interesting to see how many do. I'm guessing they will lose their nerve.