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Least expensive path to Windows 7

Discussion in 'Community Broadband & Computers' started by Twriter, Jun 11, 2010.

  1. Twriter

    Twriter Get a Mac!

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    My daughter will be going to college this fall and I'll be getting her a Macbook Pro. In addition, I want her to be able to run Windows software so I'll be setting up a virtual PC using either Parallels or VMWare Fusion (haven't decided which yet).

    I want to put Windows 7 on her virtual PC, but I haven't been able to figure out the least cost way of doing so.
    My daughter's school sells a Windows 7 Professional upgrade for $78. (the same product through Best Buy is $199).
    Best Buy sells the full version for $299, but that's way higher than I can afford.

    Is there a way I can buy a full version of Windows XP or Vista so that I can use the $78 upgrade? I've looked in many places but I can't seem to find a reputable seller.
    Thanks!
    --- John B.
     
  2. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Have you looked at the OEM versions that Microcenter sells? They're usually pretty cheap, but they're tied to 'one machine'. In your case, not sure how much that would matter.
     
  3. luftinarr

    luftinarr Member

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  4. PDILLM

    PDILLM Well-Known Member

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    @luftinarr- Windows doesn't come on a MAC....

    I don't know any legal way of purchasing the upgrade without having it first.... Why Windows 7 though? If its just to have dual boot then I'd go with XP..... Not better...but cheaper...
     
  5. '03 Cavalier

    '03 Cavalier New Member

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    Agreed. An full copy of an OEM "system builder" edition is going to be the easiest route and hardly any more expensive than an upgrade. For $100, no taxes, and free shipping you can grab a Windows 7 Home Premium copy (Home Premium should be fine...I can't think of any reason to justify the additional expense of Windows 7 Professional). I've ordered from Newegg dozens of times over the years, they're a great store:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=3%2050001149%2040000368%204027%201179212227&name=Home

    As to whether or not you should go with the 32-bit or 64-bit version, the 64-bit is more future proof but if your daughter's machine has 4gb of memory, you can probably get away with allocating half of that to the VM for Windows. The 32-bit version is less resource-intensive, however, most everything she needs to run on Windows will probably run fine on it for years to come.

    XP isn't much cheaper at this point, and as it's getting long-in-the-tooth I'd go with Win 7. Since it's a computer for college, I'd be thinking in terms of what will still be functional in four years.
     
  6. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    The cheapest way is to find someone with an .EDU address and simply buy the student version of Win7.

    Any of your VT alumni friends have one (they get to keep their emails for life) or once your kid gets their email address they can buy it themselves.

    I think it's $65 for the full Pro version.
     
  7. exbubba

    exbubba New Member

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    My son goes to Radford has a mac pro and got the windows xp for 10 dollars form the scool with licence to use as long as he is in school. Student teach eidtion
     
  8. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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    What flynnibus said...

    http://win741.com/

    Win7 pro upgrade for $65...used to be $30...

    make sure to choose "i need to join a domain" and you'll get the pro version.

    If you don't have a .edu email, you can sign up at http://www.australia.edu/ and get a gmail-based edu addy. ;)
     
  9. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    Yes, many schools have similar site licensing programs, but the plan I mentioned above is unrestricted except to have an .edu address.
     
  10. Twriter

    Twriter Get a Mac!

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    Yes, my daughter's school also has the Win 7 pro upgrade for $65. But you still need a version of XP or Vista to upgrade from. Also, the $65 is for a download (soft) copy. If you want a disk, that's another $13, and I want a disk. Hence a total price of $78.

    So far the OEM version from NewEgg is the best deal at $100. I don't think I'll be able to find a version of XP or Vista for $22.

    Thanks to everyone for your input!
    --- John B.
     
  11. Twriter

    Twriter Get a Mac!

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    I followed the link to NewEgg that Cavalier posted. When I added the OEM version of Win7 to my cart I was then offered a bundle deal: Win 7 and Parallels for $140 total! This must be a popular combination. Then I just need to go to her school's web site and add the .edu deal for MS Office ($60 + 13 for the disk) and I'm done.
    This is working out better than I had originally thought.
    --- John B.
    P.S. Cavalier... My daughter also drives a Cavalier. But hers is a '97. Runs great and is an excellent snow car.
     
  12. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    It's an ISO - you gotta burn it anyways. Simple DVD burner and done. A DVD blank is cheap.

    When I did the install, I was not required to insert any media to validate it as an upgrade.
     
  13. iamironman

    iamironman hoa member

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    get her an Ipad...way cooler...whats with windows 7 anyway?
     
  14. '03 Cavalier

    '03 Cavalier New Member

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    Fantastic! Glad it is working out. Sounds like you are going to end up with Win 7, Parallels, and Office for about what a full "retail" version of Win 7 goes for.

    I'm a Cavalier of the UVA variety--I have driven a Cavalier though! Definitely good to have a quality snow car around here (particularly after this past winter).

    While an iPad is cool, having a copy of Windows 7 is going to come in handy at college. When I was in school, I had quite a few classes that always required some obscure piece of Windows-only software. Win 7 is a great OS and between that an OS X, she'll be able to run pretty much anything. And if she is so inclined, she can always install Ubuntu for free later as well!
     
  15. Twriter

    Twriter Get a Mac!

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    We considered an iPad, but in our in-store tests we realized that it isn't suitable to serious college work (researching, writing, and posting embarassing Utube videos of roommates).

    I'm putting Win 7 on her computer as a way of covering all bases. Although she is likely to work mostly in OS X and use Pages and Numbers as her main applications, she may encounter a need for some software or web site that is Windows-only. So far her college has said that choice of hardware & OS is largely up to the student's preference, I want her prepared for all possibilities. We fly out for orientation next week and hopefully I can get some better information when I'm on campus and can talk with professors in her major.

    FYI, I'm not getting her a backup drive. Instead I'm getting her a subscription to Carbonite for $55 a year. It backs up all your documents and applications (although NOT the OS, but that comes on a DVD supplied with the computer). Carbonite backs up anytime she has a WiFi connection, so in the event of theft or damage she will be able to get back all the files she created. I'm also putting LoJack on there for theft recovery.

    I think I have all the bases covered. Have I missed anything?
     
  16. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Carbonite is awesome and a GREAT idea for a college-bound student. Something else to look at (even the free version) is Dropbox. http://www.dropbox.com I use it to store files that I want to access from any of my multiple computers and devices (and yes, I have MANY, MANY of them...) This could be a great way for you and your daughter to have a common 'folder' which is always in sync between your computer and hers. That way you can share files such as images, and other things in an easier and more secure way than email. Just a thought...
     
  17. exbubba

    exbubba New Member

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    While carbonite may be cool, you can get a 1 terabyte back up drive for $129 at Office Depot. No more subscriptions and you can set up for automatic backup with no snooping for online companies.
     
  18. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    The problem with large single disk backups is.. when they go.. they go big. Nothing like not losing 20megs of data.. but 1 terrabyte of data.

    The advantage of the online backups is portability and resiliency. The only drawback is really speed due to network bottlenecks.
     
  19. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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    I would also check out Mozy -- it is owned by EMC, so they should be here to stay =)

    Also, I second Dropbox -- I love it, been using it for a few years.. you can get a couple gigs for free if you refer friends, etc. Perfect for all of your documents usually.
     

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