windows vista. which version?

i want to buy a copy of windows so i can play all of my old games i have for my pc. on the internet (newegg) i see that i can buy the original retail version of windows vista and then an OEM version? the OEM is significantly cheaper and i was wondering if that would be ok to install on my mbp? it is also the 64bit version. thanks for the help guys!

 

i dont know for sure, but i think the OEM version is the one you need. and which version of BC are you using, im not sure if any of them or if all of them support 64 bit yet.

 

The difference between Retail and OEM is...well...packaging and price. OEM copies of Windows are meant to be sold to people that are building their own computers. I know NewEgg used to have a policy that they could only sell an OEM copy of Windows to someone who also was purchasing a number of PC components in the same cart. Whether that rule still applies, I don't know. OEM copies come in just a paper sleeve with a manual, usually just cellophane-wrapped on some cardboard.

Retail versions come with a retail box just like you'd see in a B&M store. These are the ones that you are *meant* to purchase for this type of situation.

Of course, if you can managed to pick up an OEM copy, you're not breaking any laws.

I know on Apple's website, they say that BootCamp only supports the 32-bit versions of Windows XP and Vista. However, I'm fairly certain I've heard of people getting the 64-bit versions to work. However, the driver disc that BootCamp makes WILL NOT work for this. You'll almost certainly have to find the drivers on your own.

 

It's not worth it to go for 64bit windows right now, you will have a lot of problems with drivers, specially if you want to game.

 

thank you guys so much for the help. 32bit it will be then. on newegg it says the OEM is made for one computer, so after i install it basically thats it? what if i need to reinstall something... will my activation of windows not work anymore?

 

OEM is indeed only meant to be used on a single computer. The activation is set off by hardware changes, not reinstalls, so you'll be fine on that count. And in fact, usually Microsoft will let you call in and reactivate it even if it does lock you out. (This is for things like, if you've got a computer running Windows and your network card needs replaced, and that pushes it over the edge. Microsoft doesn't want to penalize you.)

 

Yeaps, Boot Camp only officially supports 32-bit Windows right now. There are documented ways to run 64-bit Windows on a Mac, but if you ask me, its quite a lot of trouble. So just stick with 32-bit for now, if you ask me.

 

The biggest difference with OEM microsoft products is that the "key" is visible on the outside of the package thus and PC builder can load windows ( or whatever product ) install the key then provide the final customer with the package unopened for easier storage.
And technically you can install the same "key" again and again on different systems as long as you dont use the same IP and not with in 33 days.....
The OEM package was only intended for system builders but is now readily available. Microsoft has definately turned a blind eye to this in the last couple of years cuase it seems everyone is selling them no questions asked.

 

Get Vista Ultimate 32-bit

You can use 64-bit just fine but don't expect all the hardware to work without drivers. There are quite a few that you simply can't find right now because they don't exist.

I am running Vista Ultimate 32-bit on my 17" MBP and it runs flawlessly I'm quite impressed. Just remember to use a video driver from laptopvideo2go.com if you want gaming performance.

 

Also a good thing to note is that Vista Home Basic and Home Premium versions can not be run in a virtual machine. This may not affect you if you're wanting to play games, but you should note that if you get one of the two cheaper ones you'll be stuck with booting natively to Windows.

 

If you want to play all of your "old games" that you have for your pc, then the best version of windows vista is: drumroll.... xp.

Here I am, well aware that xp is not a version of vista, but you will have much better luck having older games run on xp than you would on vista.

xp is what you need. It is fast and clean and works perfectly. If the games you are playing are indeed old, it may not matter which video driver you use. I would still go to laptopvideo2go and get the most recent whql certified driver, at least. Good luck.

 

Just why is that? I've always wondered why on that. Does XP allow for itself to be run in a virtual machine?

 

thats totally not true. i have personally ran vista home premium in a vm.

 

thanks for all of the replies. so it seems that the OEM 32-bit version is fine in my case, as i just want to install it on my mbp and if i need to reinstall it im not locked out of my activation code forever. im still going to go with vista, even though i hateee it on my desktop because i want to play some newer games as well

 

Masterchef! Welcome back!

 

You are right, there is no physical limitation. The license says you can't run them, so you are breaking the EULA. They will run just fine in a vm though, and to be honest, I think MS is being a little ridiculous by trying to stop you in the EULA for that.

 

QFT. I've tried Boot Camp 2.0 with both XP and Vista, and XP plays nicer on my system. I've been able to run games as old as Need for Speed II SE with a glide wrapper on this machine, which is something that just could not be done on Vista no matter how hard I tried.

Stick with XP for the time being, unless there are applications that absolutely must run Vista.