Hey, a friend of mine just got a brand new MacBook Pro and wants to have the option of running Windows on it via Boot Camp/Parallels. Where can she buy Windows XP (avoiding Vista like the plague)?

MicroCenter had a bunch of copies in the "system builder" area last time I looked (that was a couple of months ago though).

A search at Nextag shows a *lot* of places to buy it online.

Terry:

This is one of the most reliable and least expensive places which I use all of the time.

Microsoft Windows XP Pro Full Version OEM 128.50

http://www.compuplus.com/ps-products-comboid-699~.html?...20n7&track=catSubcat

The only other thing is a piece of hardware needs to be purchased at the same time. I always buy a cheap mouse. Virtually any 3 button mouse would be a great addition.

Thanks Brian and Jack!
Brian that was the place where you recommended that I buy my copy and I couldn't remember where it was. Thanks!

New Egg is another source for OEM disks, albeit a little more expensive.

Another approach is to install anybody's copy of Windows XP with SP2. As part of the activation dialog, Microsoft will offer to sell you a license on the spot. About the same price as Micro Center, but there is no salesman trying to sell you a router.

Will that work with a copied CD? If so, that would make it easy for a lot of people to get XP easily if they wanted.

Well, I recently "Transported" a VPC7 virtual drive to Parallels 2 and Microsoft also sent a disk. So, I expect so.

When shipping costs and the hassle factor are included, the cost is close.