Reply #44: You can still buy XP Pro OEM from some vendors - legal versions

[csziggy]

BuyCheapSoftware.com - http://buycheapsoftware.com/ms_products~subcategory~139.asp

DirectDeals.com - http://www.directdeals.com/category.aspx?categoryID=1233

I've bought operating systems and software from both places in the past and never had a problem with their service or with activating and registering Microsoft OSs.

The real problem is making sure drivers for the various computer components are available for the version of Windows you buy. Laptops, since they are more proprietary, are harder to find third party drivers if the manufacturer does not offer the drivers.

Since I have never changed OSs on a laptop, only on systems I built myself, I cannot speak to how well this would work on any specific brand or model laptop.

I have an Acer laptop with Vista on it and have never had a problem, even running some legacy software - some things I have been running since Windows 3.1.