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bohdanz · Apr 23, 2008 , 06:29 PM

I need to buy WinXP before end of June.
Read Microsoft's releasing SP3 but can't see that it's retail available (or is it just for computer manufacturers.)

If not assume SP2 will work just fine with Fusion?

Thanks in advance.

ghporter · Apr 23, 2008 , 08:49 PM

I don't think MS will issue a version of XP with SP3; they're talking about ending all support for XP, so pressing the discs wouldn't be their style.

Getting a copy of XP with SP2 in it is more than sufficient. All you really get with SP3 is all the latest updates and some slight product improvements on certain built in stuff. Unlike SP2, which was really a whole new version of the OS, SP3 really is a "service pack."

bohdanz · Apr 23, 2008 , 11:31 PM

I've decided to install Win XP on my Macbook Pro to use a few Windows apps:

1. Naturally Speaking (I've read too many varying opinions of Macspeech's Dictate to shell out the $200 on a beta 1 app)
2. Quicken
3. Quicken Willmaker

I've used Moneydance on Mac but miss Quicken (the Windows version)

Thanks for your advice.

mduell · Apr 24, 2008 , 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by ghporter

I don't think MS will issue a version of XP with SP3; they're talking about ending all support for XP, so pressing the discs wouldn't be their style.

Where'd you get all this from? MS will continue to sell XP for at least another 2 years and may support it beyond that. I wouldn't be surprised to see SP3 pressed disks, but I haven't seen a release date yet.

ghporter · Apr 24, 2008 , 11:08 AM

My college book store says that they don't expect to ever see an SP3 OS disc, and I don't think it has anything to do with our campus-level agreement. While I'm hoping that they keep XP alive for more than two more years, I don't think that SP3 install discs will hit the market for a while, at least at the consumer level.

Big Mac · Apr 24, 2008 , 11:48 AM

M$ really wants to kill XP off. Many people say that as Windows releases go, XP is M$'s best ever attempt; as competition for Vista it's too good. I highly doubt there will ever be an SP3.

64stang06 · Apr 24, 2008 , 12:15 PM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

M$ really wants to kill XP off. Many people say that as Windows releases go, XP is M$'s best ever attempt; as competition for Vista it's too good. I highly doubt there will ever be an SP3.

Windows XP SP3 Released to Manufacturing

Windows XP Service Pack 3 Overview

Wiskedjak · Apr 24, 2008 , 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

M$ really wants to kill XP off. Many people say that as Windows releases go, XP is M$'s best ever attempt; as competition for Vista it's too good. I highly doubt there will ever be an SP3.

it's already out

Wiskedjak · Apr 24, 2008 , 12:39 PM

My guess is that as they burn new discs for the shelves, those discs will be SP3.

To the OP, getting SP2 will be fine for you, but you'll probably want to download SP3. Testers are reporting that SP3 results in a 10% performance boost.

moep · Apr 24, 2008 , 01:08 PM

XP is here to stay until Windows 7 is out or close to being released.
There are just way too many people unwilling to use their Windows ME-successor — and they know it.

As for the OP, the SP3 is a free upgrade for your XP-license. If you don't want the hassle of downloading SP3 every time you reinstall Windows, you could always slipstream SP3 yourself.

Wiskedjak · Apr 24, 2008 , 01:15 PM

Honestly, I think the Windows OS path of a new OS every 2-3 years (5 in the case of Vista) is over. They should move to the Mac model of releasing an incremental update every year.

mduell · Apr 24, 2008 , 02:31 PM

XP will be in extended support through 2014 and Dell reportedly commented to customers that they'll continue selling it through 2012. Why would they keep pressing SP2c disks for another 4 years?

seanc · Apr 24, 2008 , 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

XP will be in extended support through 2014 and Dell reportedly commented to customers that they'll continue selling it through 2012. Why would they keep pressing SP2c disks for another 4 years?

Did I miss this memo?

Last I read was that XP Pro was being killed off in June with Home sales continuing for the Eee PC and similar.

64stang06 · Apr 24, 2008 , 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

XP will be in extended support through 2014 and Dell reportedly commented to customers that they'll continue selling it through 2012. Why would they keep pressing SP2c disks for another 4 years?

That's the key word, support. Doesn't mean they will sell it past this June, which Ballmer even reiterated today.

seanc · Apr 24, 2008 , 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by 64stang06

That's the key word, support. Doesn't mean they will sell it past this June, which Ballmer even reiterated today.

Thought so, so we're still screwed in not being able buy it after June unless we bulk buy a load of licenses now. Better get the remaining 2000 users off of it quickly and onto XP.