XP SP2 or 3 using VmWare Fusion

I need a copy of XP SP 2 or 3 to put on my new iMac i5, using VmWare Fusion - XP hard to find, but available on ebay (which I'm amatuer at & don't fully trust my ability to choose proper version). Have been told by Mac it must be a full Retail version, but others have said their OEM version will work. All are non returnable, so please give me your advice on what to look for & buy safely. Thanks so much, Bev

I need a copy of XP SP 2 or 3 to put on my new iMac i5, using VmWare Fusion - XP hard to find, but available on ebay (which I'm amatuer at & don't fully trust my ability to choose proper version). Have been told by Mac it must be a full Retail version, but others have said their OEM version will work. All are non returnable, so please give me your advice on what to look for & buy safely. Thanks so much, Bev

Hi Bev4005,

I'm not familiar with running Windows XP on a Mac... why do you need XP and not Windows 7? Personally I'd go with the advice given by Apple on this and get a full retail copy...

Best
Rounik

Thanks for responding, Rounik. Mac is built so that it can run Win XP thru it's own BootCamp, or freeware VmWare Fusion, or Paralles. I have expensive graphics programs on my old Windows that I cannot afford to re-buy (i.e. Adobe PS = $1900). Since my Adobe, etc, is over 4 yrs old, I wanted XP because I *know* my Windows Adobe will work with XP, & am not sure it will work properly with the new Win 7. Ebay has XP, but my inexperience with it & the no return policy has made me leery of buying it there. I contacted a PC builder & he sold me a new copy of XP SP2 & it installed fine, so I'm set to go. It's neat being able to run both Windows & Mac on the same screen & easily switches from one to the other, using VmWare Fusion. Bev

Thanks for responding, Rounik. Mac is built so that it can run Win XP thru it's own BootCamp, or freeware VmWare Fusion, or Paralles. I have expensive graphics programs on my old Windows that I cannot afford to re-buy (i.e. Adobe PS = $1900). Since my Adobe, etc, is over 4 yrs old, I wanted XP because I *know* my Windows Adobe will work with XP, & am not sure it will work properly with the new Win 7. Ebay has XP, but my inexperience with it & the no return policy has made me leery of buying it there. I contacted a PC builder & he sold me a new copy of XP SP2 & it installed fine, so I'm set to go. It's neat being able to run both Windows & Mac on the same screen & easily switches from one to the other, using VmWare Fusion. Bev

Hi Bev,

Glad to know you got a copy of XP SP2. How are you finding performance of PS when running VmWare Fusion.

Thanks
Rounik