If you're thinking about picking up Vista...
 

The upgrade version, which I think is around $200 cheaper than the full version, can be installed on a new machine with no prior install of XP, with a little workaround.

So there's no need to waste the extra cash on the full version or waste time trying to upgrade over top of XP. Here's the info copied from another site:

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Microsoft internal documentation reveals workaround for Vista Upgrade DVDs with no need for a previous version of Windows

Just when everyone thought that all hope was lost when it comes to performing a clean install with a Windows Vista Upgrade DVD, a gleam of light can now be seen at the end of the tunnel. A new workaround proposed by Paul Thurrott (via Microsoft internal documents) has been confirmed to work by DailyTech.

We reported on Monday that Microsoft doesn't perform disc checking anymore during an operating system install. In the past, when performing a clean install, a user could boot from an install CD and insert a disc from a previous version of Windows for upgrade compliance.

Per Microsoft's new licensing requirements for Vista, users are required to install a Windows Vista Upgrade from within Windows XP. When this occurs, the Windows XP license is forfeited and the Windows Vista installation process can take place.

Now, however, this workaround allows users to perform a ?clean install.? The process is a bit tedious, but is not hard at all to complete. Users have to perform these simple steps to perform a clean install of Vista without a previous version of Windows installed with an upgrade DVD:

1. Boot from the Windows Vista Upgrade DVD and start the setup program.
2. When prompted to enter your product key, DO NOT enter it. Click "Next" and proceed with setup. This will install Windows Vista as a 30-day trial.
3. When prompted, select the edition of Vista which you have purchased and continue with setup.
4. Once setup has been completed and you have been brought to the desktop for the first time, run the install program from within Windows Vista.
5. This time, type in your product key when prompted.
6. When asked whether to perform an Upgrade or Custom (advanced) install, choose Custom (advanced) to perform a clean install of Vista. Yes, this means that you will have to install Vista for a second time.
7. Once setup has completed for the second time, you should be able to activate Windows Vista normally. You can also delete the Windows.old directory which contains information from the first Vista install.

There's no telling why Microsoft left this loophole wide open with Windows Vista Upgrade DVDs, but this means that any retail upgrade DVD can be used as a fully functioning full retail copy of Vista.

Do you know how long it takes to install?

I'd hate to sit through the process twice (unless just the upgrade takes a year)

I'd pay the difference just to not have to install it twice.

No, I haven't bought it yet or even used it. I've been holding off buying a new PC for a while now so I am going to wait till I can purchase a decent system with it included already.

Cheers for the info...:thumbsup

Interesting tips. bookmarked for future consideration..not sure if I will take the plunge

the upgrade takes forever and a day to install.
the non upgrade one installs in like 15 minutes.

That's probably because it has to examine your XP install and back up all the files and crap. If you do it as a clean install you'd think it would speed things up.

I got a free CD of Vista recently but didn't get time to install it. I am thinking of creating a partition and running two OS's.

Who would buy that piece of shit anyway? I'm not getting it, unless I get it for free with a new pc...