Windows XP has officially been discontinued by Microsoft. In fact, Microsoft stopped selling the popular operating system way back in 2008.
But for those who just refuse to let a good thing go, it’s not impossible to buy a Windows XP machine in 2013. In fact, it’s easier than many people think.
There are a few different ways to purchase a Windows XP machine in 2013. Follow the guides listed below to experience the joy of a bright green start button and efficient resource usage.
Buy a Windows XP PC from Amazon
Amazon has a surprising selection of computers with older operating systems. All you have to do to find these operating systems is go to Amazon.com and search for ‘XP computers’. You’ll find a number of used machines that run various versions of Windows XP.
Some of these computers are sold by individual retailers. But the first few results that appeared on my search were from Dell. Sure, you have to put up with 40GB hard drives and a 2.8GHz single core processor, but at least you’ve achieved your dream of buying a PC with Windows XP in 2013.
You can find a wide range of netbooks, laptops, and desktops using this method. Prices are as low as $60 or so, and you may be able to get free shipping on some orders.
Buy from DellAuction.com
DellAuction.com is an official subsidiary of Dell. At DellAuction.com, visitors will find a wide range of surprisingly good computers. Seriously – how did I not know about this site?
Current popular deals include a Core i5 laptop with 4GB of Ram for just $227. But it doesn’t run XP. Just like on Amazon.com, you can perform a quick search for ‘XP’ to turn up all deals.
And what do you know? There’s an auction on a Windows XP Pro PC that has 1 current bid of $0.99. Macklemore would be proud. That PC includes a 3GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, and an 80GB hard drive, along with the true prize – 32 bit Windows XP pro. Not bad!
Machines purchased through DellAuction.com are all used, but they have been refurbished by Dell, which means that you probably won’t be able to tell the difference between your used computer and a brand new PC. Even better – you will receive the Windows XP media disks when purchasing an XP PC off DellAuction.com.
Craigslist, garage sales, etc.
Of course, if you’re buying a used Windows XP computer, you could find some pretty good deals on your local Craigslist section. People may be giving away old XP computers for free – or a price so close to free that it might as well be free. This is a great way to scoop up old XP rigs without paying for expensive shipping.
Buy a machine with no operating system
If you have an old Windows XP disk kicking around, then you may be able to install that OS onto a new PC with no operating system. Build a new PC out of old PC parts, then install Windows XP onto the system as you boot.
Buy netbooks
Netbooks were the last major bastions of Windows XP’s popularity. Windows XP was perfect for netbooks due to its small hard drive requirements and low resource usage. I bought a brand new Acer Aspire One netbook in 2009 that ran Windows XP, and there are plenty of netbooks still kicking around with Windows XP on them.
If you want to buy a PC with the latest possible hardware, then a netbook is your best bet. Otherwise, use the methods listed above to find the perfect PC for your needs. But remember: you’re running out of time. Already, Amazon.com and DellAuction.com are featuring fewer XP machines than ever before.
