With the introduction of Windows 8, Microsoft may have reduced the number of retail SKUs, but there are still many options compared with the single OS X installation. Selecting the correct version for running in Boot Camp or other virtualization solution is important.
John Rizzo at MacWindows says that the wrong version of Microsoft Windows 8 may not install in Apple’s Boot Camp or in Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion solutions. Or the version may be more software (and cost) than you need.
There are two primary SKUS: plain old Windows 8 Upgrade and Windows 8 Pro Upgrade. However, there’s also the OEM System Builder License for Windows 8.
Windows 8 Upgrade will not work if you’re creating a brand new installation of Windows 8 in Boot Camp, or are creating new virtual machine with Parallels Desktop, VMWare Fusion, or Oracle VirtualBox. For these situations, you need a Windows 8 System Builder OEM version. The term “System Builder” refers to people who build their own PC from parts. Creating a new virtual machine or a Boot Camp partition is the equivalent of building your own system.
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