Buying XP for my home use but I don't know if it's worth it to get the home edition or the professional one.
I currently have 2K professional.
I do the usual things that most users do, nothing special. Is it worth it to spend the extra money on the professional version?
Also, any reliable place that has XP for cheap?
2007-01-26 02:02:22 · 7 answers · asked by Chris D 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
With Windows XP, the two Windows OS lines merge, so we no longer have Windows 2000/Windows NT and Windows Me/Windows 98—just Windows XP (and Windows Vista which succeeds XP).
The theory was that we have two different types of users: the office user and the basic home user with one machine. Hence the two versions of Windows XP: Windows XP Professional Edition, for those accustomed to Win2K Professional/NT Workstation, and Windows XP Home Edition, for those accustomed to Windows Me/Win98. However, I use Windows XP Pro because I consider the Home Edition to be a very crippled version of XP Pro.
Although the XP Pro and Home Editions share the same common core code, they don't have the same features. The right version for you depends on the functionality you need, so for other people may be quite happy with the Home Edition. Below is a short list of supported features:
Backup—XP Pro has the standard Win2K backup program; XP Home has no backup program.
Dynamic Disks—XP Pro supports dynamic disks; XP Home doesn't.
IIS—XP Pro includes IIS; XP Home doesn't.
Encrypted File System (EFS)—EFS debuted in Win2K and lets you encrypt files on an NTFS partition, a very useful feature for mobile machines. XP Pro includes EFS; XP Home doesn't.
Multiprocessor—XP Pro supports up to two processors; XP Home supports only one (as did Windows Me/Win98).
Remote Assistance—Both editions support Remote Assistance, which lets someone from a Help desk connect to the client desktop to troubleshoot problems.
Remote Desktop—XP Pro adds to Remote Assistance by letting any machine running a Terminal Services client run one Terminal Services session against an XP Pro machine.
Domain Membership—XP Pro systems can be domain members; XP Home systems can't, but they can access domain resources.
Group Policy—XP Pro supports group policies; XP Home doesn't.
IntelliMirror—XP Pro supports IntelliMirror, which includes Microsoft Remote Installation Services (RIS), software deployment, and user setting management; XP Home doesn't support IntelliMirror.
Upgrade from Windows Me/Win98—Both XP Pro and XP Home support this upgrade.
Upgrade from Win2K/NT—Only XP Pro supports this upgrade.
64-bit Support—Only XP Pro will have a 64-bit version that supports the Itanium systems.
Network Support—XP Pro includes support for Network Monitor, SNMP, IP Security (IPSec), and the Client Services for NetWare (CSNW); XP Home doesn't.
For the best list of supported features, their is a Feature Guide document (featguid.doc) on the root of the XP CD-ROM, or read the MS Tech Net document (google for it)
To buy XP cheap? Well you could try ebay, but you'll most likely end up with a pirate copy, but for a legit copy see here:
http://shopping.kelkoo.co.uk/b/a/ss_cheap_xp_pro.html
I use kelkoo a lot to compare prices - if you scroll to near the bottom you'll see you can get Pro around the 90 mark. The Academic upgrade requires you to fill a voucher getting it stamped at your school and sending it off (its only available for students), and you get the full version for cheap, the OEM version are full versions normally sold from resellers.
2007-01-26 02:29:05 · answer #1 · answered by redbaron101 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Home does not have as many security features as professional version. If you using at home, Home Edition should be just fine. The professional version has more compatibility for server programs, networking, group and user policies, things like that. More prominent in businesses since there are many more things to protect. As far as getting XP for cheap, since you are upgrading from 2000k pro, you could purchase the upgrade instead of the full version. That will save you money. Then, if you decide to get the OEM version(that just means it comes with no box, just disc in windows disc holder), that will save you even more. The OEM upgrade version of XP Home w/SP2 costs $85.00(no tax or shipping charged) at www.pricegrabber.com as of this morning. The OEM upgrade version of XP Professional costs $131.00 at the same site (no tax but $3.00 shipping included in price). Good luck.
2007-01-26 02:29:53 · answer #2 · answered by big mal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You nonestly don't need the Pro version if you're not going to create networking around the house and manage it from an IT stand point.
Browsing the internet, watching some video or managing your pictures on there or doing some work at home doesn't call in for a more expensive OS.
Save the money to get a nice wireless keyboard and mouse or a webcam if you wish.
2007-01-26 02:14:12 · answer #3 · answered by GuyNextDoor 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
windows xp professional dont have expiration date, but home edition ends after 30 days and have limited time of installations controlled by microsoft site when u go to internet., i can send u free cd of win xp professional if u want
2007-01-26 02:11:57 · answer #4 · answered by Comrad 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
^^ Guy is idiot, pro has 30 days as well as any Windows OS that has ever been released..
Advanced permissions, Dynamic volumes for HDD, Domain support, advanced file sharing, much more cant remmeber atm
2007-01-26 02:12:08 · answer #5 · answered by keith s 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Pro has better networking capabilities.
2007-01-26 02:08:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
you are buying for home thats why they separately released home edition
2007-01-26 02:10:20 · answer #7 · answered by ImGodgifted 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋