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[Tabris]

This is my home PC. (currently running windows 2000, I want XP for the look) I use it for email, internet, movies, music and games. I occasionally use photoshop, dreamweaver and word.

That's about it.

Which do you recommend? Professional or Home? I can get Home for free right now (through work, not pirated )

 

[Mugen]

Hmm... I don't really know since I don't have both. But I have XP Pro and perfectly happy with it. Best OS ever IMO.

 

[NetMapel]

Always stick with Pro =P

 

[Tabris]

Why Pro though?

I can get XP Home for free, Pro will require some convincing to get it for free.

I read the comparison chart. It's just some networking/file security and remote desktop.

 

[tedtropy]

Why Pro though?

I can get XP Home for free, Pro will require some convincing to get it for free.

I read the comparison chart. It's just some networking/file security and remote desktop.

If you just plan on using it for basic home use, go with the cheaper Home edition. XP Pro has domain support, remote desktop functionality, and some other things you're likely not going to use. If you really need remote desktop capability, there's always VNC, and it's free.

 

[Afro Thunder]

Please, don´t forget Service Pack 2.

 

[Jim Bowie]

SunOS?

But seriously, Pro.

 

[CaptainABAB]

Get Home.

And this is coming from someone who runs Win Server 2003 on his dell laptop. My wife uses XP Home on her personal laptop w/o any issues.

Pro is needed if you ever plan on connecting to a domain at work or you have a dual processor machine. Everything else is something IT groups need to manage desktops.

Save your money and spend it on an AntiVirus subscription or something.

 

[Warm Machine]

XP Media Center

 

[Tabris]

I can also get media edition. Why would I get that?

Does it have the same features as home/pro except with more media applications?

Also, everyone who is picking pro isn't explaining why -I- would need it over home.

 

[retardboy]

Hehe I love Media Center edition because of the media applications. I use it constantly. I doubt you'll ever be using it though, so don't even bother. For your home machine that you're only doing what you said, all you need is home. Since it's free, it's a no brainer. Everyone is saying pro because that's what they use, but it is no necessary for you. Go with the free one.

 

[tedtropy]

I can also get media edition. Why would I get that?

Does it have the same features as home/pro except with more media applications?

Also, everyone who is picking pro isn't explaining why -I- would need it over home.

Probably because they didn't pay for their copies of Pro to begin with. Or they think having 'Pro' behind it is really cool. For a home machine, XP Home is just fine and is cheaper. The big aspect of Pro, and it is indeed a big one, is its network domain support, making it essential for most business environments. If you don't have a Microsoft domain running at home, don't care about the system rollback feature (which ain't great to begin with), and don't need Microsoft's remote desktop tools, there's really no sense in spending the extra money.

 

[Lhadatt]

Unless you'll be setting up Windows Server 2000/2003 with an Active Directory in your home, go with the Home edition. Home does as much as Pro, except without the fancy networking stuff that home users don't need.

Best OS ever IMO.

Eh? Best Windows ever? Yes. Best OS? No.

That would be MacOS X.

 

[DarienA]

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp

As others have said for the most part domain related features, and remote desktop are the biggies missing from Home... easily a non-factor for most home users... so yeah you can safely pick up the cheaper Home.

 

[CaptainABAB]

Just to clarify, XP Home does come with System Restore (or as others call it System Rollback)


In terms of Media Center, it works best if you have a TV tuner card, a nearby cable TV hook-up and one of the XP MCE remotes. Viola - TIVO for free + other things.

Otherwise, you can get by on Media Player.


BTW, I helped my bro build a custom MCE - and I seriously envy it - especially the TV tuner card with the radio option he got.


Here is an article on XP MCE...
http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/windowsxp_mce2005.asp