XP Pro or XP Home?

[MuseRider]

Have to buy a new computer. I had XP Home, found it pretty but really silly to the extent that it was almost confusing. Is XP Pro just XP home without the stupid scratching dog while you search? I use my computer just for regular stuff, mostly e mail and DU! Some word processing, record keeping. Got any opinions? I have NO clue but I am leaning to XP Pro unless you have to be smarter than I am to run it and I am not computer smart.

[EXE619K]

1. They seem fairly the same thing to me.

Running Home edition now, and WIN2000 and XP Pro at the office.

Let's see what "Long Horn" looks like, before switching over to Linux.

But, That's just my opinion.

[Nomad559]

25. Let's see what "Long Horn" looks like

before switching over to Linux


Here are some screen captures I took of Longhorn.

http://www.boomspeed.com/damon559/LH4.JPG

http://www.boomspeed.com/damon559/LH.JPG

http://www.boomspeed.com/damon559/LH2.JPG

http://www.boomspeed.com/damon559/LH3.JPG

http://www.boomspeed.com/damon559/LH8.JPG

http://www.boomspeed.com/damon559/LH7.JPG

http://www.boomspeed.com/damon559/LH6.JPG

http://www.boomspeed.com/damon559/LH5.JPG

http://www.boomspeed.com/damon559/LH9.JPG

http://www.boomspeed.com/damon559/LH11.JPG
http://www.boomspeed.com/damon559/LH12.JPG

http://www.boomspeed.com/damon559/LH14.JPG

http://www.boomspeed.com/damon559/LH15.JPG

http://www.geocities.com/nomad559/Longhorn

[Old and In the Way]

I had Pro on my last machine and Home on this one.

I can't tell any difference. My understanding is that Pro is the better choice for a network environment....but if you use it on a standalone application, it's pretty much the same.

[Liberal Veteran]

2. They are EXACTLY the same except for two main things.

1) XP Home cannot join a domain. It is built for home networks, not corporate networks. Basically an unneeded feature for the home user.

2) XP Home doesn't support multiple processors.


That's it.

99.9999999% of home users will find XP home more than covered their needs.

[Dunedain]

23. Exactly right

[PVnRT]

3. There's not much difference

XP Pro just has more features, basically. It's not any harder or easier to use, at least in my experience.

[Florida_Geek]

4. I would have never gone XP Pro but I had 2000 PRO and you

had to upgrade to XP Pro.

There is also a number of programs for remote debugging of your system, which IMHO are only virus magnets.

[billbuckhead]

6. The only real solution to Microsoft is to buy as much as you can

Trust me, somewhere down the road you'll wish you bought the latest most feature laden version.
Then there's those other solutions like OS X. In fact if your using your computer just for internet and multimedia and not games or very specific business programs, you'll probably be happier on Mac. The iLife suite is great. It's like comparing an American car to a German one.

[MuseRider]

13. Thanks but no thanks on the mac.

I am on my husbands Mac notebook right now. I prefer to remain a bit more independant. Not that this is exactly the correct way of thinking but he tends to get "too involved" with my e mail etc. and likes to get into my computer when I am not around or through the network. With a different system I think (I do not know at all) that I am a little more able to stop the spyware etc. I use ZoneAlarm and SpyBot and double password protect my computer. Probably it is false security but if you knew how many computers this man has ruined you would understand.

[MuseRider]

5. THANKS!

That is kinda what I thought. Gotta go build a new computer, I appreciate the help.

[Gman]

7. XP Home is a souped up Windows ME

XP Pro is Windows NT 5.1 (Win2K was NT 5.0). Pro has all the networking benefits that come with an NT machine and is easily integrated into a Win2K environment. Home is for those that don't have the networking demands that an office environment has.

Since I've not used XP Home much I don't know how much better it is than the original ME. I've not heard anything negative about it being unstable like the old ME. If you don't need something that has to be easily integrated into a Win2K or Windows Server environment you probably don't need Pro.

[MuseRider]

8. Thanks

the price is the same. I was just really annoyed by Home and hoped Pro would be a little less "cute". I figured since my computer is not really fixable (really expensive) I would try something different but apparently it is not that different. BTW, be careful if you decide to but a Compaq. I had nothing but trouble with them, the system they sent never allowed me to be the administrator and the place where the power source plugged in broke requiring a replacement of the system board after 1 lousy year. Anyway, thanks.

[neoteric lefty]

10. no no no

XP Home and Pro are built on thame NT architecture. Pro has more high-end networking features and some more admin tools (i think) but they are basically the same. XP may not be the grandest in the world but don't you dare compare it to the Lord of All That is Shit also known as Windows ME.

BTW I use 2000 pro still, XP is too bloated for me.

[FlashHarry]

9. I have XP Home and it's perfect for me.

Although, my main computer is a Mac with OSX Panther, which rocks...

[LTR]

11. XP Pro still has the dog

I use it, and not sure what the difference is between Pro and Home.

[Deja Q]

12. Multiprocessor and networking support

If you use an Intel P4 with hyperthreading, XP Home is useless.

For networking, Home can give you dial-up and some peer connectivity, but the bulk of etworking is disabled.

[MuseRider]

14. If only I knew

what you are talking about!!! I am a dope about computers except for what I use them for. I have a wireless connection through the main computer and that is the most I know about networking. Home worked but not always. Very basic stuff for me.

[OKNancy]

16. Perfect little search engine

I NEVER use the XP search function. I got a nifty little search engine called Angent ransack. I highly recommend it. It's free and can be found at agentransack.com.

[MuseRider]

17. WOW!

The search function on my XP home was terrible and as much as I LOVE cute little animals those stupid graphics just pissed me off while I could never actually figure out how to do a proper search. I thought I was just stupid so I am glad to know it isn't me. I will try that as soon as I get the new computer. THANKS!

[Taeger]

15. Data Syncing ...

XP Pro has a built in data synchronization mechanism. If you have both a laptop AND desktop, it's invaluable for keeping your data in both places AND synchronized.

[MuseRider]

18. That is nice!

I think it will be PRO for me this time. Thanks.

[neverborn]

19. 2000 Pro. To hell with XP.

Seriously.

[jayfish]

20. Looks Like It's PC Night In The Lounge. My .02.

1. XP Pro or don't bother. You will probably upgrade to Pro anyway.
2. Turn all of the cutesy (Luna Interface) crap off.
3. Turn off the search assistant.
4. Turn off ALL of the menu fading and sliding and crap like that.

You will have a faster and more stable system as a result.

Jay

[tntoak76]

21. Re: Search Dog

You can get rid of the stupid dog once and for all. Open up a search window and there will be an option to get rid of the dog (i think it's worded use classic search). That's all you have to do. Another difference between XP Home and Pro is that Pro allows you to remotely access another PC running Home or Pro, whereas XP Home will only let your PC be accessed remotely.

[MuseRider]

22. Thanks and

welcome to DU!

[absolutezero]

24. linux

or XP pro if you insist on using windows

[MuseRider]

26. I would love to

but I do not think I could ever figure it out. I have always hated windows, I actually do prefer Mac but Linux takes more thinking than I am ready to give.