Windows XP HOME VS PRO

[Aurora-[NZ]]

Basic question, needs a basic answer. I have just completed my computer. I need to get my OS for it so its a toss up between Windows XP Home edition or Pro. Whats the pro's/cons/differences? Bearing in mind im a hardware geek and gamer...

Specs:

AMD Athlon 64, 3500+
2048Meg DDR400 (PC 3200) Ram
Seagate 7200, 80gig
Excalibur Radeon X800 XT IceQ II

Regards,
Nik1818.

[Yannick]

Good to see you round mate.

I'd advise PRO, because I like it better, and it has better security, and supposed to be more stable.

[Monster_user]

The Home version will do if you have a good hardware firewall, and Anti-Virus. Thats the same for the Pro version though.

I'm really not to sure about the security differences. I do prefer the Pro version of Windows period. The Home version just lacks so many power features.

On that note, I prefer Linux even more. Notice Tux the Linux mascot as my avatar...
Powerfull, customizable, secure while online.

[Aurora-[NZ]]

Originally Posted by βlitzkrieg

Good to see you round mate.

I'd advise PRO, because I like it better, and it has better security, and supposed to be more stable.

Cheers mate! In regards to your Sig i'll be into Guild wars when it comes about too.

Thanks for the help guys, i'll probably be getting the Pro version then, i'm not too sure. Its a little more expensive however

[Yannick]

Yes, it is, though I reckon it's worth it, myself.

[Pestilence64]

Well the only difference between the 2 really is Home has less Administrative tools, Networking tools, and does not come with IIS. None of which you need unless you plan to hook your computer up to a fully functional network of more than a few computer.
Home for a single desktop will save on performance becasue it has less services running in the background by default.
Of course you never know when you may need those tools and services later down the road and you could always turn them off till you actually need them.
depends on what you plan to do with this computer.

[Elrond1982]

It's too bad that over the years, Microsoft's prices don't go down - that is until a new OS is released. But if you can afford it, XP Pro does have advantages that you may find you will need eventually. Administrative functions are a good bonus and will give you better control over what the system does in the background, especially with Service Pack 2! Since I've downloaded SP2, I've enjoyed not having so much spyware and adware. Of course, SP2 is for both Home and Pro, so it's definitely a bonus. Either way, with SP2, you'll have a very satisfactory operating system. With either version, the hard drives do not crash nearly as much as they did with Windows 98 or ME (yuk).

[Pyroshane]

If possible, try and find a college student to buy it for you. I was able to buy OEM versions of XP Pro and Office 2003 Pro for $85US (+tax) each at the student bookstore. The XP Pro was the full November 2004 version with SP2 preinstalled.

[Elrond1982]

Yeah, my university has it at the same price - that's actually where I got mine doing graduate courses in spring 2005 (this semester). That is a heck of a good deal. Of course, we don't see the prices drop in ordering magazines nor in stores - it's a great advantage of paying thousands a semester to go to college.