Is getting WinXP Pro worth the extra money?

[brian_riendeau]

NewEgg has WinXP Home for $90 and the Pro version for $139. I am aware of the differences between the two according to the FAQ and as long as I can use NTFS from the install with the Home version, it should be fine for me. What concerns me is future upgradability, I am worried that by going with Home now, I might lose out on an upgrade path to the next Pro version of Windows (whenever that comes out). Also, I am worried that I used some of the Pro features and do not realize it with my cable modem attached computer. Any thoughts on this and would the extra $49 for the Pro might be worth it on a gamble that the next Pro version of Windows will have some killer features in it? Thanks.

Not General Hardware related.

AnandTech Moderator

 

[gf4200isdabest]

If you are fine with home's current features, i don't know why you're concerned with upgrading to PRO later. 99% of users will never get any advantage from using PRO over HOME. If money is a concern then get the HOME version. Of course I can't tell you much about cost/performance cause I pirated XP Proffessional Saturday night for my new rig...hehe...

 

[c0rv1d43]

The main advantage I see in Pro over Home Edition for a home user is for situations where you have a variety of different users on the machine and need to tailor the types of access each user has to the machine. Since Home Edition lacks a group policy editor, and also has a more limited version of RUNAS (no /savecred switch) the Pro version is, in my book, a far better OS for the home user.

- Collin