Should I get Windows XP Home or Windows XP Professional for my build?

[Josh7289]

I'm not talking about XP Pro x64 Edition. There are too many driver issues with that...

Between XP Home and XP Pro, which should I get? The $50 price difference is kind of much. What exactly are the differences between the two and why is XP Pro better? I've been running Win 2K Pro for a long time on this old system I have here, and before that, Win 98.

I know the answers to these questions must be well-known, but I would appreciate your reply. Thank you very much!

 

[spherrod]

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx

Do you need to join a domain? If not, Home will probably suffice

 

[mechBgon]

Pro has a much longer support life at Windows Update, can do fun things like Encrypting File System and joining domains, features Backup, and lets you tinker with Group Policy Editor.

Pro also supports up to two physical CPUs. I'm not sure if dual-core will need XP Pro or not, anyone got a quick answer on that?

 

[Josh7289]

How about when Longhorn comes out? Will I have to reformat my hard drive with a 32-bit OS if I get the 64-bit version of Longhorn? Thanks again.

 

[nweaver]

imho, go pro. Simple file sharing is ass....

 

[Aenslead]

Yeah, XP Pro supports dual processors (not cores; Microsoft has said their policy on processors is based on sockets, not in cores).-

 

[sparkyclarky]

Pro if you have multiple computers
Remote desktop is great and faster than VNC.

 

[IEC]

Like they said, any power user would likely benefit from the extended features of XP Pro

 

[Josh7289]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Pro has a much longer support life at Windows Update

Please explain.

And what exactly do you mean by "Backup?"

Thanks again!

 

[Josh7289]

^

Thanks again.

 

[keeleysam]

Just download Pro

But SERIOUSLY, go Pro.

 

[rkoenn]

If the $50 really doesn't bother you go for Pro. However, if it does unless you are part of a domain (business environment), need dual CPU support, or some other bells and whistles you probably won't use in a home box for gaming, internet browsing, or high end networked apps, Home will be just fine. I think it boils down to what you use the machine for and your financial situation. Finally, if you ever want to upgrade to 64 bit XP, MS does it for Pro for a minimal fee. They do not do it for Home.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Josh7289

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Pro has a much longer support life at Windows Update

Please explain.

And what exactly do you mean by "Backup?"

Thanks again!

Because WinXP Pro is the business-class OS, Microsoft supports it at Windows Update through the end of ...2009, IIRC. And then it gets two more years of do-it-yourself patch support, wrapping up at the end of 2011. WinXP Home being the home version, its support at Windows Update goes *poof* in mid-2007 IIRC. Ironically, Win2000Pro has a longer support life than WinXP Home. Or maybe it's not ironic at all

I don't have time this morning to 100% verify and give you links, unfortunately, and a superficial glance at Microsoft's Lifecycle page may mislead you since they have a complicated set of footnotes and stuff.

Backup. Microsoft Backup. Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup. Or right-click C: in the My Computer window, click Tools, and it would be there with Defrag and ScanDisk.

 

[imported_rod]

Finally, if you ever want to upgrade to 64 bit XP, MS does it for Pro for a minimal fee. They do not do it for Home.

If you do want the upgrade, you will have to get it before 30 June. After then, you will have to buy the OS.


If you dont mind waiting, Longhorn _should_ be out next year.

Otherwise, Pro has some useful networking features, but otherwise is the same as Home. If it's not going to be on a network however, there is virtually no benifit in Pro.

FiSSion

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Pro has a much longer support life at Windows Update...
...Pro also supports up to two physical CPUs. I'm not sure if dual-core will need XP Pro or not, anyone got a quick answer on that?

I wasn't aware in a difference in support dates, but that link doesn't really answer the questions... Generally extended support is available 5 years after mainstream support ends.

That chart shows mainstream support ending for both on 31-Dec-2006, with extended support for Pro ending on 31-Dec-2011 (14), whereas home is "Not Applicable". Odd...
Footnote 14 read: Mainstream support will end 2 years after the next version of this product is launched. Extended support will end 5 years after Mainstream support ends.

Ahh, I see where the extra time is coming from, the fact the next OS hasn't been released. Either way, that means MS will support Home until 2011... I don't think that's really an issue at this time as that's 6 years away.

I have read dual core will be supported by home, pro will be required to support seperate physical processors. I'd have to double check on that though...

I'd guess 90% of people running Pro in a home environment do not need it, and home would work just fine. If you don't need a feature on the list spherrod linked to, you don't need Pro.

Also of note is the upgradability to XP64, is home upgradable to 64? Not sure on that one...

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Pro has a much longer support life at Windows Update...
...Pro also supports up to two physical CPUs. I'm not sure if dual-core will need XP Pro or not, anyone got a quick answer on that?

I wasn't aware in a difference in support dates, but that link doesn't really answer the questions... Generally extended support is available 5 years after mainstream support ends.

That chart shows mainstream support ending for both on 31-Dec-2006, with extended support for Pro ending on 31-Dec-2011 (14), whereas home is "Not Applicable". Odd...
Footnote 14 read: Mainstream support will end 2 years after the next version of this product is launched. Extended support will end 5 years after Mainstream support ends.

Ahh, I see where the extra time is coming from, the fact the next OS hasn't been released. Either way, that means MS will support Home until 2011... I don't think that's really an issue at this time as that's 6 years away.

I have read dual core will be supported by home, pro will be required to support seperate physical processors. I'd have to double check on that though...

I'd guess 90% of people running Pro in a home environment do not need it, and home would work just fine. If you don't need a feature on the list spherrod linked to, you don't need Pro.

Also of note is the upgradability to XP64, is home upgradable to 64? Not sure on that one...

As I said, support at Windows Update is longer with Pro. Being Pro, it has an Extended phase to it, during which you can get the updates at WU. Although you know MS will probably pull a Win98 again and extend the support, just due to the number of WinXP Home users out there

XP Home doesn't work for the XP64Pro upgrade as far as I could see, and that sort of makes sense, why let people buy XP Home and then get a free upgrade to a Pro-level OS?

I like Pro for home usage. Just the ability to use Automated System Recovery (part of Backup), the option to turn off Simpleton File Sharing, and the ability to use GPEdit would be enough reason for me. But to each his own

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: mechBgonAs I said, support at Windows Update is longer with Pro. Being Pro, it has an Extended phase to it, during which you can get the updates at WU. Although you know MS will probably pull a Win98 again and extend the support, just due to the number of WinXP Home users out there

XP Home doesn't work for the XP64Pro upgrade as far as I could see, and that sort of makes sense, why let people buy XP Home and then get a free upgrade to a Pro-level OS?

I like Pro for home usage. Just the ability to use Automated System Recovery (part of Backup), the option to turn off Simpleton File Sharing, and the ability to use GPEdit would be enough reason for me. But to each his own

It wouldn't surprise me at all if they extended, in fact I'd expect it... At any rate that's years off.

The flip-side to that argument is, OEMs are selling 64bit procs with XP home. Those users should/will want 64 bit code. Good point about the home-> level upgrade though.

 

[JackMDS]

Functionally, for a short run! If you are the only user and only would go only with peer to peer Network you can use Windows XP Home.

Any other consideration would call for WinXP Pro.

:sun:

 

[screw3d]

Remote Desktop is almost worth the price of admission

 

[n7]

Honestly, most people really do not need Pro.

That being said, i still recommend it, since most of us on these type forums aren't usually the normal user

 

[hippotautamus]

Most people get pro because they feel it makes them more important, but in reality, Home will do you just fine. Get professional if you need to join a domain, that is the only really compelling reason until dual core.
It's certainly the only reason I have Pro over home - I do need to join a domain lol.