XP OS

[NoIdea]

My friend installed XP pro OS on my PC it seems that it is not a legit OS so want to go legit. But which one do I get. I want the XP version that has all the bells and whistles. I know I can choose form:

XP Home
XP Pro
XP Media

It seems obvious to me that Pro is better then Home, but Pro have everything Media has. Also can I install it more then once? When I get new PC do I have to buy another copy?

 

[Matthias99]

Home and Pro are pretty similar; there are some differences in networking (XP Home can't connect to domain-based networks, and there are a couple things related to remote desktop, and some security stuff you probably don't care about.)

MCE (Media Center Edition) includes a 'Media Center' application that can be used to make the computer act as an HTPC. Otherwise it is (AFAIK) the same as Pro.

If you buy 'retail' copies, you can transfer them to another system (as long as you have it installed on only one system at a time). If you buy 'OEM' licenses, in theory you cannot transfer the license to another system.

 

[NoIdea]

So what your saying is that MCE is the same as XP Pro plus HTPC apps? Will the prices of XP MCE go down once Vista comes out?

 

[Nick5324]

Originally posted by: NoIdea
So what your saying is that MCE is the same as XP Pro plus HTPC apps?

Yes. I don't know about the pricing after Vista comes out. If you don't have a previous legal version of Windows, say Win98, then you will need a full version, not an upgrade, if buying retail Windows. If you go OEM, you will be fine, but in theory this copy of Windows will be tied to your current motherboard. There is continuing debate about MS actually sticking to this though.

I'd just pick up WinXP MCE OEM from Newegg for $115, comes with an upgrade coupon for Vista as well.