Is it worth the money to go XP Pro?

[FrustratedUser]

XP Home Edition can be had ~$100 or so. But the extra $$$ for Pro is stopping me from going that route.
I know XP Pro uses NTFS and Home Ed doesn't, but is Pro really that much better?

 

[rky60]

Full & Upgrade Home Editions of WinXP have NTFS as an install option also...

I'm not sure what extra features are built into the Pro version but i highly doubt the everyday user needs them.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Didn't know XP Home could use NTFS! I think I remember reading that somewhere, could be wrong...
Thanks for your reply.

Now XP Pro for around $100 at the closest Comp shop looks good.

 

[Rkonster]

Pro has remote desktop also, while home doesn't. So if you are planning on using that, you will have to get Pro.

 

[Derango]

Theres a FAQ on this. Read the FAQ, if you need any of the features Pro gives you, get Pro. Otherwise, get Home.

 

[spyordie007]

Professional has the features of Home Edition, but also adds the ability to join a domain, support multiple monitors, use advanced security features (such as encrypted file systems), and act as a Remote Desktop server, sharing the local console to remote users. Pro will also make use of multiple processors whereas XP Home will only run on a single processor.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head, but you could read the FAQ for a complete listing.

-Spy

 

[cleverhandle]

<< ...support multiple monitors... >>



I'm pretty sure Home does this, too.

 

[spyordie007]

<< ...support multiple monitors...

I'm pretty sure Home does this, too. >>


I double checked this one and it looks like only Pro does, here is a features list for XP Pro, I couldnt find it listed anywhere in the home documentation http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/features.asp
and multiple monitors is on that list, just do a search for "monitor" or "dualview" and it should bring you to that section.

I remember reading a comparason doc from MS at some point and dual monitors was on there, but to be honest I dont have XP Home so I could never verify....

-Spy

edit:wow my grammer is bad this morning

 

[Macro2]

Windows Xp will be a lot better after Service Pack 1 comes out in the fall. Up until then you will still be a beta tester...

Mac

 

[spyordie007]

<< Windows Xp will be a lot better after Service Pack 1 comes out in the fall. Up until then you will still be a beta tester...
Mac >>


Yes but when are they going to come out with the next service pack for my windows 95a? I'm still beta testing that one, been waiting 7 years for them to fix it too!

-Spy

 

[Compuguru]

Macro2, you obviously have no idea what you are talking about. WinXP is the most stable version of windows yet, and it has been since midway through the beta versions. Thats a fact.

 

[spyordie007]

<< Macro2, you obviously have no idea what you are talking about. WinXP is the most stable version of windows yet, and it has been since midway through the beta versions. Thats a fact. >>


Even though I run Win XP I would have to disagree with that one, I would have to say 2K was the most stable. But what can you expect for all the aditional things that are thrown onto XP.

-Spy

 

[Compuguru]

IMO 2k and xp are about the same. I have not had an OS related crash from either operating system. But since xp does have more "stuff" thrown in, and maintains the stability, it its better than 2k. XP is just a pretty GUI attached to 2k anyway.

 

[Macro2]

RE:"Macro2, you obviously have no idea what you are talking about. WinXP is the most stable version of windows yet, and it has been since midway through the beta versions. Thats a fact."

Did I say stability? No. I'm talking about the critical updates in the form of security holes etc. There is even one for AMD processors. What are there 11 critical updates over what 50 megs total?
Now, where you log in for an update, MS takes inventory of your computer. Now what do you think they do with that data? Maybe compile lists of what software people run so they can get an edge on the software companies they "plan to compete with". Naw...
Back to satbility. Interestingly I can crash XP just as easy as 98...so XP is what 10-15% more stable? Hummm

Mac

 

[JackBurton]

<< Interestingly I can crash XP just as easy as 98...so XP is what 10-15% more stable? Hummm >>


WOW, I can crash Linux too. I guess no OS is stable.

XP is pretty bad ass. It took me awhile to get used to the pretty colors, but it has grown on me. What I like about it the most is the faster boot up time compared to 2000. VERY cool OS! Hey, and I'm excited, I finally got Dragon's Lair, Dragaon's Lair II and Space Ace (DVD version) to work on it!!!!

 

[Macro2]

Jack, I hear ya but to hear these XP lackeys you'd think XP is uncrashable.
I'd like XP better w/o the activation and the inventorying my PC. Minuus some of the dumb fluff too.

 

[mcveigh]

<< Macro2, you obviously have no idea what you are talking about. WinXP is the most stable version of windows yet, and it has been since midway through the beta versions. Thats a fact. >>


we run XP at one of the offices, I think it's the best initial release MS has had, but I still reccomend win2k to clients. I just get weird things that happen. I don't consider it stable enough yet. I really need sp1:disgust:

 

[duritz]

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

 

[alrocky]

<< XP Home Edition can be had ~$100 or so. But the extra $$$ for Pro is stopping me from going that route. I know XP Pro uses NTFS and Home Ed doesn't, but is Pro really that much better? >>

Windows XP PRO Upgrade <U>Academic Edition</U> can be had for $81.13 + shipping at provantage.com

 

[marylandnorthwoodclock]

<< Didn't know XP Home could use NTFS! I think I remember reading that somewhere, could be wrong...
Thanks for your reply.

Now XP Pro for around $100 at the closest Comp shop looks good. >>



I too debated. But thought: if I pay for XP home and like it then wish to upgrade to Pro, I have to spend another 140 dollars. So, why not save money in the long view, and go for Pro. That way, I'm ok in the upgrade path for a couple of minutes anyway! LOLs.

I've had xp pro for 2 weeks, coming from 98..it's wonderful. It really is. It's different, but change keeps you on your toes.

A side note, I've two Maxtors: put XP w/ntfs on one......Xpw/fat32 on the other. I feel fat32 is faster. But it would be a bold faced lie to claim I'm an expert at anything.

Keep an open mind and I think XP will please you...at any rate your puter will like it and be "modern"

Good luck.

 

[josphII]

people pay for their OS???

 

[cookj]

<<

<< ...support multiple monitors...

I'm pretty sure Home does this, too. >>


I double checked this one and it looks like only Pro does, here is a features list for XP Pro, I couldnt find it listed anywhere in the home documentation http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/features.asp
and multiple monitors is on that list, just do a search for "monitor" or "dualview" and it should bring you to that section.

I remember reading a comparason doc from MS at some point and dual monitors was on there, but to be honest I dont have XP Home so I could never verify....

-Spy

edit:wow my grammer is bad this morning >>




I have XP pro and my son has XP Home,we both have dual monitors.

 

[WarmAndSCSI]

XP Home uses NTFS and I even think by default. As for buying XP Pro, it's probably not worth it for yourself. It has a few more little administrative features and the ability to join an NT or Active Directory Domain, but that's about it...

 

[Zlash]

<< Did I say stability? No. I'm talking about the critical updates in the form of security holes etc. There is even one for AMD processors. What are there 11 critical updates over what 50 megs total?
Now, where you log in for an update, MS takes inventory of your computer. Now what do you think they do with that data? Maybe compile lists of what software people run so they can get an edge on the software companies they "plan to compete with". Naw...
Back to satbility. Interestingly I can crash XP just as easy as 98...so XP is what 10-15% more stable? Hummm >>



You didn't imply either way so don't expect him to be a mind reader, and I don't see what the amount of updates has to do with anything. If anything it means it's getting better every update, if we are going on size I'm sure we can find out 2k updates total a lot more than xp. As for them taking inventory, if you read the screen it says it is not sending information back to them, therefore they aren't taking inventory. If they were someone would be suing thier ass off you can count on that. As for crashing it, sure you can...but you have to try or be pretty dumb.

 

[spyordie007]

<< I have XP pro and my son has XP Home,we both have dual monitors. >>


Wow, guess I was wrong.
You'd think that MS would put that on their features highlight for XP Home, they did for XP Pro...

-Spy