Is Windows XP home edition much different from XP Pro?

Kimberley

I wanna get a new computer and it has XP Home instead of the one i'm used to which is XP proffessional. Any ideas? :beer:

random456

From what i remember, from a aesthetic point of view they are pretty much the same except pro slows your comp down more (ive had both) and im perfectly happy with home. if you need to know all the technical ins-and-outs try the techy board..

Kimberley

Thanks for that :beer:

Rev

Aesthetically they're the same. Neither slow your computer down any. Unless you're a techie I doubt you'll notice any difference at all.

I use pro on my PC (have used both extensively), but that's just a personal preference.

nej

pumpa wrote:

From what i remember, from a aesthetic point of view they are pretty much the same except pro slows your comp down more (ive had both) and im perfectly happy with home. if you need to know all the technical ins-and-outs try the techy board..

Sorry, wrong! Pro is NOT slower than Home.

Main difference is that Pro can connect to a domain, Home is limited to a Workgroup. If that makes no sense at all to you, and you are not using it at work, but Home edition!

Little_John

For home use you proberbly wont need any of the features pro has over home. To look at they are pretty much identical and it is only when you go in to other sections and try the items below you will notice anything different becasue they are not available. the look of the start menu can be changed from the windows XP theme to the classic grey that may be how you me used to. The main item is the domain connectivity that you get with pro and not home.

These are the differences that pro has that home doesnt
Remote Desktop: Remotely access your Windows XP Professional PC, from another Windows PC, so you can work with all of your data and applications when you're away from the office.

Backup Software: XP Pro comes with Microsoft's backup software out of the box; XP Home does not. (On Windows XP Home, you need to install Microsoft's backup software from the Windows XP installation CD.

Offline Files & Folders: When you're disconnected from the network server, Windows XP Pro gives you access to files and folders offline.

Scalable Processor Support: Windows XP Pro supports up to two processors.Windows XP Home can't support more than one.

Encrypting File System: This feature of XP Pro protects sensitive data in files that are stored on disk using the NTFS file system. A good security feature; especially if you have a laptop.

Access Control: On XP Pro, you can restrict access to selected files, applications and other resources, as a security measure.

Multi-lingual User Interface (MUI) add-on: On XP Pro, you can change the user interface language to get localized dialog boxes, menus, help files, dictionaries, proofing tools, etc.

Centralized administration: A computer with Windows XP Pro can be joined to a Windows Server domain to take advantage of powerful management and security tools.

Group Policy: Simplifies the administration of groups of users or computers on XP Pro.

Software Installation and Maintenance: You can automatically install, configure, repair, or remove software applications on XP Pro.

Roaming User Profiles: Gives you access to all your documents and settings no matter where you log on.

Remote Installation Service (RIS): XP Pro has support for remote operating system installations, where desktops can be installed across the network.

As XP home doesnt support more than 1 CPU so a dual core CPU is going to require XP pro to benifit.

Kimberley

Thank you little John. I already have XP pro on my computer, but i've just bought a laptop with XP Home on it. All i need the Laptop for is the Internet and for my kids to do their homework on with Microsoft Word, so i guess it's best to keep the home edition.

heymylastnameislewis

can i just say if u can wait, the new windows will be out soon so may as well wait for that to come out and see if u like that one!

Little_John

heymylastnameislewis wrote:

can i just say if u can wait, the new windows will be out soon so may as well wait for that to come out and see if u like that one!

I clicked the wrong button again agghhh

You have never used a first release of a microsoft operating system have you?

She already has bought the new laptop so waiting isnt an option anyway. XP home is fine for web use you can share files and printers ect so it is find for what your doing. I use XP home on my old laptop mainly becasue I cant be bothered to upgrade it.

going2die_rich

Pointless in paying for Windows XP as the new Windows Operating System (Widnows Vista) is to be released early next year, so just stick with XP home for now!


NB:The new Windows Operating System Vista will be very resource intensive so make sure your pc can handle it forthe future:

A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:

1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor1.
1 GB of system memory.
A graphics processor that runs Windows Aero2.
128 MB of graphics memory.
40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
DVD-ROM Drive3.
Audio output capability.
Internet access capability.


Minimum Spec:

Processor 800 MHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor1
System Memory 512 MB
GPU SVGA (800x600)
Graphics Memory -
HDD 20 GB
HDD Free Space 15 GB
Optical Drive CD-ROM drive2

random456

sorry nej, maybe it isnt universal but on my comp, pro did slow it down for some reason.