ok put simply, what are the major differences between XP home and XP pro? id like out of a matter of interest
There are a few differences between the two, as quoted from microsoft.com. (Unless otherwise noted, these features are available in XP Pro, but not XP Home) 1) Remote Desktop – remotely access your Windows XP Professional PC, from another Windows PC, so you can work with all of your data and applications while away from your office. Personally, I use this a decent amount, and will be using it more soon. Right now I use it, for when I'm at work and stuff, to log into my computer in my room, to use Trillian and whatever else, since I can't install anything on the work computer. Over XMas break I'll be setting up a server at home, and I'll want to be able to access it over the internet, so that'll be what I use, along with ftp and ssh... 2) Offline Files and Folders - access to files & folders on a network share when disconnected from the server. I never use this, but it's a handy feature if you...get disconnected from servers often? Heh... 3) Scalable processor support – up to two-way multi-processor support. 4) Encrypting File System - protects sensitive data in files that are stored on disk using the NTFS file system. 5) Access Control – restrict access to selected files, applications, and other resources. This I use a decent amount. I'm at school, and I want to share files with my friends, but not with the entire college network, so I set permissions to certain users, and voila. 6) Centralized administration - join Windows XP Professional systems to a Windows Server domain to take advantage of the full range of powerful management and security tools. 7) Group Policy - simplifies the administration of groups of users or computers. 8) Software Installation and Maintenance – automatically install, configure, repair, or remove software applications. 9) Roaming User Profiles - access to all your documents and settings no matter where you log on. 10) Remote Installation Service (RIS) – support for remote operating system installations where desktops can be installed across the network. So there aren't that many differences, but it all just depends on what you're using it for. If you're on a network, get XP Pro. XP Home is really crappy for networking. If you don't need any of the features, and it's just a personal computer at your house, then get XP Home. Though I copied all the differences down here, the link to Microsoft's page where they compare the two versions is right here.
IIRC, it's mainly the networking stuff - XP Pro has much better networking support, as it is supposedly aimed at business users, but TBH as so many home users have networks now, XP Home is all but useless.
XP Home will limit network connections to 5 and does not allow domains. I have run into this limitation in a business setting. Go with Pro and don't look back.
I would jump on the Go PRO and never look back bandwagon - but Pro is $90 US and Home is $43 - so your wasting quite a bit o'cash if your not gonna use the Pro features. Most notable "PRO" features to me are: Multiple processors - Pro supports them, Home dont. Some people overlook the fact that hyperthreading processors appears as dual processors to XP. If you have hyperthread or dual processors your best bet is Pro...... Networking - I have had 6 computers running Home before on a network. See reference cut and paste below. Seems Pro has a limit of 10. Im guessing they mean the amount of of PCs that can be accessing any single resource at a given time. Meaning you can all be connected to the network, but only 5 PCs can be accessing a shared drive, folder or printer. I could be wrong as I have little networking experience except at home and 2 other business I work for. Basically if you need big or managed network your best bet is Pro. I use Home at home but I have 4 PCs and if someone comes by they will just have to wait to access my porn collection........ Also note it says this PC limit applies only to a peer-to-peer networking connection. I see no other reason to go Pro then the above for average users. I have heard so many people claim Pro is more stable - thats crap. Same core, same OS. I have also heard it less resource intensive. Thats also crap, in fact I would say MORE resource intensive in its native state. There are more processes and such running because of the extra networking features - sure you can turn them off but my default Id say MORE resource intensive. In the realm of things you should not base your decision on this as its probably a marginal difference. Features available only in Windows XP Professional * Peer to peer networking for up to 10 simultaneous users (Windows XP Home only supports five simultaneous users) * Server-based networking using domain authentication and support for Active Directory * Remote Desktop allows you to work from virtually anywhere and access files, applications and network services from almost any computer * Encrypted File System (EFS) helps protect sensitive data, even if your computer is stolen * Support for dual processors * Access Control restricts access to files and folders * Enhanced software restriction policy allows administrators to identify software and control its ability to execute * Group Policies allow administrators to organize users into logical groups and assign settings (security, appearance, management options) * Offline Files and Folders and Synchronization Manager allow users to work on documents while disconnected from the network. Offline folders can be encrypted for protection. Document changes are replicated back to the network * System Preparation tool helps administrators clone configurations and applications for deployment to multiple machines * Remote OS installation allows Windows XP Professional to be installed across the network * Multilingual support allows users to create, read, and edit documents in many languages using the English language version of Windows XP Professional * WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) provides standard infrastructure for monitoring and managing systems
