Jeff Erler
Active member
What advantages would XP Pro have over XP Home for my home PC that only has a couple of different users?
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Should I consider XP Pro vs. XP home for home comp?
- Thread starter Jeff Erler
- Start date
Bryan170018
Well-known member
Unless you want to run duel processors or have in house security concerns, no need to go PRO.
Bryan
Nikon Junkie
Bryan
Nikon Junkie
Chomper
Senior Member
XP Pro has more advantages than outlined by the other poster, however, if XP Home is working for you now, no need to upgrade. Pro won't be any faster.
Just shoot! =)
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Just shoot! =)
Mike Fulton
Senior Member
If you're a reasonably advanced user, you'll find that Pro has a few additional tools for various administrative functions.
Pro also gives you more control over user accounts and what they can or cannot do. For example, you can set access permissions for each file or folder on the computer.
While some people have figured out a way to install it, the Home version doesn't normally come with the MS Internet Information Server (web & FTP server). Even if you're not hosting a regular internet site, IIS can still be used to host a simple home intranet. And if you're using a real server instead of just browsing local files, then you have a bit more flexibility with regards to what can be contained in your web pages.
Mike
Paul Roberts
Forum Enthusiast
José Martins
Active member
Unless you need the extra functions for networking and user accounts management and security across all those users, you may stick to windows XP home without any problem.
The main and only diferences reside in those 2 areas. They call it professional as is primarly intended to be used in corporate environments where machines are connected to a domain server and you have several users.
XP home can also do networking, but it cannot for instance connect to a domain controller (there are ways...but thats another thing), therefore in some corporate environments XP profissional has to be used instead.
XP professional also includes Internet Information Server (IIS) wich is a web server, but home users normaly do not need it, and can, as someone already mentioned use apache instead (which is free)
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J.Martins
(Portugal)
The main and only diferences reside in those 2 areas. They call it professional as is primarly intended to be used in corporate environments where machines are connected to a domain server and you have several users.
XP home can also do networking, but it cannot for instance connect to a domain controller (there are ways...but thats another thing), therefore in some corporate environments XP profissional has to be used instead.
XP professional also includes Internet Information Server (IIS) wich is a web server, but home users normaly do not need it, and can, as someone already mentioned use apache instead (which is free)
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J.Martins
(Portugal)
Mike Fulton
Senior Member
For a basic intranet site, IIS is far, far easier to manage than Apache, and does not require 3rd-party addons for things like ASP support.
And besides, the question was what is different between XP Pro and XP Home, not "what's the best web server".
Mike
talmy
Senior Member
With a single computer, basically none, but if you have two or more systems the following were compelling features for me:
1. Ability to have files private to one user shared across systems (for that same user).
2. Ability to share files among a subset of all users. Actually, this is an advantage with a single system as well.
3. Transparent file encryption. Usefull for notebook computers if they are stolen -- thief can't access data.
4. Remote desktop -- allows logging into one computer from another.
5. Offline files -- useful for a notebook system to synchronize with a desktop or server. Much better than the briefcase feature supplied with XP Home.
Roger Hall
Active member
XP Pro is the only SP version that will be upgraded in the future. XP Home is a dead end product. All professionals that I know suggest XP Pro. I personally wouldn't install XP Home.
Bill42690
Senior Member
BS. Pro and Home are essentially the same product. Win95, Win98 and possibly WinMe won't be "upgraded."
BS.
You must not know many true professionals
I'd like to hear your OBJECTIVE, fact-based reasons for making such a statement
Chomper
Senior Member
Bill, relax.
First off, 95 IS DEAD. 98 is on it's way to being that. NT is just about dead too. ME is a piece of cr*p.
Generally, as a pro, I recommend Pro over Home when someone is operating a rather high end system. Home is good for the rest.
Just shoot! =)
First off, 95 IS DEAD. 98 is on it's way to being that. NT is just about dead too. ME is a piece of cr*p.
Generally, as a pro, I recommend Pro over Home when someone is operating a rather high end system. Home is good for the rest.
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Just shoot! =)
Pro and Home are identical code. Pro adds networking features. If you're connecting to a business network, you need Pro. If you're at home, unless you run a server, Pro is a waste of money.
That's how it was explained to me by an IT professional here at work.
I bought Home, saved $100, and it works very well for me. I connect to a router to my home internet DSL connection.
Cheers,
japandave
That's how it was explained to me by an IT professional here at work.
I bought Home, saved $100, and it works very well for me. I connect to a router to my home internet DSL connection.
Cheers,
japandave
Chomper
Senior Member
That's fairly correct. There are people called Power Users out there who do things that Home can't do. Networking was already named but also Dual Processors and etc.
So yes, Pro is overkill for most people, but if you know your going to need some features, Pro is the way to go. It's not that much more expensive. If you are paying $100 more for Pro, then you aren't looking hard enough.
Just shoot! =)
So yes, Pro is overkill for most people, but if you know your going to need some features, Pro is the way to go. It's not that much more expensive. If you are paying $100 more for Pro, then you aren't looking hard enough.
--
Just shoot! =)
Bill42690
Senior Member
I've had my Prozac today!
The whole Win9x line is dead, but WinMe, in spite of being cr*p, IS still supported. The NT line is still very much alive (except NT 4.0). This is the basis for XP Home/Pro. Note the OP said XP Home is dead (Still very much alive, as is Win2K.)
In your profile you state you are a pro photograper... but I'll leave that alone. I would like to hear your specific reasons why, other than perhaps dual processor support, you automatically recommend Pro for a "high end" system
Chomper
Senior Member
Thanks Bill, I do quite well.
Win NT is on the way out, sorry if you missed the memos. We're not talking being supported here, just that some OS's are clearly cr*p.
And it's not just me who recommends Win XP Pro for high end systems, but sites like Anandtech and Sharkeyextreme.
High end system is just that, high end system. What do you not get? XP Pro is not that much more expensive than Home so I don't see the problem.
Just shoot! =)
Win NT is on the way out, sorry if you missed the memos. We're not talking being supported here, just that some OS's are clearly cr*p.
And it's not just me who recommends Win XP Pro for high end systems, but sites like Anandtech and Sharkeyextreme.
High end system is just that, high end system. What do you not get? XP Pro is not that much more expensive than Home so I don't see the problem.
--
Just shoot! =)
Chomper
Senior Member
To humor you though, a couple of reasons:
1.) Security
2.) Networking
I figure those two would be important for those who like to keep their stuff safe, whether it be businesses or just power users at home who like to keep things safe.
Just shoot! =)
1.) Security
2.) Networking
I figure those two would be important for those who like to keep their stuff safe, whether it be businesses or just power users at home who like to keep things safe.
--
Just shoot! =)
Jeff Erler
Active member
I was kind of annoyed with the limited security features in Home in terms of file and folder sharing so maybe I will go with Pro on the next PC. I have also had problems with apps running for all users without making all users administrator or what ever they call it. Even then I have had issues. For instance I installed PSE using my account with administrator privileges but no other account can run the app.
J
Jim Cockfield
Guest
I see that others have already mentioned things lke remote access, etc.
It's also my understanding that the backup utility included with XP Pro (Accessories, System Tools, Backup), is not part of the XP Home installation (although it can be installed from the CD, the Automated Recovery Wizard won't run properly under XP Home according to Microsoft).
So, if you're not going to use a 3rd party backup utility, this would also be something to take into consideration.
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JimC
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http://www.pbase.com/jcockfield/konica_kd510z
Roger Hall
Active member
Boy, you are nice! Guess I will keep my opnions to myself..
Roger Hall
Active member
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