Difference in XP OS's

[misterbadnback]

What exactly is in XP Pro that makes it different from XP? Is there really a big difference between the 2? I like XP and I really don't want to use VISTA because it is to early in it's life cycle to install it. LOL

[renegade600]

theres a few security differences - see this article (http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp) and this from microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx)

IMO, unless you need it for a buisness, stick with home.

[z1p]

I personally think the networking on Pro is better. If you plan on setting up a home network, I'd say go with XP Pro.

[photolady]

And XP Pro is faster, handles multitasking faster than Home or Media Center does.

[misterbadnback]

So if XP Pro is faster and handles Multitasking faster does that mean if I installed XP PRO 64bit that it would make a big difference? Of course I know I would have to make sure that I can find the 64bit drivers for everything first to make sure that they would even work. That way I could add another 2GB of RAM to my system and it would be able to all 4GB compared to 32bit that doesn't recognise and make use of all 4GB. Is that correct? I do have a home network with 2 systems and I am thinking of adding another to it.

[z1p]

Here is MS's word on 4GB and 32bit OSs (http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEmem.mspx)

[photolady]

Another problem with using 64bit XP can be software. If all your software is 32bit, you install on a 64bit OS, some will work, some won't. Same with games.

[RedSamuraiv2]

So if XP Pro is faster and handles Multitasking faster does that mean if I installed XP PRO 64bit that it would make a big difference? Of course I know I would have to make sure that I can find the 64bit drivers for everything first to make sure that they would even work. That way I could add another 2GB of RAM to my system and it would be able to all 4GB compared to 32bit that doesn't recognise and make use of all 4GB. Is that correct? I do have a home network with 2 systems and I am thinking of adding another to it.

I have used X64 before it was ok for work and just sitting there but ALOT of software does not work with it. Most of the users I have set up with X64 did not like it since allot of there software was not useable games it a problem on x64 so Gamers tend to stay away from it.
The difference between the XP Os's would be what you are doing with the XP pro has ISS for Webservers, FTP servers, ect. It also has more security Features that you would find Small Business needing.