Happy Thanksgiving to all the forum participants. Now for my question: I have a choice between XP Home and XP Pro. What are the pros and cons? This computer will be for everyday use - nothing big and special and no networking. Thanx

I have Windows XP Pro SP2 MCE 2005 ,which is in fact is WinXP Pro with the Media Center Edition added! I have worked with PC's with WinXP home edtition and just from regular use it did not seem as robust as WinXP Pro. You may want to consider the MCE, this adds many options for using your PC and have added features in photo and TV ,video recordings etc. I did have to install a TV Tuner card to take advantage of the features that MCE offers however it was well worth the expense ! IMHO go with WinXP Pro MCE . Take Care ,Nick

Google is your friend: http://www.winsupersite.com/showcas...

If you do not intend to do any networking then XP Home is more than adequate. The main differences between Home and Pro are to do with networking specifically in a corporate environment. Home has networking capabilities but only peer to peer, you cannot join a domain with Home. Stuart

I agree with Stuart. XP Pro is oriented towards an office environment. Even if you later decide to build a local LAN, XP Home works perfectly fine.

Stuart and Aegis got it right. Just be sure to purchase the Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition UPGRADE with SP2 -- provided that you own an installation CD from Windows 98 forward. This version will allow you the right to transfer the OS to any PC you own, one at a time. . . about $100 US. The OEM version will lock you into the first PC on which it is installed. . . about $90 US

Thanx for all the good info. Even tho XP Pro is a so-called "superset" of XP Home, it still seems to be somewhat easier/more efficient to operate. Maybe it's my imagination. Anyway, Itguru's web site address was very helpful Thanxs again.