What is the difference between Windows XP home, pro and media center? and which one is better?

My .02:

Xp Home - Can't do multiple monitors
- can only hook up to 5 computers (I believe)
-Can't log into a Domain.

Pro - can do multiple monitors and connect to more pcs and domains...

Xp Media edition ---> has some vanillia video and audio apps in it,
-makes it a bit easier for some to hook up and use with a TV set.

[This message has been edited by FieroRumor (edited 02-06-2006).]

quote Originally posted by FieroRumor: Xp Home - Can't do multiple monitors

Sure it can. I have two monitors hooked up to my XP Home box. (one video card two monitors)

Home dosent have IIS so you cant share files with native FTP or WEB services.
Pro does that.

There is a limit to the number of people that can open resources at one time on a XP Home box

quote Originally posted by manofiero: and which one is better?

Depends entirely on what you want to use your computer for... Professional has bells and whistles that are great only if you use them. If you don't, then you just wasted your money because a newer, better, faster (yea, I laughing too) flavor of Windows will always be just around the corner. If all you do is surf the net, email, etc - get the Home Edition and put some money back in your pocket.

Cool, thanks guys, so, would home be fine for someone that does alot of gaming? cuz thats about all I ever do lol.

Yeah, XP Home should be fine for gaming.

Unless you're able to get the upgrade for free... *cough cough* ... then you might as well get Pro

I *might* be getting a copy *free* lol. Just call me blackbeard

I've got Pro on my desktop and Media Center on this laptop. The Pro let's you use IIS, which isn't working for me anyways (issues with frontpage 2002). I'd rather have Pro because I know that I will eventually use the additional features, and I don't want to be stuck having to upgrade. The Media Center Edition isn't sold individually because it is only compatible with certain hardware setups. I have it here on my laptop, its handy as a TiVo service, it can download up to 2 weeks worth of TV listings and it will record your favorite programs and stuff. That's all I've used it for, but its not very good on a laptop since the HD space is a big limiter, each 30 minutes of TV recording is like 1 GB, I only have a 60 GB HD, so I can easily run out. Right now on my desktop I have maybe 50 GB free total out of 320 GB, and I could fill that up in a week if I wanted.

I think that Pro is best, but if you do nothing but surf and e-mail its overkill, just go for home in that case. To get media center edition you have to get it on a retail system like from Compaq, HP, Toshiba, etc. I think Media Center is developed off of Home?

------------------
I am the signature virus, please put me in your signature so I can spread

For the latest Fiero apparel and accessories, please visit F-I-E-R-O's online store Fiero Lives Online