It's (xp-pro) a more robust version of the home edition. It's like comparing a basic, slightly limited O.S. w/ a few admin. options, w/ one that's completely editable and more stable as well as reliable. The core engines between the two are different (not the platform).

Far as I know, the Pro versions of the OS's(2000/XP) are recommended for those who like to do more playing around with their computers. For emailing Aunt Milly and takin' another chance, on EBay, one doesn't need them. For those of us who like to "fool" with our computers, themselves(Tweak/modify, etc.), the Pro versions should be a bit easier to fool with and likely alot easier to get into trouble with by changing settings of which you know nothing(Half the fun!)... In any event, if you "wanna play" - go Pro...... Probably best for those doing any "serious" or semi-serious, computer work.

BTW: As I've never bothered to fool with(Or try to fool with) a "home" version of either OS, I really don't know...... I just bought the Pro version to sooth my ever-aching vanity......

TG

awerwe wrote: I've heard a lot of people mention that they are running xp pro, and I was just wondering why it seems to be preferred amongst many of you... thanks!

due to lack of education, or being fooled by the word "PRO"

for audio there is NO differance unless you want to remote desktop your daw with another computer, Pro makes it a little easier.

"PRO" is designed for Corporate environments.

you have to have it to log onto a domain controller

which means squat for pro audio,
where it would matter would be in schools, Govt Etc where if you needed internet access. and of course a DAW technically should not be on the internet.

FYI a standard internet connection there is NO security improvements either.

Scott
ADK

Hello,

there is no good reason to buy XP PRO for audio. The only
time you want to buy PRO is when you need more advanced
networking features than what Home has to offer.

XP Home and PRO are based on the same code and equally
stable.

Another reason to buy PRO is when you have a dual socket
system board.

To run dual core, XP Home is sufficient.

Save your money and buy the home edition.

Best regards,

Guy Cefalu
Sonica Audio Labs

SONICA-X wrote: there is no good reason to buy XP PRO for audio. The only time you want to buy PRO is when you need more advanced networking features than what Home has to offer.

XP Home and PRO are based on the same code and equally stable.

Another reason to buy PRO is when you have a dual socket system board.

'zactly. I started off with HOME on my DAW. Worked fine. I got XP Pro for next to nothing, so I put it on my DAW and moved my HOME license to my kids' computer - just 'cuz I couldn't deal with them using XP Pro and me using XP Home - an EGO thing and nothing more.

"Upgrading" made no difference in DAW performance. It's the same OS - just a few different options.

I had to go XP Pro for my DAWs because of networking issues at the radio station. I need to distribute final mixes to other servers for over-the-air use. XP Pro SP2 has been stable for me, but I'm not pushing the performance envelope.

I agree with Guy (SONCA-X). Go XP Home if you can. One other thing is that XP Home has less background tasks running which consume less CPU and memory resources, if memory serves me correctly.

Here's a little more info that'll help for consideration of a future O.S. upgrade. This came straight from the source: [list]Q. Why is there no Home x64 Edition of Windows XP? Who should buy Windows XP Professional X64 Edition?
A. These are closely related questions. The initial target audience for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is anyone who is running into performance and memory limits on their 32-bit systems, for example, developers, media artists, CAD/CAM, scientific workstations and enthusiasts who are running the most demanding applications, and who require the capabilities of the Professional Edition of Windows XP. Windows XP Home Edition is targeted at the home user and has fewer features. At this point, especially with the current limited driver support, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is not targeted at the casual home user.class="xf-ul">

Furthermore, if you have plans on using any of the latest processors (AMD's amd64 or Intel's EM64T), Microsoft will allow you to download a FREE trial of the XP Pro x64 OS (for 4 months). Here's another quote from Microsoft: [list]Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is a near feature-complete version of Windows XP Professional that runs on x64 processors. Windows XP Professional x64 Edition supports 128 GB of RAM and 16 terabytes of virtual memory address space, as compared to 4 GB of both physical RAM and virtual memory address space for 32-bit Windows XP Professional.class="xf-ul"> [list]Running 64-bit and 32-bit applications side-by-side: With Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, you can run both 64-bit and 32-bit applications side by side. Your existing 32-bit applications run in WOW64, while the 64-bit applications run natively. This makes it easy to transition to 64-bit applications at your pace—only moving when you're ready. You can even run 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the same application in Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, allowing you to evaluate the new version of an existing application and transition at a controlled pace.
class="xf-ul">

dabmeister music wrote: [list]Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is a near feature-complete version of Windows XP Professional class="xf-ul">

Yep. They have not yet come around adding all the bugs. Sorry they are called features. 8) Sadly enough they have not come around to remove all of the known bugs either.

You may be in luck, you may not, but do not run real projects on x64 unless you are prepared to handle the stops. That is for right now. In due time things will probably change. I hate having to explain to a client that: "Sorry, but I switched to a new unsupported OS and have a few problems right now".

G.

In a case where you're the type that has to have the latest in cutting edge technology, I'd put together a beta workstation and try some of this new 64-bit stuff. That way you'll have the best of both worlds and it won't conflict w/ any present projects & etc. Also you'll have a little advantage by growing with the technology (while it's still in its infant stage) as it advances. 8)

ghellquist wrote: [quote=dabmeister music] [list]Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is a near feature-complete version of Windows XP Professional class="xf-ul">

Yep. They have not yet come around adding all the bugs. Sorry they are called features. 8) Sadly enough they have not come around to remove all of the known bugs either.

You may be in luck, you may not, but do not run real projects on x64 unless you are prepared to handle the stops. That is for right now. In due time things will probably change. I hate having to explain to a client that: "Sorry, but I switched to a new unsupported OS and have a few problems right now".

G.

In addition, first you should check if there are drivers for your devices for XP 64bit, otherwise your hardware wont work.
I haven't found so many drivers for xp 64 up until now....

I found this from a website, hope it helps!

1-XP Pro systems can join a domain; XP Home systems can't, which limits its use to home and SOHO environments because it can't use any corporate-specific features such as IntelliMirror.

12- You can upgrade Windows NT 4.0 Workstation and Win2K Professional only to XP Pro. You can upgrade Windows 9x versions since Windows 98 only to XP Home. Neither version supports upgrades from Windows 95.

some errors with those statements and it looks like it came from the same link posted earlier.

but first let me point out that none of whats listed means squat for a pro audio environment.

the only exception is #4 where if you wanted to use your laptop to control your main daw whilst in your recording room/vocal booth.

#6 is completely false. we do sysprep and remote install every day

#9 SNMP: now that dual core procs are out is null, Simple TCP/IP is in Home.

#10 is partly incorrect, file level security permissions are a part of NTFS and have nothing to do with home/pro/

Scott
ADK

ADK audio wrote: some errors with those statements and it looks like it came from the same link posted earlier.

What link posted earlier?

but first let me point out that none of whats listed means squat for a pro audio environment.

I believe this is slightly incorrect. XP home doesnt support multiple CPU's whereas PRO does, so right there can be a BIG advantage if you run XP Pro instead of home edition. Yeah home has HT support but bench that to a PC with multiple CPU's is no comparison.

I sometimes consider XP home to be Win98 with a nice cutting edge GUI :D

Hey Nice,

as to the link... must have been another forum. opps.

XP home supports dual core processors 100% which is indeed 2 CPUs.
it does not support dual socket CPU.

there is differance.

thanks
scott

So in other words, you're saying XP home will support Intels "EXTREME EDITION" processor? Is'nt this dual core technology? 64 bit and all?

yes it will support it.

there are 2 extreme edition chips one a single core 3.73 1066 fsb the other dual core 3.2G
both are supported. with the dual core home would then theretically see 4 CPUs, for what little to no value there is in Hyper threading.

Scott
ADK