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Tom's Hardware > Forum > Windows XP > General Discussion > Which OS is the best and why?

Which OS is the best and why?

Forum Windows XP : General Discussion Which OS is the best and why?

I want to put an OS in my new computer and I was wondering which is the best operating system in the market and why? What is the difference between Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Pro?

Thanks!

Reply to pitupepito

The best Microsoft operating system on the market for a home desktop computer is Windows XP Professional. It may not necessarily be the best operating system, overall. Many Linux advocates and Mac users (who are currently eagerly anticipating OS X v10.2), I'm sure would be quick to point out XP's various shortcomings.

Why is it the best MS operating system?

In a word ... stability. Some of the reasons for that can be found in this <A HREF="http://www.extremetech.com/print_article/0,3428,a=2473,00.asp" target="_new">article</A>.

Dfferences between Home Edition and Professional:

<A HREF="http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp" target="_new">Windows XP Home Edition vs. Professional Edition: What's the difference?</A>

<A HREF="http://www.activewin.com/winxp/" target="_new">Windows XP Content</A>

Toejam31

First Rig: <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=17935" target="_new">Toejam31's Devastating Dalek Destroyer</A>
Second Rig: <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=15942" target="_new">Toey's Dynamite DDR Duron</A>
__________________________________________________________

"Some push the envelope. Some just lick it. And some can't find the flap."

Reply to Toejam31

xp pro is the best, there is very little difference between home and pro, and probably nothing that you would utilize. one things for sure though...DONT PAY FOR IT!!!
if you were planning on paying for it, you can thank me for setting you straight, if you would like win xp pro (and many other programs) for free, contact me at leemspencer@mindspring.com
its so so easy, win xp pro corporate edition dosnt require you to register, so all i do is send u a disc, with the cd key and you install like normal!

The first LAN party I went to was at a PETA convention. They booted me when I shot a crab in HL!

Reply to Willamette_sucks

WilSuxX -> ???

Real men don't do backup...
...real men cry ALOT!

Linux RoxX

Reply to ZeuSueZ

willamette, the first p4 core

The first LAN party I went to was at a PETA convention. They booted me when I shot a crab in HL!

Reply to Willamette_sucks

Oddly, I find pro to be more stable than home. Seen it in several cases now....

My frog asked me for a straw...dunno what happened his ass all over the place :eek:

Reply to flamethrower205

I haven't seen much difference, myself ... but that's probably because I'm the one setting up the systems.

The stability of the OS, I would think, is likely to have less to do with the version, than items like the hardware configuration (which is everything from drivers to the airflow in the case), how well the operating system is set up and tweaked, what kind of maintenance is done on the system (disks scans, defragging, etc.) -- and, of course, the skill level of the user.

I've always believed that about 90% of the stability of most systems, regardless of the OS, has more to do with the user than anything else. Most of the time, a computer doesn't need repaired; the owner just needs to be brought up to speed.

On the other hand, the Professional version is definitely more powerful than Home, and it's theoretically possible that having more control over the OS allows for additional stability as the system is customized.

What kind of things have you seen that makes you feel that Pro is more stable, flame? Anything specific? I'd like to get a little further into this, if that's okay with you.

See ya!

Toey

First Rig: <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=17935" target="_new">Toejam31's Devastating Dalek Destroyer</A>
Second Rig: <A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?rigid=15942" target="_new">Toey's Dynamite DDR Duron</A>
__________________________________________________________

"Some push the envelope. Some just lick it. And some can't find the flap."

Reply to Toejam31

I was incredulous too, so I tried an experiment. 2 of my friends have the EXACT same system, so I installed Home edition on one and pro on the other (this was after a format, so it was like starting anew). Ok, w/ the home, it crashed after install. Then there were several stability issues w/ software I installed. Same software was fine on the pro. odd. Afterwards, I did a little driver messing; I messed around w/ the drivers easy cd creator uses, and lo and behold, the home edition wouldn't not run eme, even after I uninstalled and install proper XP ones. The pro was fine. It was stuff like this continuously that annoyed me. And btw, I make system rock solid, I know the ins and out of the os's. Finally after uninstalling stuff and such the home edition stopped crashing, while the pro was fine from the start. It's rather perplexing. Also, my pro takes a lot of abuse and hasn't crashed. Meanwhile, after the "test", my freind w/ the home took his home and deleted for no apparent reason a few key system files and then complained windows bitched. I almost slapped him lol.

My frog asked me for a straw...dunno what happened his ass all over the place :eek:

Reply to flamethrower205

When you go from win9x straight to NT professional, it's a *TOUGH* switch.

But, if you're a tweaker (everyone here sure as h3ll should be; this IS Tom's place...), Professional by default loads you up on options. My god, all msft really does is just lock professional to a bunch of settings, and repackages it as "Home".

But, if you've got the time to go out and buy XP, you've got the time to run a dual boot on you system whilist you figure out the engima.

Also, I would like to concur with my esteemed colleague ZeuSuez when I say...

Linux >> NT

C@lling it like I c it...

Reply to ejsmith2

is there a diff between xp pro and xp pro corporate? someone i know around here has a copy but has yet to install it....i was just wondering...

*** :cool: Duff Man says a lot of things, OH YEAH!!! :cool: ***

Reply to Tommunist

JEEZ LOUISE, Who says Windows XP Pro is better than Windows 2K Pro. I want to know how and why? Anyhow Win2K Pro is the best overall operating system that Microsoft has made.

I have WinXP Pro on my home machine because of my family. It's easy for them to use and I don't have to worry about someone using my expansion tools to destroy the computer. Now I admit that Win2K Pro is a little harder, but once you test the difference and how much more stable Win2K is you will definitely keep it. Just in case if you want make a dual boot of your machine. One Win2K Pro the other WinXP Pro and test them side by side. In the end you will see who is the definitely the bread winner in the Microsoft OS arena.

As for the question you asked about the difference between WinXP Pro and Corp. There is none. The only thing that is different is that activation is not needed in the Corp Ed.

My name may be Jesus, but don't go around asking for miracles.

Reply to jamdev12

what would be better for gaming?
winxp?
win2k?
win98?

should i dual boot? what is the simplest solution?

*** :cool: Duff Man says a lot of things, OH YEAH!!! :cool: ***

Reply to Tommunist

there would be very little difference in gaming performance between those os's, technically, yes, xp has more overhead than 2k or 98, and 2k has more overhead than 98 (se or not), but if you look at the benchmarks the differences are negligable.
2k is NOT better, or more stable than xp pro, xp pro, in my opinion, is better than 2k pro in every respect (not alot mind you), the only reason someone would choose 2k over xp is because of the UI, some people like xp some dont, i do.

The first LAN party I went to was at a PETA convention. They booted me when I shot a crab in HL!

Reply to Willamette_sucks

Here's how it looks under [HKLM/SOFTWARE/MICROSOFT/FRIKKINVERSION/OFTHIS/DAMOS]:

Windows 98se == Ms-dos 7.1
Windows Me == Ms-dos 7.2
Windows Nt 4.0 == Windows NT 4.0
Windows 2000 == Windows NT 5.0
Windows XP == Windows NT 5.1
Windows .NET == Windows NT 5.2

98 and Me are 16 bit OS's. Which means, at some point, the memory leaks force you to restart *OR* the os will take a gigantic sh*t, right on your head, and restart for you. (read: BSOD)

NT is the only 32bit OS out of that company. It still takes a gigantic sh*t on you, just not nearly as often.

Yes, it uses more memory. Yes, you can trim that memory down to a minimum if you're not using 50% of the crap mickey mouse services they install it with and you have no control over at install so you just have to deal with it and turn them off at the first chance you get. Yes, you should turn off all those mickey mouse services whether they use that much more memory or not 'cause there's probably some security hole in the source to let some login as "Netscape-hacks-suck-major-whale-cok"

The question here is, just how much memory does it use?

Well, I can't pull up my taskmanager right now, 'cause I'm not using any of those listed. But in the past, it averages out to around 42meg or just under. That's a fresh boot of NT 5.1.

Reply to ejsmith2

ej, is Windows .NET the former Blackcomb?

It's always the one thing you never suspected.

Reply to jlanka

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