Xp Mce Vs Xp Pro

For the longest time I have used Windows XP Pro. I love it and use it in conjunction with Linux and the duo have never failed me thusfar. I ordered my I6000d and its coming with Windows Media Center edition 2005. I have not worked with it yet. But i have heard it is mostly the same. What im wondering is, even though im sure im going to want to do a reformatting of the machine once i get it. Would it be better for me to just Load up XP Pro at the time? is there any noticable difference between the two besides There being a new "skin" effect?

please let me know what you think.

 

Hm. Well, it's tough to say. If you are really taking advantage of the features in XP Pro that are not present in XP Home (because MCE is XPH with multimedia enhancements), then install the XPP. Otherwise, I think MCE is pretty cool - just know that it is a resource hog, and unless you have a lot of RAM, it will lag.

 

If you have any MCE specific hardware such as a tuner or remote control don't count on it being easy to migrate to Win XP (home or pro).

 

Unless you are hooking your laptop to your tv, I'd say pro is the way to go. There is not much difference between pro and home especially for the home user. It is amazing they can get away with charging twice as much.

 

hey, sorry to hijack the thread but I was wondering the same as diamondragon16 also my laptop, zv6000, comes with an Athlon 64, is MCE 64bit or 32 is it worth getting MCE over XPP x64? My laptop comes with the HP remote and i plan on running alot of multimedia apps (gaming, DVD, editing etc) thanks.

 

xp mce is mostly for multimedia whilke pro is added on features like i guess u could say xp home 2.0

 

MCE is 32bit. XPP 64-bit is a waste of money - plus, you won't have any drivers for your hardware because HP doesn't support it.

I'd stay stick with Home unless you are networked all the time. Even then, you could still get by with Home.

 

I'd recommend going with XP Pro. MCE doesn't allow you to join a domain (without a "patch"). As Pwillie mentioned, MCE is generally and updated XP Home OS.

-Vb-

 

if XPP x64 is a waste of money and HP doesn't support it then is there a reason i've read so many people talk about how amazing the AMD 64b processors are? Why would HP make their laptops with an AMD 64b processor if they don't support/have drivers for hardware when using a 64b OS. I'm a n00b but i'd imagine that a 64b OS would be the most beneficial of any program of the 64b processor? If anyone could clearify this for me that would be great.

PS HP zv6000 AMD athlon 64 2.0GHz is what i have

edit: i am asking these questions because i get free software through university so thats why I am wondering if i should get XPP or XPP x64 or MCE to upgrade my XPH which come pre-installed (i just wanted to see all the gadgets in MCE.. really waiting for Vista... )

 

If you're looking to get a new OS, get XPP.

I have no idea why HP doesn't support it. Maybe they just don't feel like getting drivers or whatever.

64-bit processors do not run in 64-bit unless you're using an x64 OS. Even if you did get XPPx64 on your machine, it would be useless, because there are no 64-bit softwares (maybe a game but nothing signifigant).

 

Some statistical software (and I surmise mathematical, engeneering... software) already exist in 64-bit. I am told that some of them are way faster but they require both a 64-bit processor and a 64-bit OS, hence the need for XP Pro64 (assuming you want to stick with Windows).
College students usually do small projects where they would not see any difference, but some graduate students who run week-long jobs might see big speed improvements with 64-bits.

We all expect that more and more software will be 64-bit in the future for ALL types of program. We just don't know when the 64-bits software will hit the shelf for the typical home user

 

XP MCE is basically XP Home with the blue skin and a few others like Da Vinci. You also get the XP Plus Digital Media Edition which has those annoying dancers pop on screen whenever you play music, Party Mode which is a full screen WMP app that is great for parties and a bunch of more apps. I like the program.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/plus/dme/dmehome.asp

The main thing about XP MCE is the MCE app itself. Its an app within the OS that is everything multimedia. You press a button on your remote and the app pops up either full screen or partial depending on how you sized it. You can listen to online radio, browse through your photos, watch online video clips, watch tv, record tv shows, buy music, use MSN Messenger, watch DVD's all from a simple to use interface which is slick.

I built an XP MCE box earlier this year because I was always interested in it. I didnt use it much because I already had a different gaming machine plus a PVR from ReplayTv and then one from Comcast. I gave the box to my sis who is in college and she loves it. Its great for those who want a standalone tv media center box, students or folks who are really into multimedia viewing.