Is Windows 7 Pro worth the 30% higher cost?

[joydivision]

I need to purchase a 64-bit version of windows and not sure if I should go with the home or professional version.

Apart from the obvious permission changes and the fact you can use it with MS Server, the only other advantage I can see is the XP Mode.

However I won't be using the PC on a domain, it will only be used in a workgroup so the usual Pro stuff is not relevant for me, but I wonder if the XP mode makes it worth the extra cost?
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If I am testing or developing my parents system is still on XP so I can use that, I have a couple of ancient machines in the lockup with XP COAs on, but it would be neat to have XP on a virtual machine.

So would you pay £30 extra for the Pro edition? Is there any disadvantages of it?

My PC is costing me a small fortune but I just wonder if I would regret not buying the pro version?

BTW I am currently using 32-BIT VISTA Home and I don't miss any of the pro features.

 

[mobomojo]

Install pro and then decide. You can use it for 30 days before it must be actvated, so try it and see if you use the extra features. I've got 6 days left on ultimate right now. I've not needed any of the extra features it has.

 

[strollin]

If you have a spare copy of XP with license you can pretty much duplicate XP mode on Win 7 HP using VirtualBox or VMWare Player. The major advantage to XP mode in Win 7 Pro is that it includes a fully licensed copy of XP.

 

[HubCityPC]

Besides the already mentioned extras in Pro and Ultimate, you also get Bitlocker and RDP. If you have a need, Bitlocker can easily be replaced by Truecrypt. I have used Bitlocker a few times to encrypt a few thumb drives and it works well. And we're all aware of the many remote access programs out there that can sorta replace RDP but I, personally, really like RDP.

 

[SmithFamilyDesigns]

If you have a spare copy of XP with license you can pretty much duplicate XP mode on Win 7 HP using VirtualBox or VMWare Player. The major advantage to XP mode in Win 7 Pro is that it includes a fully licensed copy of XP.

Just as a heads up, but you can now get XP mode for HP. I don't have the link, but just go to the XP mode download site and you can now download it.

XP mode also allows for programs to be launched with a single click rather than booting the VM and then launching the program.

 

[pcmedic]

My main reason for upgrading to pro was for remote desktop. I don't know why all the versions don't come with this.

 

[strollin]

It's the way MS differentiates the different versions. If you want this or that feature, pay more $$$ to get the version with that version.

 

[FoolishTech]

I've never personally seen XP Mode used by any of my clients...

In fact I've never used it myself and the only item I've ever had the need to use it for, well I just run that in Virtualbox b/c that's what I prefer to use... Seems like I saw an article somewhere on how to hack XP Mode to use VB but never looked into it, b/c I access my VB session via RDP from other PCs anyway.

 

[DCGPX]

Never seen anyone use it either. I use it personally to play Creatures but that's it. Bought Pro purely because I got it as a pre-release nicely priced. Never used the so called extras myself and can't see why anyone would have an urgent need for them


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- www.tornadopc.com

 

[strollin]

Just as a heads up, but you can now get XP mode for HP. I don't have the link, but just go to the XP mode download site and you can now download it. ...

I just downloaded XP Mode on a machine running Win 7 HP and tried it. First, in order to download it, I had to lie and say I had Pro or Ultimate. After download I was able to install it, but when I tried to actually run it I got an error message saying that XP Mode is not available on this version of Win 7 and given the opportunity to upgrade. I'm sure there's a hack somewhere to make it work but I don't care to look for it.

 

[SmithFamilyDesigns]

I just downloaded XP Mode on a machine running Win 7 HP and tried it. First, in order to download it, I had to lie and say I had Pro or Ultimate. After download I was able to install it, but when I tried to actually run it I got an error message saying that XP Mode is not available on this version of Win 7 and given the opportunity to upgrade. I'm sure there's a hack somewhere to make it work but I don't care to look for it.

Wow, I must retract my statement. A few months ago, I downloaded XP mode on 7 HP x86, installed and ran with no problems. Went and looked at the download now, and it shows that it is only Pro, Ent and Ult editions again.

My apologies, should've double checked before posting that.

 

[DCGPX]

Glad for that. TN isn't about finding hacks, if you need it let's stay legit


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- www.tornadopc.com

 

[glricht]

I guess most people don't use XP Mode, but I've got two customers (one business and one residential) that use it every day. In both cases, they've got software that needs XP to run correctly and not having XP Mode would have been a real hardship.

 

[jft135]

I always lean towards pro licenses since it always seems that there is that one feature that I really need and isn't included in Home Edition. All my office PC's are still on XP though since I can't stand Vista or 7.

 

[strollin]

Most people don't realize that having XP mode is like running 2 computers and they really need to install an AV on the VM, install updates, defrag, etc... just as if it was a separate computer.

I use VMs a lot in my main job as a software engineer but don't have a huge need for XP mode. I mostly have it installed so I can speak intelligently about it if asked. Personally, I prefer VMWare or VirtualBox or MS Virtual PC anyway.

I see lots of misinformation on various forums regarding XP Mode. On one forum a person was recommending everyone buy Win 7 Pro so they could have XP Mode to be able to run 32-bit apps on Win 7. I tried in vain to explain that XP Mode didn't have anything to do with providing 32-bit compatibility but he insisted, saying it worked for him! He wasn't even talking about running it on 64-bit Win 7 he was recommending it for 32-bit Win 7!

 

[Galdorf]

it is if you want to use more memory Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit has a memory limit of 16GB, Professional and Ultimate have 192GB.

 

[Doug]

It would seem from what you have told us, that buying Professional wouldn't be worth the cost. There are numerous reasons as to why...

1. If you needed to emulate Windows XP for some reason, you could download a freeware program known as "Oracle VirtualBox" it works wonders. You insert the Windows XP .iso into the program, and create a virtual hard disk, and allocate RAM to it. It emulates Windows XP, while still being on your current operating system. This program can be used on Linux, as well as Windows if you were wondering.

2. In about a year and a half, Windows 8 will be releasing. (Self-explanatory)

I would recommend you buy Windows 7 Home Premium, as it contains everything you'd need based on information from your first post.

 

[NETWizz]

Um... didn't know about the memory limit.

That said, the big difference is in joining a domain. Home Premium won't... Professional/Ultimate/Enterprise WILL.

 

[MobileTechie]

Unless you need to join a domain then I don't think it's really worth it.

I can't see many reasons to require 192GB of RAM, or many mobos that would take it anyway.

 

[glricht]

I've never personally seen XP Mode used by any of my clients...

Most of my customers don't use it either, but I have one customer where XP Mode was a lifesaver. He does a lot of graphics and animation work and uses some really high-priced software. His XP machine finally bit the dust and to upgrade the software to support Win 7 was going to cost $4000+ Installed Win 7 Ult and XP Mode to run the graphics s/w and it works great!