windows 7 home or pro version?

ukphd · 28 Oct 2010

Hi

I'm about to get a new laptop which will be used for work and home stuff - photography, video editing, GIS modelling, stats stuff and the usual office software.

I'm umming and erring about whether to go for windows 7 home or pro version (an extra £50 for the latter). The only real difference I can see that would benefit me is the ability of the pro version to run xp applications...

but I'm worried I've maybe misunderstood or something so wondered if anyone has any opinions/advice

thanks

neil_g · 28 Oct 2010

pretty mcuh..

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/compare/default.aspx

ukphd · 28 Oct 2010

neil_g said:
pretty mcuh..

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/compare/default.aspx

Yes I'd seen the comparisons - glad I didn't miss something but I'm wondering whether it's worth the £50 for that function? How many applications really aren't compatible with windows 7?

neil_g · 28 Oct 2010

im yet to find an xp program that doesnt run on w7 without XP mode on..

ukphd · 28 Oct 2010

neil_g said:
im yet to find an xp program that doesnt run on w7 without XP mode on..

Excellent - that's helpful, so I can probably save my pennies then?

Islander · 28 Oct 2010

The main reason for the pro version is to differentiate on price for businesses that run AD.

ukphd · 28 Oct 2010

Islander said:
The main reason for the pro version is to differentiate on price for businesses that run AD.

sorry, what's AD? :thinking:

chazza · 28 Oct 2010

Sorry to hi-jack your thread, but similarly, I am running vista at the moment and got a free windows 7 download disc with a new printer I bought. Is it worth downloading the disc or am I going to cause no end of problems?

neil_g · 28 Oct 2010

ukphd said:
sorry, what's AD?

in laymans terms basically a network that requires a logon server (mostly businesses)

ukphd · 28 Oct 2010

neil_g said:
in laymans terms basically a network that requires a logon server (mostly businesses)

Ah ok. I don't think I need that as I have an office computer I can use on the network.

so probably not worth going for pro then?

menthel · 28 Oct 2010

Home 64bit. The extras in pro really are for buisness users or extreme network geeks.

ukphd · 28 Oct 2010

menthel said:
Home 64bit. The extras in pro really are for buisness users or extreme network geeks.

Thanks

neil_g · 28 Oct 2010

menthel said:
Home 64bit. The extras in pro really are for buisness users or extreme network geeks.

ive never concidered running a domain at home... honest..

menthel · 28 Oct 2010

neil_g said:
ive never concidered running a domain at home... honest..

I am not sure I believe you...

(says the man with pro on his desktop...)

neil_g · 28 Oct 2010

menthel said:
I am not sure I believe you...

(says the man with pro on his desktop...)

*cough*ultimate*cough*

:geek:

menthel · 28 Oct 2010

neil_g said:
*cough*ultimate*cough*

I am not sure that is actually better!

neil_g · 28 Oct 2010

menthel said:
I am not sure that is actually better!

you're probably right but i had access to the licences..

Islander · 28 Oct 2010

neil_g said:
*cough*ultimate*cough*

Did you actually *pay* for Ultimate? :lol:

Truecrypt is free and far more trustworthy than Bitlocker

Islander · 28 Oct 2010

menthel said:
I am not sure I believe you...

(says the man with pro on his desktop...)

Oh I definitely dont believe him

I also have Pro but then I got it for £30 under the MS student deal - the Home edition was the same price

I also got Office 2007 Ultimate for £35

neil_g · 28 Oct 2010

Islander said:
Did you actually *pay* for Ultimate?

nope.. but not illegal copies either

Islander · 28 Oct 2010

neil_g said:
nope.. but not illegal copies either

Having a rough idea of what you do for a living I didn't think they were

gman · 28 Oct 2010

neil_g said:
copies

being the operative word... :naughty:

ChrisH · 28 Oct 2010

I've been impressed with 7 Home premium 64 bit. It runs everything I need including my CCTV software that wouldn't run under Vista Ultimate 64bit.

I recommend 7 to everyone that asks now. Sadly I now have a £150 Microsoft coffee coaster that was Vista.

neil_g · 28 Oct 2010

gman said:
being the operative word...

DVD-R's yeah.... but from genuine downloaded MS ISO's

ukphd · 29 Oct 2010

ChrisH said:
I've been impressed with 7 Home premium 64 bit. It runs everything I need including my CCTV software that wouldn't run under Vista Ultimate 64bit.

I recommend 7 to everyone that asks now. Sadly I now have a £150 Microsoft coffee coaster that was Vista.

Thanks