Buying New XP

[Peli]

I'm about to buy a new Windows XP and I have a few questions:

1) Which XP version should I get? Home or Professional? And what's the difference? (Because Home is like $90 and Professional is like $140 at Newegg)

2) Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3?

2) Is there a specific one on Newegg that I should get based on recommendations and just the obvious choice?

Something like... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116515

It's XP Professional SP 3 $140

Thanks in advance.

[Alaron]

Here is a comparison of Home and Pro. Most users are fine with Home. http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...p_home_pro.asp

You can always download service packs later, so it doesn't matter too much which you buy. Unless you're not on highspeed.

[Peli]

Thanks Alaron! Great find, but what does this mean?:

"Multi-processor support - Windows XP Pro supports up to two microprocessors, while Home Edition supports only one."

Can XP Home support Dual Core?

[12twelve12]

It didn't say two cores, but rather two microprosessors. So my guess would be that Pro, not Home, can be used with motherboards that support two cpu's. Like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813151048

XP Home supports Dual Core.

[Peli]

Okay, thanks for clearing that up.

So what do you think of this then? I'm probably going to buy it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116056

[12twelve12]

That would be the one to get if you want XP Home. Some would say it's worth the extra $5 to get the SP3 version to save some time in downloading a bunch of updates from the Microsoft site but that's obviously up to the buyer.