MS XP OEM or retail version

[roz.ronly]

My PC crashed recently and I have decided to buy a current version of XP Pro or XP Home. However, I am being bombarded with totally opposing information. i.e. avoid OEM versions as you get no support from MS. Yes you do get all the same backup as with a retail version. It's not worth the extra money to buy retail. XP Pro and XP Home are the same. No it's not, XP Pro is faster and superior. Basically, the Retail version is not worth the extra money over OEM versions and ditto XP Pro over XP Home.

Please can I have some facts from those who really know and opinions from those who have used both.

Thanks
Baffled

[vehelpfulguy]

I think XP Pro and XP Home ARE basically the same product and I doubt you will see much (if any) difference in performance.

XP Pro has some extra goodies for working in a business envionment (what Microsoft call a "managed" environment) but the average home user will not need these.

You say the OEM version is not supported by Microsoft but how often have you needed to contact them for support. I never have.

There are so many forums and user groups you can always find an answer somewhere.

With the OEM version you can still download all the lastest fixes and so on so you are not exactly left high and dry.

If you are a home user who does not expect to connect into a business network (if you work for a large company for example) you wil be fine with the XP OEM Home version.

[rojash]

If you wish to remotely manage the machine, network more than 5 together or connect to a domain, then you need Pro, otherwise Home is fine. There is ABSOLUTELy no performance difference.

Buy an OEM version from local REPUTABLE shop (they can legally sell you the OEM version as long as you are buying hardware - most shops regard any item of hardware (eg mouse, keyboard, even a new mains lead) as qualifying.

As VHG says "how often have you needed to contact them for support"?

[fo3nix]

Also note that if you have a dual processor machine you'll need XP Pro. But you probably don't. And I'd also suggest getting XP Home OEM.

[roz.ronly]

Thankyou so much, I appreciate the response.

No longer baffled