Windows 7 - Home vs Pro: any hidden differences?

Based on the feature comparison, I'm thinking I only need Home Premium and not Professional. But I also remember that at least in XP, when I used a computer running the Home version (I had Pro), I always ran into problems: default user=Owner, shared folders and printers not working, don't remember what else. Possibly problems that could have been fixed rather than real feature differences, I don't know. I just know I'd have been unhappy with XP Home.

So are there any stealth differences in 7 Home vs 7 Pro?

Checking the differences at the above link:

The biggest, domain join, I don't need. I've successfully fended it off up to now and figure I'm even less likely to need it now.

Location sensitive printing would be nice but isn't worth $80.

I have 1 CPU and 4GB RAM, and won't be getting more RAM until the price drops, and even then I won't pass 16GB for a long time.

I plan my own backups, so I don't need network backup. I have nothing sensitive enough to consider EFS. I don't care about offline files. I don't care about presentation mode. I already use VMware, so I don't need XP Mode.

Anything else?

Thanks,

Edward

I use ultimate x64.
Removes the need for "anytime upgrade".
I also have a system with HP, Pro and another desktop running ultimate x86. My laptop runs ultimate x64.
It's really what you think you need.

Using only HP, myself, I cannot give you any personal information, but I have read many threads about the subject. From all the posts that I have read, it appears that the official differences as noted in the charts are all inclusive. The other opinion that I have noticed is that most users feel that HP is all that is needed for their personal use. The few, who have opted for more than HP, like the bit locker feature. Unless, you are dealing with ultra sensitive material, this additional feature is really unnecessary.

That being said, the choice is totally subjective and there is very little guidance that can be given.

Good luck

in your case ,ill go for pro.
or better, ultimate

Why? As it appears Home Premium will be just fine. The Home version of Windows 7 is nothing like the lame version that was Windows XP Home.

then again it depends on the user, for me those extra stuff in ultimate and pros was useful to me,still might be different with others. just a thought

One significant feature missing in Home Premium is the Group policy editor. So if you like to tweak a lot, its a sort of handicap. Things you can easily do in Pro and upward versions, you'll need to figure out how to do that from the registry.

I agree with Bill -- Group Policy Editor I do miss from HP, but luckily I am the sole user of my laptop. But it can be very useful for those - esp. the Administrator - who share their machine.

Thanks. That's the key for me -- if the official list is all-inclusive, then I should be fine with HP.

Someone else mentioned the group policy editor. I've never figured out what to do with it and I'm normally the only user of my computer, so I probably don't need it. I'm a programmer, but I'm programming for other machines, not my own.

Thanks for all the replies!

Edward

glad you've made up your mind mate