Win 7 HP vs Pro

[Sgooter]

My notebook PC (using Win XP) is on a home network and I can get Win7 Pro at the student discount price. I've looked at the comparison chart for the different versions of Win7, and it appears that Win7 Pro simply adds features to Win7 Home Premium. Win7 Pro seems like overkill for my student needs on a home network. So, I'm looking for the real truth here versus the sales brochures: Will I notice any less or missing features on Win7 Pro compared to using Win7 Home Premium?

 

[Tews]

This is a comparison list of features between the Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions.

Compare Windows 7 Editions

 

[Barman58]

Personally, I would suggest it depends on how you intend to use your PC

the additional "extras" in pro are usefull if you tend to tweak your system (GP editor is a lot easier to use than Regedit).

The major advantage is of course XPmode as you are coming from XP and you more than likely have a lot invested in XP applications, you may find some (though not Many) applications will only be usable in XP

Personally as I do not actually have to pay for my OS I went with pro over either HP or ultimate as the feature set met my needs, and is more used by clients.

Only you can decide but I would lean towards pro unless the cost difference is great

 

[ken9122]

To me the main feature Pro offers over Home is to be able to backup over a network.

Ken

 

[PeteC]

Outside of the XP compatibility mode, I see no compelling reason to choose Win 7 Pro over Home. In fact, none of the apps that I use (on win 7 Home 64 bit) have any problem running on 32 bit compatibility mode, but some older printers and such may be easier to configure through the Win XP mode...as always, "Your mileage may vary!"

Actually, as much as I like Win 7, if I were using a notebook from Win XP vintage, I probably would not bother spending any money to upgrade it to Win 7. This notebook that I am posting from, was Vista-pre-installed, and although I very much like Win 7, outside of curiosity, there was no real burning need ot have spent the money upgrading the OS...it ran perfectly fine with Vista.

 

[pparks1]

Sounds like staying on HP is the right move.

 

[Darician]

Really depends if you can get Pro for cheaper or not. As a student, I know they sell it pretty cheap and if you can get it at a decent price, go for it. The main difference for me is XP Mode and the fact that in Pro, you can join a domain whereas in Home Premium, you can't.

 

[Mellon Head]

There isn't a lot of justification to going for Pro unless you need to back up to a network device, or need XP mode. If you still have a valid XP install on the laptop, you can always dual boot with HP. That's what my wife does.

 

[KazeNoKoe23]

Ask yourself these questions.

1. Do I need the ability to back up over a network?
2. Do I need Windows XP Mode for older applications or hardware that is incompatible with Windows 7?

If your answer is "no" to either one of these, then you probably don't need the Professional edition. Hope this helps.

 

[pparks1]

Ask yourself these questions.

1. Do I need the ability to back up over a network?
2. Do I need Windows XP Mode for older applications or hardware that is incompatible with Windows 7?

If your answer is "no" to either one of these, then you probably don't need the Professional edition. Hope this helps.

And you could also include

3). Do i need to be able to connect to a Windows domain?
4). Do I need the ability to remote desktop into the machine?
5). Will I ever have a need to use the group policy editor

 

[KazeNoKoe23]

Ask yourself these questions.

1. Do I need the ability to back up over a network?
2. Do I need Windows XP Mode for older applications or hardware that is incompatible with Windows 7?

If your answer is "no" to either one of these, then you probably don't need the Professional edition. Hope this helps.

And you could also include

3). Do i need to be able to connect to a Windows domain?
4). Do I need the ability to remote desktop into the machine?
5). Will I ever have a need to use the group policy editor

Good additions.

 

[DeaconFrost]

So, I'm looking for the real truth here versus the sales brochures: Will I notice any less or missing features on Win7 Pro compared to using Win7 Home Premium?

The real truth? Okay, here goes: How in the world would we know?

Sorry if that sound harsh, but it is the real truth. No one else knows exactly what you need to do with your computer, and how you plan to use it. Aside from directing you to the comparison charts, no one else will be able to answer this for you. That's like having us choose what you will have for dinner. We don't know your likes or dislikes, or any food allergies you may have.

I would also add budget to what we don't know, but it sounds like that isn't a concern here. Just read over the features, decide what you need or don't need, and you'll have your decision.

 

[Sgooter]

All of your responses have been very helpful.
For performance and features, it sounds like it's pretty much a toss up to go with either Win7HP or Pro, since I'm on a simple home network environment. The HP version costs 4 times more than the student-discounted Pro version, so the choice is Pro.
Thanks much to all.

 

[amber]

Hi pparks1 - I see you are knowledgeable... can you answer one thing for me? Is Adobe CS4 compatible with Windows 7 Home Premium edition? I have a new HP G62 (64-bit) notebook and have been offered a great cost on CS4 Design Premium (sadly can't afford CS5) but have read so much conflicting info. Am I'm right in thinking that only the Win7 Ultimate edition is good to load CS4... ?? your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Barman58]

I have had CS4 extended running on Vista HP and win7 pro without issues but cannot speak with experience on CS4 Design Premium.

Unless the memory requirements are more than win7 HP can handle (12GB IIRC), then there should not be any reason for the software not to run. There is nothing in ultimate that I know of that would make a difference

 

[KazeNoKoe23]

Hi pparks1 - I see you are knowledgeable... can you answer one thing for me? Is Adobe CS4 compatible with Windows 7 Home Premium edition? I have a new HP G62 (64-bit) notebook and have been offered a great cost on CS4 Design Premium (sadly can't afford CS5) but have read so much conflicting info. Am I'm right in thinking that only the Win7 Ultimate edition is good to load CS4... ?? your advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Any part of the Adobe CS4 suite is fully compatible with Windows 7 Home Premium, 32 or 64-bit.

Adobe Creative Suite 5 Design Premium: System requirements

There is a list of requirements for CS5. Since you said CS4, the requirements should be at or somewhat below what is listed here.

Adobe - Creative Suite 4 Family: FAQ

This link also has an FAQ which includes info regarding CS4 and Windows 7 compatibility. They mention it's fully compatible but it may be worth a look anyway.

 

[amber]

Thanks guys - much appreciated