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    Inspiron E1405- XP Pro. vs. Media Center Ed.

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by SuitePhoenix, Jun 7, 2006.

  1. SuitePhoenix

    SuitePhoenix Newbie

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    Hi everyone!

    I'm going to be purchasing an e1405 for medical school (it was rec. by my school), and I need help choosing an OS.

    Through the school's Dell link, XP Pro. is the only option, but from the regular Dell page, I noticed there's also a Media Center Edition. What is the difference between the two?

    I'm not a gamer, but I will use it for movies and music (oh, and school related things as well... ^_^).

    I'd really appreciate any advice!
    After searching around, I think I'm going to get the glossy screen (it seems most people think it's better, right?)

    Thanks everyone!
     
    SuitePhoenix, Jun 7, 2006
    #1
  2. ringostar

    ringostar Notebook Enthusiast

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    The main additional features in XP Professional are related to networking and security.

    Things that can be done only in Pro:
    1. Connect to networks that are administered (domained networks)
    2. Remote desktop connections
    3. Encrypt the file system
    4. Supports more than one processor

    I probably missed some others, but these are the major ones. Main thing to keep in mind is if you have to connect to networks, XP Pro is the only way to go.
     
    ringostar, Jun 7, 2006
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  3. redglare

    redglare Notebook Guru

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    XP Pro supports more than 5 computers on a network
     
    redglare, Jun 7, 2006
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  4. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    MCE is basically Home but with the entertainment features. You get a nicer user interface to look at pictures, movies and things. If you see those commericials on TV where it shows the TV/PC that gives you the option to choose between what you want to do -- that is MCE.

    The core system is XP Home which the only difference between it and Pro is pretty much what Ringo said. Pro has more networking options that most home users will not use.
     
    Amber, Jun 7, 2006
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  5. NumLock

    NumLock Notebook Evangelist

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    So generally speaking an xp home can not connect to a corporate network? :D
     
    NumLock, Jun 7, 2006
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  6. bluskye

    bluskye Notebook Enthusiast

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    bluskye, Jun 7, 2006
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  7. SuitePhoenix

    SuitePhoenix Newbie

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    Oh, I see. So the reason why the school rec. Pro is because I'll be networked with the school (online lectures, powerpoint slides, etc.). That makes sense. So I really won't be missing out on anything that great with Media Center, right?

    Thanks for the helpful insight everyone! You all made my purchasing process a lot easier!
     
    SuitePhoenix, Jun 7, 2006
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  8. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    Actually, MCE is based on Pro, not Home. It is a superset, just like Tablet PC Edition. Regardless, you should consider MCE 2005 as just another version of XP. Home, Pro, and MCE all offer different features. As a student requiring access to your school's network, you should definitely use Pro.
     
    kegobeer, Jun 7, 2006
    #8