- home
- reviews
- news
- downloads
- cnet tv
On CHOW: Why does asparagus make your pee smell?
- log in
- join CNET
- welcome,
- my profile
- log out

Windows XP Professional Edition comparison

Add to my list
Print
E-mail
Share

Features
Remove from comparison	Remove	Remove	Remove	Remove	Remove
Product name	Windows XP Professional Edition	Windows XP Home Edition	Microsoft Windows 7 (Professional)	Windows Vista Ultimate	Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Price	$99.91 to $145.98	$79.99 to $89.12	$159.95 to $299.99	$135.99 to $408.84	$85.10 to $249.99
CNET editors' rating	4.0 stars Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)	4.0 stars Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)	4.5 stars Overall score: 9.0 (4.5 stars)	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)	3.5 stars Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
Average user rating	3.0 stars	2.5 stars	3.5 stars	2.0 stars	2.5 stars
Release date			October 22, 2009	January 30, 2007	August 06, 2004
The Bottom Line	Windows Professional boasts serious corporate administration tools--it's a trustworthy upgrade from Windows 2000.	XP is a worthwhile upgrade from 95/98 or Windows 2000. Unless you need corporate administration tools, XP Home Edition should suffice for most--even for small businesses.	Windows 7 is more than what Vista should have been, it's where Microsoft needed to go. How much damage Vista did and whether Windows 7 is enough for people to finally abandon Windows XP are questions that nobody has the answers to right now.	Windows Vista is essentially warmed-over Windows XP. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista is stable enough for everyday use.	We recommend installing Windows XP SP2 but only after Microsoft has had a few weeks to work out the kinks.
Similar Products	Compare more products	Compare more products	Compare more products	Compare more products	Compare more products
License Qty	1 user	1 user	1 PC	1 PC	1 user
Localization	Info unavailable	Canada United States	Info unavailable	Info unavailable	Info unavailable
Language(s)	English	English	English	English	English
License Type	Complete package	Complete package	Complete package	Complete package	Complete package
Product Description	Microsoft Windows XP Professional - Complete package	Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition - Complete package	Microsoft Windows 7 Professional - Complete package	Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate - Complete package	Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition w/SP2 - Complete package
Media	CD-ROM	CD-ROM	DVD-ROM	DVD-ROM	CD-ROM
License Pricing	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard
Operating System	Microsoft Windows XP Professional	Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition	Microsoft Windows 7 Professional - 64-bit	Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate	Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2
Package Type	Retail	Retail	Retail	Retail	Retail
Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications	Full specifications
Buying choices	Royal Discount $108.99 In stock: Yes VioSoftware Inc. $145.98 In stock: Yes Prices from 2 CNET Certified stores	Royal Discount $89.12 In stock: Yes Price from 1 CNET Certified store	Amazon.com $277.49 In stock: Yes B&H Photo-Video $294.95 In stock: Yes TigerDirect.com $299.99 In stock: Yes Prices from 15 CNET Certified stores	Royal Discount $190.63 In stock: Yes Discount Mountain $168.65 In stock: Yes VioSoftware Inc. $216.98 In stock: Yes Prices from 4 CNET Certified stores	Royal Discount $85.10 In stock: Yes NothingButSoftware.com $249.99 In stock: Yes Prices from 2 CNET Certified stores
Remove from comparison	Remove	Remove	Remove	Remove	Remove