Microsoft offers three different editions of the Windows XP Operating System:

1. Windows XP Home Edition (Home)
2. Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE)
3. Windows XP Professional Edition (Pro)

Home Edition
XP Home is the most basic version of Windows XP.  Designed for Home users with only basic computing needs, it is the least expensive and least featured version of Windows.  The main limitiations of XP Home are as follows:

• Supports only one processor which is not an issue as most computers only contain a single processor.
• Cannot join a Windows Active Directory domain, which is required for Network Conductor and other corporate level applications.  Active Directory simplifies management of machines, and allows for better security between computers on a corporate network.

If you do not plan on using your computer for anything besides games, web browsing, and personal productivity applications, XP Home is a good solution for its inexpensive price point and upgradeability. 

Media Center Edition
This edition is only available from certain manufacturers on certain models of computers.  Windows XP Media Center Edition is a special version of Windows designed for use as a media center - a computer that controls video, audio and other content for playback on devices such as televisions.  This allows your computer to act generally as a component in your home entertainments system.  Media Center Edition has all the benefits of Windows XP Home Edition, with the added Media Center functionality.  Media Center Edition is not supported under Network Conductor due to the following limitation:

• Cannot join a Windows Active Directory domain, which is required for Network Conductor and other corporate level applications.  Active Directory simplifies management of machines, and allows for better security between computers on a corporate network.
• CANNOT BE UPGRADED to Windows XP Pro.  If you purchase a computer with Windows XP Media Center edition and wish to switch to Windows XP Professional for use with the Network Conductor or another corporate network, you must purchase a full Windows XP Professional retail license, and will be unable to keep settings made in Media Center Edition when you change over.

Professional Edition
Windows XP Professional Edition is the most advanced version of Windows XP.  It supports mutliple processors for extra power, and Active Directory for use in secure, functional corporate networks. 

Purchasing Considerations
For the reasons stated above, Network Conductor recommends that all computers in your network run Windows XP Professional Edition.  Windows XP Professional is usually sold for less than $100 when purchased with new equipment.  Upgrades from XP Home to XP Pro retail for around  $200.  XP MCE cannot be upgraded to Windows XP Pro, and requires a new license to be purchased to install XP Pro on a computer shipped with MCE.  The full cost of Windows XP Pro is currently around $300.