The main attraction of XP Pro versus XP Home is support for dual processors. Pro has more networking and security. Pro comes with the remote access utility. Other than that, there's really no difference other than double the price. Unless you have a multi-processor motherboard....or plan on setting up a network with more than ten machines (Pro isn't limited to the ten machines Home is)....or are just anal rententive when it comes to securing your PC....Home should be just fine for you. Final note.....security can be a good thing but can also be a bad thing...the more security you got....the more likely the chance of securing yourself right out of your own system.