If you are a gaming person like myself, brother and a few other people I know, then go for Windows XP Professional. I have heard too many bugs with Windows XP Home Edition and Games, Visual STUDIO .NET and Networking. XP Professional is certainly worth the extra few dollars, but try http://www.ebay.com for Windows XP Pro. (I got an OEM edition for $50US) (at the time, $68 Australian)