Windows 7 home premium to professional

[Bones]

Bought a Dell lap top last year that was installed with Windows 7 professional. The laptop was not quite up to the task I bought it for so I have just ordered a replacement Asus which comes pre installed with Windows 7 home premium. Is it an easy task to upgrade the OS of the new machine to professional using the Dell OS CD’s? Is it not possible to have the professional version installed on the two machines or would I have to downgrade the Dell to home premium?

 

[richie]

Bought a Dell lap top last year that was installed with Windows 7 professional. The laptop was not quite up to the task I bought it for so I have just ordered a replacement Asus which comes pre installed with Windows 7 home premium. Is it an easy task to upgrade the OS of the new machine to professional using the Dell OS CD’s? Is it not possible to have the professional version installed on the two machines or would I have to downgrade the Dell to home premium?

My guess is that the dell system will not work on the ASUS but it is only a guess.
What are the advantages to the pro version?

 

[AA388]

You will have to buy the upgrade on the ASUS to Win 7 Pro, you cannot use the one that came with the Dell.

 

[Bones]

What are the advantages to the pro version?

The software that I use at work requires professional. I won't necessarily have to load this on my home laptop as I have a work laptop too, but sometimes it is handy (especially when I change employers). I guess I will make do the home premium install and will upgrade if I need to later on.

The laptop upgrade was required because the laptop I bought last year couldn't properly stream HD video from my camcorder.

 

[Wberesford]

No real advantages to be honest if all it is being used for is everyday use i.e. web browsing, email, Office packages etc etc. The main differences come at the more 'technical' end of things and relate to networking etc.

Essentially, if you have a version of Win 7 currently and you didn't have to pay for it, I wouldn't worry about upgrading unless you NEED to. However, if you have a more advanced version and the necessary license key, and you know what you are doing then, I would always upgrade.

NOTE; I wouldn't attempt loading the Win 7 from one manufacturer onto anthers laptop etc etc, it will be an imaged version that contains drivers specific to the chipset of the machine it came with.

Good luck