Hi Rob, First, a gentle plug . . . These are the types of questions that constitute the "value-add" of working with a Value-Added Reseller like us rather than buying direct from a company like Dell (not to mention helping to keep dollars local). . . But in any case, here are my two cents on your questions. 1) Inspirons are made for home users, Latitudes are business-class. Go with the Latitude (I'm actually writing this on the predecessor of the D510, the D505). Think Ford Ranger vs. F-series pick-up trucks - which would you want to be in if you were towing a boat or plowing snow? 2) XP Pro allows for connection to a Windows server-based network and will allow more than 5-shares in a peer-to-peer environment. XP Pro is also much easier for a trained/qualified technician to troubleshoot and repair (XP Home is made somewhat idiot-proof, and the troubleshooting wizards included in the product make servicing it much less granular). If you work in any sort of business environment, you should definitely go with XP Professional. For a full comparison, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx 3) Yes . . . But only in the support of legacy devices. If you are on the road, you may come across wanting to connect to a printer that only offers a parallel port. If you can't identify a need, then one doesn't exist for you, but we have plenty of clients that would require serial and/or parallel ports in their environments. Best always, Dave DelVecchio VP/General Manager Innovative Business Systems, Inc. 161 Northampton Street Easthampton, MA 01027 Phone: 413-584-4274 E-mail: ddelvecchio at for-ibs.com web: www.for-ibs.com -----Original Message----- From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net [mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Rob Condon Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 8:48 AM To: hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net Subject: [SPAM] - [Hidden-tech] Laptop Comparison - Email has different SMTP TO: and MIME TO: fields in the email addresses ** Be a Good Dobee and help the group ** Fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area. ** Remember you must be counted to post . Hi All, I'm getting a Dell laptop. (1) What are pros/cons of the Latitude D510 vs. Inspiron 6000? (2) Any great advantages of Windows XP Professional vs. XP Home Edition? (3) Is there any need now-a-days for serial or parallel ports vs. USB? Thanks for your Reply. Rob Robert L. Condon, President Longley Associates Executive Associate, Institute for Independent Business 126 Wilson Road Belchertown, MA 01007 413.320.2679 robcondon at charter.net www.iibusa.org