Laptop OS in desktop?

[Showtime]

I believe I can run the laptop version of XP pro and Win 98se on my desktops. Those versions run less junk, so Im thinking my system will be a little faster with less stuff running in the background.
What does the mobile version have extra and what do I lose if I install it?
There was a version of 98 floating around called the "light" version. Anyone use it and would your system run faster with it?

TIA
-jel:halo:
FYI, I don't like OS's doing things for me in the background. I prefer to say when I need to do a defrag or check for an update.

[Cantacuzene]

I don't think there is a difference between the XP on a laptop and a desktop.

[mojo]

i actually had no idea that there were laptop versions of operating systems. i was aware of the palm versions, etc. but wtf is a laptop os?

i've installed windows on my lappy, as well as linux and other os's. but the install routine dictates that. it doesn't necessarily make it any lighter or use less apps, but just provides other services that are pertinent...such as different power management schemes.

anyhow, i could be wrong...so i'm interested in how this works out.

[Cantacuzene]

I demand proof that such a thing exists. No one I've talked to has ever heard of such a thing as a Laptop OS. I think someone lied to you.

[GilbertsGrape]

Originally posted by Cantacuzene
I demand proof that such a thing exists. No one I've talked to has ever heard of such a thing as a Laptop OS. I think someone lied to you.


dido

[eSDee]

Actually there is atleast one, Windows XP Tablet Edition (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/default.asp) designed specifically for the Tablet PC. Other than that I haven't heard of laptop specific OS's.

[rajatQ2]

from what i remember, its not a laptop specific installation. The installer picks certain packages of applications / services to install based on if you're running a laptop or a desktop. Its not like 2k Pro versus 2k Server, its just a different package installed. But there are many versions (unknown to most) of windows that M$ releases for specific purposes. 2k Embedded is one example.

[mojo]

if you were to refizz (do the factory load) of a laptop-prepared OS onto a desktop, i'm not even so sure it would go in. i dunno if windows is specific as to which cpu you use on your box, but in linux you can compile the kernel specific to your cpu...in which case a different one could render it pretty useless.

since laptops are of the same function as desktops in general, there's no real reason to make them "lighter" or less resource intensive since the hardware is already geared to make the difference up on its own.

[GilbertsGrape]

Originally posted by DarkFury


Isn't Dido a singer...???

BTW, I ditto your dido... :D

maybe i was thinking of Dido becaus she is so hot..... or i just cant type


:P

[spigidygak]

Originally posted by eSDeeLoco
Actually there is atleast one, Windows XP Tablet Edition (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/tabletpc/default.asp) designed specifically for the Tablet PC. Other than that I haven't heard of laptop specific OS's.

But thats not a laptop. . . thats a tablet ;)

[Joshua]

Maybe he's referring to the options that come up sometimes when installing certain OS's. You get the option of Fullinstall, Minimal install, Laptop install (all the fluff not related to power management, my briefcase, etc.. is removed), or custom.

Personally, I always do custom and only install what I need. Even then, Windows XP still installs a bunch of stuff that you don't need and it runs in the background.

I have gone into my services applet and disable about half of the services that were running by default before. Not only does this speed up your computer, but it also makes it safer by leaving less background services running that could interact with a virus/trojan/hacker.

[Showtime]

oops I phrased the question wrong.

I meant what rocket said. The install has a laptop option and i was wondering if i lost anything and if it would run faster.

As far as custom install goes, can someone tell me what is basically needed and what is just extra garbage ms throws in?

I'm thinking of doing a fresh install when i get my new ram. I mostly worry about performance and do most updates etc on my own.

-jel:halo:

[Joshua]

You have nothing to worry about. You could even do the minimal install, and if you find that you're missing something you need, you just go to Add/Remove Progs, click on Windows components, then check off all the pieces you want and ***PRESTO*** you're in business.

As far as what you actually need goes... Nothing except TCP/IP and IE for browsing. Everything else is fluff unless you have a specific need for it.

Personally I would prolly die without Notepad, but don't give a rat's @ss about Wallpaper. It's up to you.

Like I said, if you're going to instal NT/2000/XP, make sure you pop into the Services Applet and disable anything you don't need. You'll save on processor/memory power, as well as make your pc more secure.

[eSDee]

Originally posted by spigidygak


But thats not a laptop. . . thats a tablet ;)

Well, I hear you but what is the tablet but a laptop with a new periperhal? With the swivel keyboard attached it is nothing more than a laptop, is what I'm saying.

Eh what the hell it's a tablet :P

[mojo]

Originally posted by the jello is jigglin
oops I phrased the question wrong.

I meant what rocket said. The install has a laptop option and i was wondering if i lost anything and if it would run faster.

As far as custom install goes, can someone tell me what is basically needed and what is just extra garbage ms throws in?

I'm thinking of doing a fresh install when i get my new ram. I mostly worry about performance and do most updates etc on my own.

-jel:halo: well, as i stated before, in some cases more stuff is loaded and not really less. it's not any "lighter" so much as different. you need more stuff for power management to deal with the battery and such. other than that, it's the same stuff.

if you really wanna control what's running, it doesn't really matter what of the OS is installed so much as what runs and at what time it runs. you can control that from setting what loads at startup. in win98, that'll be in your system configuration...just uncheck anything that you don't want to run until you tell it to. some stuff you'll need to run (explorer, systray), and some stuff you can just tell it to run when you run it...like stupid printer services or 3rd party crap or whatever.