Stata/SE, Stata/IC and Small Stata (available only to academic institutions) differ in the size of the dataset that each one can analyze. Stata/MP is a parallel-processing-capable version of Stata/SE . Here is a general guideline:
Stata/MP is the fastest and largest version of Stata. Most computers purchased since mid 2006 can take advantage of the advanced multiprocessing of Stata/MP. This includes the Intel CoreTM Duo and the AMD X2 dual-core chips. On dual-core chips, Stata/MP runs 40% faster overall and 72% faster where it matters, on the time-consuming estimation commands. With more than two cores or processors, Stata/MP is even faster.
Stata/SE, Stata/IC, and Small Stata differ in the dataset size that each can analyze. Stata/SE and Stata/MP can fit models with more independent variables than Stata/IC (up to 10,998).
Stata/IC allows datasets with as many as 2,047 variables. The number of observations is limited only by the amount of RAM in your computer. Stata/IC can have at most 798 right-hand-side variables in a model.
Small Stata is limited to analyzing datasets with a maximum of 99 variables and 1,200 observations. Small Stata can have at most 99 right-hand-side variables in a model.
Compare Features
| Stata/MP | Stata/SE | Stata/IC | Small Stata | |
| Maximum no. of variables | 32,767 | 32,767 | 2,047 | 99 |
| Maximun no. of right-hand variables | 10,998 | 10,998 | 798 | 99 |
| Maximum no. of observations | unlimited* | unlimited* | unlimited* | 1200 |
| 64-bit version available? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Fastest: design for paralell processing | Yes | No | No | No |
| *The maximum number of observations is limited only by the amount of available RAM on your system. |
Requirements
| Stata/MP | Stata/SE | Stata/IC | Small Stata | |
| Memory | 512 MB | 512 MB | 512 MB | 512 MB |
| Disk Space | 250 MB | 250 MB | 250 MB | 250 MB |