mysql vs mysqli DB setting

[svoec]

I just moved my vb from a old server that was apache 1.3, php4 mysql4

new server is all the newest ... (apache 2X mysql 5.x, php5.x)
I just noticed, in the config.php, it says to use mysqli if you are using PHP 5 and MySQL 4.1+

how much difference will changing this setting make?
what are the advantages/disadvantages ?

Thanks

[mlx]

We are using mysqli for proper UTF8 support. Besides that I'm not sure if it really makes any difference. The performance seems to be the same for us.

However if you are using the latest PHP/MySQL there's no reason not to use mysqli either ...