Basic User Interface vs. Microsoft® Windows® Aero™ User Interface in Windows Vista™

Microsoft® Windows Vista™ is offered in two interfaces, Basic and Aero™.
Basic
New PCs that are configured with a minimum of 512 MB present Windows Vista in a Basic User Interface (UI). The Basic UI resembles Windows XP. All Windows Vista PCs can run the core functions provided in Windows Vista.

NOTE:
Regardless of system configurations, the Windows Vista Home Basic only provides the basic user features.

Aero

Windows Aero offers an exciting new way to view and manipulate the elements one sees on the desktop, including:

• Dynamic Windows
• Taskbar Thumbnails
• Windows Flip
• Windows Flip 3D
• Performance

NOTE:Only premium versions of the new Windows Vista operating system support the new Aero User Interface.
The premium versions of the operating system are Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business, and Windows Vista Ultimate.