How to: Choose between the different vesions of Vista

Windows vista officially launched on the 30th of January 2007 in 6 Different versions. Hope the following helps you choose:

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PART I
The home user.
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Vista Ultimate

Microsoft said:

Windows Vista Ultimate is the choice for those who want to have it all. Easily shift between the worlds of productivity and play with the most complete edition of Windows Vista. Ultimate provides the power, security, and mobility features needed for work, and all the entertainment features that you want for fun.

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This version has it all, from advanced file security tools to networking tools. In short tools an avarage user will never touch. In fact many of its advanced fetures [designerd for offices in general] will end up giving you headaches. You may loose the photo album you encrypted [ahem.. a simple password would have sufficed] etc. etc. Basically Windows Vista Ultimate Edition is a superset of both Vista Home Premium and Vista Pro Edition
This version costs bout 20K.

It does have some pluses for the home user under "ultimate extras" but, well the fact of the matter is that they are not worth the 10K or so extra [above the home premium]
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Buy it only if:
You work from home. ie you use your PC for both (really serious) work and multimedia/gaming.
AND
your work requires:
> Protect against hardware failure
with Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore
> Business networking connectivity
with Networking Center and Remote Desktop
> Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption

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Bottomline: Recomended for professionals who require a high degree of data protection. Home users, skip this.
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Vista Home premium

Microsoft said:

Windows Vista Home Premium is the preferred edition for home desktop and mobile PCs. It provides a breakthrough design that brings your world into sharper focus while delivering the productivity, entertainment, and security you need from your PC at home or on the go.

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This version is probably the most atractive to the home user. It costs bout 10K and come loaded with what vista is all about. [the WoW factor.]

This version contains all thats new to vista and the stuff you [the home user] require.
It comes with the AERO interface(3d flip is really usefull), Media center, windows meeting space, windows DVD maker, movie maker etc. apart from the standard stuff.
Its good for gaming, movies, music and working.

If you are worried about the fetures you will miss out on [over ultimate] the hear this:

common sense 1.0 said:

It is important to know that only 3 [major] fetures seperate this from vista ultimate.

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They are:
>Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption
>Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore
>Networking Center and Remote Desktop
Two of these "fetures" can be easily obtained using 3rd party tools. And the additive cost [cost of OS+software] dosnt come upto the cost of the Ultimate edition!
The tools are:
Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore -vs- Norton ghost
Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption -vs- any encrypter of your choice
Also and avarage home user dosnt need an encrypter of the networking center. [reqd. for large lan networks]
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Buy it if you:
> Play games on your PC
> Use your PC for multimedia
> Work at home

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Bottomline:
Over all if you are a home use looking to upgrade to vista look no further. This is it.
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[RECOMENDED FOR THE HOME USER]
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Vista Home Basic

Microsoft said:

Windows Vista Home Basic is ideal for homes with basic computing needs like e-mail, browsing the Internet, and viewing photos. Easy to set up and maintain, it enables you to quickly find what you're looking for on your PC and the Internet, while providing a more secure environment to help protect you from an unpredictable world.

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If you already own XP, Dont buy this.
No matter who you are, what you do, do not install this at home!
The basic interface is not worth the upgrade cost.
Get a new theme and wallpaper for xp and your done!

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Bottomline: Buy this if you have no OS at all. [ie spanking new PC.]
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PART II
The office warror.
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Vista Business

Windows Vista Business is the first edition of Windows designed specifically to meet the needs of small businesses. You'll spend less time on technology support-related issues—so you can spend more time making your business successful. Windows Vista Business is the definitive choice for your business today and tomorrow.

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This is the only bussiness version you can buy off the shelf so no choice really. It is basically home premium minus the entertainment fetures.

Buy it if:
You want to equip you small-medium bussiness organization with new reliable and efficient technology.
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Bottomline: A decent package for bussinesses.
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Other versions
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Enterprise

Designed to significantly lower IT costs and risks, Windows Vista Enterprise meets the needs of large, global organizations with complex IT infrastructures.

If you wanted to buy this you :
> own infosys, hcl... the like
> would not be reading this
> would have bought it on the 30th nov launch itself.
> can rest assured microsoft them selves are using this! [bad joke]
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Windows Vista Starter

Windows Vista Starter is the most affordable way to enjoy the basic Windows Vista experience. Windows Vista Starter is exclusively available in emerging markets, and is designed for a beginning PC user with additional tools and tutorials to make it easier to use.

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This is and OEM only version.
Its not as limited as xp stater thus making it a viable option for schools buying new pcs.
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