Which Vista is right for you?



According to Mr. Gates of Microsoft, 90% of us

computer users use Windows. Also according to him

we should all be using or getting ready to use

the latest operating system, Windows Vista, from

Microsoft. Now the questions - who should really

upgrade and which version is the right version

for your use - Standard, Basic, Home Premium,

Business, Enterprise or Ultimate?

If you are using the latest version of Windows XP

Professional, and are up to date on the patches,

don't rush for an upgrade unless you are buying a

new computer or are an IT professional developing

technology based on the Vista platform.

You may not have noticed but Windows XP also has

many versions - Standard, Home, Professional,

Enterprise, Tablet PC and Windows Media Center.

Very few people use the Standard Version and

Enterprise is for the very large enterprises. So

I will skip them in my review.

Windows Vista Basic is the upgrade over Windows

XP Home with fewer crashes, brand new interface

and improved security. You will also get limited

access to Windows Mobility Center and Meeting

Place. What you do not get is Pluggable log-in

authentication architecture, Aero, Rights

Management Services (RMS) Client, Tablet PC, DVD

Maker, Media Center, Movie Maker regular/HD,

Domain join for Windows Small Business Server,

Encrypting File System, Integrated smart card

management, Group Policy support, Roaming user

profiles, Virtual PC Express, BitLocker Drive

Encryption, Fax and Scan and ShadowCopy.

Windows Vista Home Premium is the upgrade for

previous Windows XP Media Center with fewer

crashes, brand new interface, improved security

and graphics improvements including DirectX for

gaming. You will also get limited access to

Windows Mobility Center. What you do not get is

Domain join for Windows Small Business Server,

Encrypting File System, Integrated smart card

management, Group Policy support, Roaming user

profiles, Virtual PC Express, BitLocker Drive

Encryption, Fax and Scan and ShadowCopy.

Windows Vista Business is the upgrade for

previous Windows XP Professional & Tablet PC with

fewer crashes, brand new interface and improved

security. This is the version I recommend to my

customers. What you do not get is DVD Maker,

Media Center and Movie Maker regular/HD that are

not essential for a business professional.

Windows Ultimate has all features of Basic, Home

Premium, Business and some extras for a hefty

price. Most systems sold by custom pc makers, HP,

Toshiba, Dell and Lenova does not come with

Ultimate installed. Microsoft recommends a $199

upgrade Ultimate from Home Premium and Business.

Visit Microsoft Vista website for all features

and comparisons.