Vista Version Comparisons

[Melbosa]

Looking for good comparison of each of the products.  Here is a chart I found, but still looking for more:

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9000829&pageNumber=12

Hoping you guys can help me out with that .

[Lazybones]

Great find.

MS has a similar chart with links that let you drill down for comparison.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/editions/default.mspx

[Shayne]

I like this one... http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/winvista_02.asp

[Lazybones]

Here would be my logic for each version

Home Basic
- As someone in the frag forums termed the current home version, this is the HOBO edition. You are too dame cheap and it is missing too many features.
- If a computer comes bundled with this, it is probably a crappy computer that couldn't run Aero Glass
   

Home Premium
- The right choice for almost any home user. (That doesn't run a domain home)
- power users will be pissed it doesn't host remote desktop but contains everything else media centre wise
- Missing the fax and shadow copy services but almost every thing else that is missing is not needed at home.

   

Business
- What you will want on most of your desktops if you don't care about encrypting the drive
   

Enterprise
- For those that want to encrypt every drive.. Really good for laptops
- Everyone knows MS virtual PC is a joke, not sure the included VM will matter much but I suppose it is a bonus   

Ultimate
- The power nerd OS for those who are running a home domain and still want multimedia
- Many might pick this up for the sole fact it is the only one with both remote desktop AND media centre

[Shayne]

Also worth noting that if you buy "Home Premium" and decide that maybe you really do need remote desktop you can simply buy a key that will unlock that functionality.

[Thorin]

Also worth noting that if you buy "Home Premium" and decide that maybe you really do need remote desktop you can simply buy a key that will unlock that functionality.

Is there an official source (with more information) for this?  At present we don't use Remote Desktop to connect to our home machines, but within a few years I can see my house getting headless file servers hidden in closets, attic space, under tables, or what have you, with proper backup procedures and storing all our user files.  At that time, I want to know I can use RD for as cheap as possible (and I assume XP will no longer be available).

[Shayne]

Sure Thorin:

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/37070041-1b90-4433-be0c-ab2855841b981033.mspx

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Anytime_Upgrade

[Shayne]

IN the article i posted originally was the paragraph...

Those who acquire Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, or Business are eligible for an electronic upgrade to a higher-end Windows Vista product edition through a new Windows feature called Windows Anytime Upgrade. While this feature will not be enabled until January 2007, Microsoft tells me that the pricing will be a bit less expensive than buying a retail boxed copy of the Windows Vista Upgrade version in question.

Windows Vista Home Basic users will be able to use this feature to upgrade to Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate. Windows Vista Home Premium and Business customers can use Windows Anytime Upgrade to upgrade to Windows Vista Ultimate. Because all Windows Vista product editions ship with the same bits on the install DVD, Windows Anytime Upgrade is basically just a way to unlock features and purchase a new Product Key.

[Lazybones]

Also worth noting that if you buy "Home Premium" and decide that maybe you really do need remote desktop you can simply buy a key that will unlock that functionality.

Is there an official source (with more information) for this?  At present we don't use Remote Desktop to connect to our home machines, but within a few years I can see my house getting headless file servers hidden in closets, attic space, under tables, or what have you, with proper backup procedures and storing all our user files.  At that time, I want to know I can use RD for as cheap as possible (and I assume XP will no longer be available).

If you look at the feature charts the " Windows Anytime Upgrade" is what Shayne is referring to HomeBasic, Home Premium, and Business can all be upgraded online to a higher edition. It is not simply the remote desktop feature, you basically purchase an upgrade but it is supposed to be seamless as all editions use the same code base and come on the install CD. The features that are enabled are determined by the CD key that is used.

[Shayne]

You're right Lazy I guess I didnt make that clear.  Its basically like buying XP Home, deciding that you need stuff in XP Pro so getting a new key to change your OS up to XP Pro for a discounted price.

[Lazybones]

You're right Lazy I guess I didnt make that clear.  Its basically like buying XP Home, deciding that you need stuff in XP Pro so getting a new key to change your OS up to XP Pro for a discounted price.

ya my post was a little redundant as well, you posted while I was composing.

MS is supposed to offer the upgrade as a service as well, so you will not need to go to a store, instead you could upgrade directly through MS online.

[Thorin]

First off, I'm sorry I didn't read the article you posted, Shayne, I would've found the answer myself.  That's funny, because I chastised Cova for posting in a thread without reading the article at the beginning

Second, although I would've preferred that just the Remote Desktop hosting feature could be bought because I'm a cheapskate, I am happily surprised at how MS is making it much easier to
a) have a legal instead of pirated OS (Windows Genuine Advantage is sort of a pain, but the price to purchase XP through it is really not bad) and
b) upgrade from a lesser version to a greater version when you need or want to
I guess what I like is that rather than vindictively suing the pirates a la RIAA, MS seems to have decided to make paying for the OS an easy option.  Sorta like shareware authors don't bother suing people who use their software past the 30-day period, but add features/remove nags once you pay.

[Shayne]

I dont understand why people are so angry at paying for an OS.  $349 i believe is how much XP Pro retails for at Future Shop, I have been using it for 4 years or so now, that equates to $0.25/day.  For really the only piece of software that you use daily it seems like a bargain when compared to a game that retails for $80 thats played for a month.

I was originally looking at the Ultimate, but Home Premium i think will be the version I select.

[Mr. Analog]

I dont understand why people are so angry at paying for an OS.

I think there are two reasons; The average person will buy a package computer from Dell or Futureshop (etc) that comes with a Windows license. My thought is that they simply don't understand that modern computers don't have a bult in OS. The other reason of course is that I think a lot of users know (or at least have heard that) you can get pirate copies of Windows rather easily.

[Thorin]

Also, users have gotten used to not paying for software that they use at home.  Many companies have or are realizing this and are allowing their software to be installed for free on home computers while charging for licensing on business computers.  This seems counter-intuitive until you realize that it builds up mind-share; that is, people get used to using the software, so convince their company to install it at work as well.

Makes it awful tough to develop anything for the home computer anymore if you're looking to make money (besides games, which have no business use and therefore cost money to buy and install on the home computer).