Version1 Oct 2007
So what version is suitable?
See a short break down of the headline feature to help you decide. Table taken from the Microsoft web site, prices from retail sales sites.Note buying Vista with your new hardware is a fraction of the retail cost. .
| Features | Home Basic | Home Premium | Business | Ultimate |
| Windows XP Version approximation | XP Home Edition | XP Media Centre | XP Professional | New |
| Price full approx | $335.00 | $400.00 | $500.00 | $658.00 |
| Price Upgrade approx | $175.00 | $262.00 | $330.00 | $430.00 |
| Price AE upgrade approx | $168.00 | |||
| Most secure Windows ever with Windows Defender and Windows Firewall | y | y | y | y |
| Quickly find what you need with Instant Search and Windows Internet Explorer 7 | y | y | y | y |
| Elegant Windows Aero desktop experience with glass-like menu bars, Flip 3D, and Live Thumbnails | n | y | y | y |
| Best choice for laptops with Windows Mobility Center and Tablet PC support | n | y | y | y |
| Collaborate and share documents with Windows Meeting Space | n | y | y | y |
| Experience photos and entertainment in your living room with Windows Media Center | n | y | n | y |
| Enjoy Windows Media Center throughout your home with Media Center Extendersb | n | y | n | y |
| Protect against hardware failure with Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore | n | n | y | y |
| Use Scheduled Backup to automatically backup your files | n | y | y | y |
| Easier business networking connectivity with Networking Center and Remote Desktop | n | n | y | y |
| Better protect your data against loss with Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption | n | n | n | y |
| Easily make DVDs with Windows DVD Maker | n | y | n | y |
| Have more fun on your PC with three new premium games: Chess Titans, Mahjong Titans, and Inkball | n | y | y | y |
| Create high definition movies with Windows Movie Maker in High Definition | n | y | n | y |
So what does this all mean...and how do Vista version compare to Windows XP?
If you were a previous user of the XP home edition your new version would be Home Basic ...but... you will miss out on the new aero experience. Basically a pretty interface, unfortunately you will need a good quality video card to even attempt to use aero. If you can live without this then Basic may suit you.
A typical use that wants the new features including the new Aero and multimedia viewing and burning feature will prefer the Home Premium edition. This should be your minimum version for use with laptops.
In a business environment the Business version will be your version of choice. The benefits of scheduling, and remote access I think are your key features here.
If you are a person who uses notebooks on the go or wants a very secure desktop then look at the Ultimate edition, the inclusion of full drive Bit-Locker will make your machine more secure if lost or stolen. This was my version of choice as I want to see and experience all the new features and it would allow me to review all features of Vista.
Not with standing all these feature you can get missing features for various versions from 3rd party vendors either free or a small cost
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