Paul Thurrott posts that a web page on Microsoft’s website temporarily revealed the different versions of Windows Vista that will be made available.
They were:
- Windows Starter 2007 – like XP Starter versions, this version is for developing nations (those with poor economies / rampant piracy) and will be incredibly cheap, but likely handicapped with missing features and capabilities. Will not include Aero graphics, and thus will not have Vista in the name.
- Windows Vista Home Basic – like XP Home, will be able to run all programs and will have Aero.
- Windows Vista Home Basic N – to keep European regulators happy, this versions will not have Windows Media Player. Seven people will buy it, four by accident.
- Windows Vista Home Premium – like Vista Home Basic, but will also have Windows Vista Media Center and support Media Center Extenders and CableCard. As far as I’m concerned, Microsoft should have just released this as Home Basic. Media Center is too important to have people not get it to save twenty bucks.
- Windows Vista Business – like XP Professional.
- Windows Vista Business N – like XP Professional, but for Europe with Media Player. No one will buy this version.
- Windows Vista Enterprise – like Business, but also adds Virtual PC, Multi-language User Interface, Secure Startup and full volume encryption.
- Windows Vista Ultimate – includes all features of Vista Home Premium and Vista Business, satisfying the people who were angry with XP that they had to choose between Media Center and Professional.
What version are you getting? I’m probably a Home Premium person, as the XP Pro features never seemed enough of a reason to give up Media Center, and Ultimate will probably be too expensive to justify the purchase. I’ll say this: If Ultimate comes bundled with some extras, like some cool software (like Macs do), I might change my mind.
(via Engadget)
Nathan Weinberg writes the popular InsideGoogle blog, offering the latest news and insights about Google and search engines.
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