Windows Vista – Which Version Do You Need?

After deciding to shift to a Windows Vista OS, you need to decide on which Windows Vista version you should pick. Before you consider shelling out $400 for a Windows Vista Ultimate license, you really should ask yourself exactly what features you need and want so you can decide whether the price is right.

Windows Vista Home Basic

This is the most rudimentary version of Vista available. It has the more secure IE 7, the firewall, the quick search functionality, and easier connectivity. When it comes to the features that distinguish Vista from previous versions of the Windows OS, though, Home Basic is somewhat lacking, though it does offer parental control.

Windows Vista Home Basic is a good choice only if you use your computer solely for web surfing and basic document processing, or if your computer is just barely powerful enough to run Windows Vista.

Windows Vista Home Premium

For an extra $40, you can get much more out of Windows Vista. Aside from including all the features of the Home Basic version, Home Premium offers all of the window-dressing that makes Vista look like Vista. You will have pre-packaged games and Aero interface capability. Aero gives your windows and icons a 3D appearance and smoother transitions, as well as allowing you to add transparency effects to window borders. Home Premium offers tablet PC functionality, document collaboration, and scheduled backups. Home Premium also offers the fully integrated Windows Media Center for all your home entertainment needs, plus a moviemaker which is HD format-capable.

Windows Vista Home Premium is designed for the user who uses the computer for PC and network gaming, since Premium supports DirectX 10, with its advanced graphics technologies incredible graphics rendering. Premium is also designed for watching High Definition movie, editing/making video clips, burning DVD copies, and interfacing with the Xbox 360, which Home Premium edition automatically detects to allow for Video, Audio, and Picture sharing.

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Business drops Parental controls, Media Center features, and pre-installed games for obvious reasons. Vista Business does have the rest of the Home Premium features plus support for business applications and business data security (fax, remote desktop connectivity, file encryption, and complete shadow incremental backup). This version of Windows Vista is, as the name implies, strictly for business purposes.

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Enterprise adds Microsoft’s BitLocker encryption technology to the feature set found in Windows Vista Business, but this version of Windows is only offered to businesses participating in Microsoft’s Software Assurance program.

Windows Vista Ultimate

This edition has everything that is included in the Home Premium and Business editions. Vista Ultimate also adds Enterprise’s BitLocker encryption technology for the computer’s hard drives, protecting the drives so that only authorized users can boot up the OS or view the files contained in the drives.

Because of its full complement of features, Vista Ultimate is perfect for people who use the PC for fun and business in equal parts, as well as users who want to be protected from data loss and PC theft.

This article may be republished freely as long as this copyright notice and box of resource links are included at the bottom.

Copyright © 2007 MALIBAL, lLc

About the Author

MALIBAL is the Home of the World’s Fastest
Laptops
! Please, check out these recommendations for the best
laptop
&
notebook computers
.

Windows Movie maker Adding Special effects XP / VIsta

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 $134.88 Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 software helps you bring out the best in your photography, whether you’re perfecting one image, searching for ten, processing hundreds, or organizing thousands. Create incredible images that move your audience. Experiment fearlessly with state-of-the-art nondestructive editing tools, including world-class noise reduction. Easily manage all your images. And showcase your…

Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11 Production Suite $59.25 Video editing audio mastering & disc authoringVegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11 Production Suite takes HD video and audio production to the next level with tools for professional-level sound design and more video effects and transitions. Edit video in nearly any format including high-definition HDV and AVCHD and create a 3D project using the innovative stereoscopic 3D tools. Use the included Sound…

Western Digital 1.5 TB Caviar Green SATA Intellipower 64 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive WD15EARS $103.75 WD Advanced Format technology increases media format efficiency, thus enabling larger drive capacities. WD Advanced Format drives are specifically optimized for Mac and the latest Windows operating systems such as Windows Vista and Windows 7. WD Advanced Format drives work with legacy operating systems such as Windows XP but require the use of the free WD Align software available on www.wdc.com/a…

Digital Blue 602 Disney Pix Micro Cars Digital Camera $19.99 DISNEY PIX MICRO – CARS…

Cheetah Girls – Disney Pix Click Digital Camera $49.98 Get creative with the included Disney Pix photoediting softwareProduct InformationMake your favorite memories with friends and family last forever! Store up to200 pictures and choose which ones you want to keep. Then easily download yourphotos into your computer for printing CD storage and more.  The CheetahGirls Digital Camera provides cool and unique tools with photo editing softwarethat le…

EasyCAP USB 2.0 Audio/Video Capture/Surveillance Dongle $3.26 Dimensions: 3.54 in x 1.06 in x 0.55 in…

Tropico 3 [Download] $5.01 The time is yesterday and the Cold War is in full swing. Through means devious and dubious you have seized power in the Caribbean island country of Tropico, where you now rule as the all-powerful “El Presidente”. Whether you turn Tropico into a vacation paradise, a police state or a modern industrial nation – you will always have to defend your actions before your people!…

Trainz Simulator 12 [Download] $49.95 Trainz Simulator 12 includes the most exciting new feature in the history of Trainz. You guys asked for it, and now we have delivered! Players from all over the world can build, play and operate railroads together in this new and exciting experience!…

Tropico 3 $1.62 Tropico 3…