26 October 2006
Vista vs. Vista - A brief comparison of the versions
With all the talk about Vista and how different it is from other Windows versions I've decided to look at how different it is from itself.
Let's start with Vista Home editions. The Vista Home Basic edition's features are listed as: significant advances in security and reliability, Windows Vista Basic user interface, Search and Organize innovations, and Improved networking. The description claims that this edition is for those who want to use their computers for web surfing, talking with friends via email and chat programs and editing documents or creating them at a basic level.
So to summarize this version of Vista is for the average person who uses a computer only for the Internet but has no real interest in computers. Let's say that this is the version for the computer use habits of our grandparents. Those looking for the extra eyecandy and advanced user interface that Vista boasts will not find it here and may notice a huge difference in the systems when seeing the more expensive versions.
Vista Home Premium on the other hand adds: the Windows Aero user interface, Windows Media Center functionality, Windows Tablet PC capability, and the ability to do video authoring and DVD burning. Its description tells us that it is good for those who want to still find information on the Internet and stay connected, but also for working with photos, video, TV programs and music. They also mention this version being good for basic home level accounting tasks (i.e. balancing a checkbook), doing homework, watching films and listening to music or playing games.
So in short the general purpose version of the operating system. Not brilliant for any one task, but will do what tasks the average family needs. This is the version for the shared family computer with no computer "hobbyists" in the house.
Next comes Vista Business. Like Home Premium it features the Windows Aero user interface and Windows Tablet PC capabilities. It also has primary business features (i.e. Domain Join, support for Group Policies, and an Encrypted File System, Fax, and Scan) and it includes some Small Business Resources. It describes itself as helping computers run smoother and more secure while causing less reliance on IT staff. It claims to give IT staff more time to add value to the business that uses this software.
Unfortunately with some of the anti-piracy features, this may not be true if the business updates and changes their system hardware often. Under this situation and considering it could cause problems with having to reauthenticate the system after ever change.
Lastly there is Vista Ultimate. Also featuring the Windows Aero user interface and the capability to use Windows Tablet PCs, but adding Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption and every worldwide interface language. It is described as having all the features of the Home and Enterprise editions of Vista. It is said to combine the features of an operating system focused on business and mobility with digital entertainment features.
This is the version designed with the hardcore gamers in mind along with the people who plan to use the computer primarily for their business. Looking at the hardware requirements of Vista, this system should work quite well for games so long as the operating system itself doesn't hog all of the resources.
Let's start with Vista Home editions. The Vista Home Basic edition's features are listed as: significant advances in security and reliability, Windows Vista Basic user interface, Search and Organize innovations, and Improved networking. The description claims that this edition is for those who want to use their computers for web surfing, talking with friends via email and chat programs and editing documents or creating them at a basic level.
So to summarize this version of Vista is for the average person who uses a computer only for the Internet but has no real interest in computers. Let's say that this is the version for the computer use habits of our grandparents. Those looking for the extra eyecandy and advanced user interface that Vista boasts will not find it here and may notice a huge difference in the systems when seeing the more expensive versions.
Vista Home Premium on the other hand adds: the Windows Aero user interface, Windows Media Center functionality, Windows Tablet PC capability, and the ability to do video authoring and DVD burning. Its description tells us that it is good for those who want to still find information on the Internet and stay connected, but also for working with photos, video, TV programs and music. They also mention this version being good for basic home level accounting tasks (i.e. balancing a checkbook), doing homework, watching films and listening to music or playing games.
So in short the general purpose version of the operating system. Not brilliant for any one task, but will do what tasks the average family needs. This is the version for the shared family computer with no computer "hobbyists" in the house.
Next comes Vista Business. Like Home Premium it features the Windows Aero user interface and Windows Tablet PC capabilities. It also has primary business features (i.e. Domain Join, support for Group Policies, and an Encrypted File System, Fax, and Scan) and it includes some Small Business Resources. It describes itself as helping computers run smoother and more secure while causing less reliance on IT staff. It claims to give IT staff more time to add value to the business that uses this software.
Unfortunately with some of the anti-piracy features, this may not be true if the business updates and changes their system hardware often. Under this situation and considering it could cause problems with having to reauthenticate the system after ever change.
Lastly there is Vista Ultimate. Also featuring the Windows Aero user interface and the capability to use Windows Tablet PCs, but adding Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption and every worldwide interface language. It is described as having all the features of the Home and Enterprise editions of Vista. It is said to combine the features of an operating system focused on business and mobility with digital entertainment features.
This is the version designed with the hardcore gamers in mind along with the people who plan to use the computer primarily for their business. Looking at the hardware requirements of Vista, this system should work quite well for games so long as the operating system itself doesn't hog all of the resources.
Labels: desktop, microsoft, vista, windows
