Vista Starter — Streamlined version meant for low-powered PCs in developing nations.
Vista Home Basic — For those content to browse the web, use email, and create and edit basic documents from their PC. Includes destop search and security tools.
Vista Home Premium — Includes everything in Basic but also includes the Aero graphical interface, Media Center functionality, and ability to connect to Xbox 360. The version most of us will own at home.
Vista Business — The basic version for companies of all sizes with tools to help organizations manage their PCs.
Vista Enterprise — Includes everything in the basic business version with improved encryption and BitLocker system to keep data from being read on a stolen computer.
Vista Ultimate — All the features of Home and Business in one.
The full Vista price range for Australia as released by Microsoft is thus:
- Windows Vista Home Basic AUD ……….. $385
- Windows Vista Home Premium ……….. AUD$455
- Windows Vista Business AUD ……….. $565
- Windows Vista Ultimate ……….. AUD $751
$455 for a friggen OS.. effectively DOUBLES the price of a new PC. I’m tempted to get a Mac Mini for $949 but that’s still a bit much.. if ONLY they’d release the damn OS without hardware. Looks like I’m-a gonna hafta buy Home Premium for $455. Wonder if I can get the Upgrade version and upgrade from XP Pro? Would that be cheaper?
My quick calculations put Vista Home Premium Upgrade at ~ $300. So, at the current price of XP Pro at the local computer markets of $150 plus $300 is $450 anyway. Hardly worth the trouble. Although online prices still show XP Pro (with Sp2) at up to $430!!
