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Microsoft Settles on Six Vista FlavorsBy Pedro HernandezFebruary 28, 2006
Microsoft is planning to roll out six versions of Windows Vista in the second half of 2006. This follows a recent slip-up when the OS maker's Web site played host to the information before an official announcement was made. It was quickly removed after the news made the rounds online. For several months, the company has discussed tailoring versions of Vista towards certain usage patterns, but the exact number hasn't been made official until this week. As expected, the next Windows OS will consist of versions targeting specific subsets of home and business users, similar in some respects to the current Windows XP Home, Pro and Media Center Edition lineup. All versions, except for Starter (more on that later), will ship for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. Businesses will have a choice between Windows Vista Business and Enterprise. The Business edition will include built-in search, the glassy Aero user interface and support for Tablet PCs. Enterprise builds upon these features with UNIX software compatibility, Virtual PC Express for running legacy apps and full drive encryption via BitLocker. Home users, on the other hand, have more options, including one that trumps the business editions if multimedia ranks high on the wish list. Vista Home Basic provides an OS for users with modest needs, such as email, Web surfing and run-of-the-mill editing. Indicative of its place in the next-generation Windows totem pole, Basic lacks many Aero's graphical bells and whistles. Next is Vista Home Premium, built with a more robust multimedia feature set. This version includes Windows Media Center, DVD burning (movies and slideshows), and tablet support all wrapped in the 3D accelerated Aero interface. Vista Ultimate essentially blends Home Premium's multimedia prowess with the features found in the business offerings. Then there's Vista Starter. As the sole 32-bit-only version of the bunch, Starter is aimed at bringing low cost computing and the Internet to "emerging markets," according to the company. All versions save for Starter and Enterprise will be available at retail or bundled with PCs later this year. Enterprise is only being offered to members of the company's Software Assurance program. A consumer-centric breakdown of the Vista versions, minus Starter, is available here.
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