The Vista Lineup

Windows Vista's features will be parceled out in six editions, which could compli- cate buying decisions. Here's how the lineup looks:

Windows Vista Enterprise is for Microsoft's largest corporate customers. It has security features such as BitLocker hard-disk encryption, Virtual PC software for migrating apps, and a Unix subsystem that lets IT workers run Unix software on their PCs.

Windows Vista Business includes features similar to Windows XP Professional edition, including backup, networking, and group policy support. It has Microsoft's Aero user interface, a new search engine, and small-business features such as fax and scanning software.

Windows Vista Home Premium is the mass-market play aimed at home users, with the ability to show photos on large-screen TVs, play music on a stereo, write and copy DVDs, and edit high-definition video. It also can sync files between two PCs.

Windows Vista Ultimate combines the features of Vista Business and Home Premium--for businesspeople who do work projects from home.

Windows Vista Home Basic is aimed at the E-mail and Web-surfing crowd, dropping the media, photo, and music software of Home Premium.

Windows Vista Starter will be available only in emerging markets like Brazil, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and Thailand and runs only in 32-bit mode.

Return to main story, A Clearer View Of Vista

Illustration by Dale Stephanos