Windows Vista: What version is right for you?
In the past when upgrading your version of the Microsoft Windows Operating System there were two basic choices, home or professional version. Windows Vista, however, offers 5 different versions to choose from; Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate.
Weather you are a home user, small business user, large business user, or somewhere in between, it is important to make the right choice when upgrading your operating system.
Windows Vista Home Basic and Home Premium
Home Basic and Home Premium are standard editions designed for most home users. The operating system versions differ in the features they offer the user.
For very basic home computing, such as surfing the web, sending and receiving email, and viewing photos, Vista Home Basic would be a good choice. If on the other hand you enjoy more advanced features, Home Premium would be well suited to your needs. Home Premium includes Windows Media Center which allows you to organize and enjoy photos, music, DVDs, recorded TV, and home movies. You can also wirelessly network an Xbox 360 to your PC.
The Home versions would not be a good choice for business users as they do not allow a network connection to a Windows Domain.
Windows Vista Business
For small to medium size business users Windows Vista Business is a good choice for your operating system. The features included in this version of Vista are very much suited to basic business functionality. Windows Defender and Firewall will help protect your users from outside threats. Instant search will let you easily locate and manage files. Windows Aero Desktop is included as well for a pleasant work environment. Windows Mobility Center and tablet PC support will greatly assist your users on the go. Vista Business also includes comprehensive file and system backup solutions, you can back up critical files to a network, external hard drive, CD, DVD, and USB thumb drives with Automatic File Backup. In the case of disaster Vista Business includes a complete backup and restore package that is image based. If you have a hard drive crash or other catastrophic failure you can recover your system using your Vista CD and your image to restore your system to its original state.
Windows Vista Enterprise
Windows Vista Enterprise is the premium edition of Windows for Business. This version of the operating system includes all the features of Vista Business and adds many more features to make complex computing infrastructures easier to manage and deploy. Vista Enterprise offers higher levels of data protection, easier application management, and improved standardization for global operations.
The inclusion of Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption will prevent sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands in the event of lost or stolen PC’s and laptops or recycled computers. BitLocker uses hardware-enabled full hard drive data encryption technology. Because the entire Windows volume is encrypted, BitLocker reduces the cost associated with the removal old PCs.
If your business operates globally Vista Enterprise includes all available interface languages on the installation DVD. This allows businesses to build a single Windows image that can be used worldwide, and to deploy PCs that simultaneously offer different languages for different users. The Multilingual User Interface (MUI) feature helps you save a significant amount of time as you prepare to deploy the new operating system as well as lowers the total cost to deploy and maintain new images.
If your users need to run legacy applications, Vista Enterprise offers the ability to install up to four copies of the operating system in a virtual machine for a single user on a single computer. This lets you run a legacy application in a virtual environment on top of Windows Vista Enterprise. With free availability of Virtual PC, Windows Vista Enterprise customers have the resources to run older applications through virtualization.
These are just a few of the benefits of the Enterprise edition of Windows Vista. For a full listing of all the features included visit the Vista Enterprise site.
Windows Vista Ultimate
If you want to have it all, including the ability to shift between the worlds of play and productivity, choose Windows Vista Ultimate. Windows Vista Ultimate offers an advanced, business centered operating system, including mobile computing and a premium home digital entertainment package, all in a single install.
All of the features found in Windows Vista Home Premium as well as Windows Vista Business, including business networking, management tools, and advanced system backups are included in Windows Vista Ultimate. Also included are new security and data protection features that help make Windows Vista much more dependable.
In addition, Vista Ultimate includes support for all its new mobility features, such as, Windows Tablet and Touch Technology, Windows SideShow, Windows Mobility Center, and other new, advanced mobility features.
Exclusive to Windows Vista Ultimate are Windows Ultimate Extras. Windows Ultimate Extras are add-ons that extend certain capabilities of your operating system or just make using your PC more fun.
If you want a single PC that fulfills all of your work, travel, and entertainment needs, or if you simply want to be confident that you have the very best, Windows Vista Ultimate may be the version best suited to you.
Is your current system ready for Windows Vista?
If you are concerned about choosing to upgrade your current system to Vista, Microsoft has a useful tool to verify that you can run their latest OS. Visit the Microsoft Vista Upgrade Advisor site and download the Advisor to check your system for compatibility.
Windows Vista can offer many features and benefits to all users, weather home users, power business users, or anywhere in between there is a version of Vista that can make life easier for everybody. If you would like more information, using Microsoft’s comprehensive comparison of the various versions of Windows Vista can help you make the right choice for your upgrade.
Already using Vista, but want to upgrade your version?
Windows Anytime Upgrade is designed for current Windows Vista users who want to upgrade their operating system to a more advanced version. Microsoft Windows Anytime Upgrade is an affordable way to experience everything Vista has to offer.
For additional information or support with your upgrade, please contact us at 303-482-1242.
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