RSSMicrosoft Confirms Six Vista Editions
By Nate Mook | Published February 27, 2006, 11:36 AM
Echoing the information that leaked out last week, Microsoft early Monday confirmed it will ship six different editions of Windows Vista. Two versions will be designed for businesses, three for consumers, and one for emerging markets. But will consumers welcome choice or simply be intimidated by the number of options?
As previously reported, at the bottom of the list is Windows Starter 2007, which will likely replace the current Windows XP Starter Edition SKU. This slimmed down version of Windows does not carry the Vista branding as it is designed purely as a low-cost option in specific countries.
Microsoft will offer two Home editions of Windows Vista. Home Basic will serve as the baseline SKU for single PC homes, but lacks some key features including Vista's Aero Glass user interface and integrated search technology. Customers with Basic must use a separate Search Explorer tool instead.
Vista Home Premium, meanwhile, adds Windows Media Center functionality, support for Tablet PCs and integrated DVD burning. Premium users will also be able to take advantage of integrated search throughout the operating system, instantly pulling up documents, pictures, movies, videos and music.
Windows Vista Business will succeed Windows XP Professional. Multi-processor support and more advanced policy tools will target business professionals and IT managers. It's likely that Remote Desktop and advanced networking such as IPSec and NetWare support will only come in the Business edition and up.
For companies that need even more functionality, Windows Vista Enterprise will fill that role. It will build upon Business with Vista's BitLocker disk encryption feature, VirtualPC, multi-language user interface support, and Services for UNIX. Enterprise will only be available to Microsoft's Software Assurance customers.
Lastly, Microsoft will offer Windows Vista Ultimate, a SKU that combines all of the features of the Home Premium and Enterprise editions with even more functionality. However, Redmond officials have yet to disclose what extras the top version will include.
The new Windows Sidebar will ship with all editions of Vista except Windows Starter. 64-bit versions of each SKU will also be available.
Jupiter Research senior analyst and Microsoft Monitor author Joe Wilcox notes that by issuing six editions of Windows Vista -- three specifically targeted at consumers -- the company is giving hardware vendors more flexibility. However, Wilcox also expressed concern over such complexity.
"The new versions absolutely create more potential PC differentiation than with Windows XP and that's a great opportunity for Microsoft hardware partners," remarked Wilcox. "But it's a problem, too...I contend simplicity would make easier the marketing messaging and the customer buying process. The last thing Microsoft should want is for the buying process to be more complicated, potentially creating resistance to upgrades."
Wilcox also noted that Microsoft has done away with the Windows Media Center branding, which has been employed by a multitude of manufacturers. "If HP continues using the term, will it mean anything to consumers with Microsoft taking a different approach to versions? Windows Media Center is no longer a discreet version but part of other Windows Vista versions," he said.
Al Gillen, research director for System Software at IDC, thinks the approach will work. "Microsoft's strategy to address different customer segments with versions of Windows Vista optimized for their needs should be well received by these diverse user segments," Gillen said.
Microsoft did not announce pricing, only saying that Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate and Business will be available as fully packaged products at retail and on new PCs. Some analysts expect Ultimate and Enterprise to cost more than Windows XP Professional did upon launch.
Redmond had to be nuts. All these versions will scare the idiot consumer(which is most of them). the 32bit and 64 bit is also stupid. Just go 64 and forget 32. It will force upgrades and thus be good as well. All I really want to know is how much system resources Vista is gonna steal.
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|F*** Microsoft´s 5000000000000000000 different versions of everything they do!!!!!
Now I know why it takes so long to develope - they are trying to deside wich features that are going to be available in wich versions!!!!
I´m going to get the Ultimate version anyway.
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|F*** Microsoft´s 5000000000000000000 different versions of everything they do!!!!!
Try dividing that number by 833333333333333333.33333333333333 and you have the real number of versions.
they are trying to deside wich features that are going to be available in wich versions!!!!
Yeah... That's a huge surprise. I mean no one else does that.
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|Here's a more detailed analysis spec feature set of Vista's different versions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista
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|Confirmation of what was already said. No need to elaborate...
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|Maybe this is obvious to someone else but it isn't very obvious to me. Will each version of Windows Vista build upon itself as it did in windows xp? For example, will Windows Vista Business have all the features of the Home premium as well as the security features for business, or will they strip things out of the business version, such as the media center? It doesn't seem to be very clear just from reading about the different versions on the windows vista web site, but the fact that there is going to be a windows vista Ultimate almost leads me to believe that this will no longer be the case as it was in XP.
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|Am I the only one who doesn't like Home Basic?
I mean, it's like Microsoft is ripping off the home user by removing search and the Glass interface. Let's face it, most home users are absolutely clueless when it comes to buying an OS, and will probably just end up buying Home Basic because it looks the cheapest, and it works. Then they'll be ripped off of the wonderful search features and the Glass. I know the Glass isn't a big deal, but still. Why not just create one home version?
*sigh* Just my perspective. Anyone agree?
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|Indeed.... I like the current model of Home versus Professional... pure and simple. There's no need to muck things up by offering umpteen versions. I will be buying Vista Ultimate just so I don't have to hassle with the confusion, even in spite of knowing that's Ultimately what they want us to do... fork over the cash for Ultimate.
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|Three versions is enough;
Home - For home users.
Business - For companys and organisations..
Professional. - For developers and geeks.
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|I guess, I like the fact that those that complain about some of the integrated products MS bundles with its OS will target this version of Home.
It seems an attempt to quiet those individuals and countries that are bent on attacking them.
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|What is with the Enterprise Edition? Why offer it separately to a select group, but then offer it in the Ultimate version which anyone can have? What features will be left out, if any?
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|Home Basic is likely for the users that will buy the bare minimum of a computer (i.e. the $299 AOL computers, etc.).
And it allows those users to only pay for what they use. If they don't need all the advanced features, why should they buy them? I think this is a good thing for the consumers.
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|Basic, or Starter?
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|More QA fun!
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|No upgrade versions?
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|I'm sure each verion will have an upgrade option from it's XP xounterpart, and Ultimate will probably upgrade either.
Starter Ed will probably *not* have an upgrade.
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|I have this uneasy feeling that I am going to need one component in a higher end edition of Windows Vista. I will have to pay more money to get it because of a dozen other components included that I do not want or need.
I hope nLite is quick to support Windows Vista.
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|Doubtful. They're already having problems with it, and if the rtm dvds are anything like the CTP dvds, it's going to be a mess.
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|I know... I hope so too...
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|Windows Vista Ultimate for me -.-
I'm not a big fan of Windows, but I have it for gaming.. and I don't like knowing that another version of Windows has more feautures.
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|I'd almost think the Home Premium would be better for gaming.
I'd expect Ultimate would have a whole crapload more services running in the background.
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|I dunno about the number of services that will be default "on"... the point of Vista is to minimize all that in the name of "security". Even so, there's nothing stopping us from going into Services and disabling a lot of it.
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|You think 90% of the suers are even going to know how to get in there?
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|true, but will all those features be default installs or will they be options that have to be added or deleted using add/remove?
Q: I know about 64bit processing, but have not used it or worked with it at all. will this be a great feature to buy? Are there programs and drivers currently out there for this market yet? will there ever be, because I have read that the 64bit processing is not what it is cracked up to be or was expected to be.
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|64bit drivers/apps will be pushed when Vista rolls out.
It's not that big of a deal now because no Major OS Release had a 64bit version. XPx64 was more of an update than a release, and no-one really heard about it outside the tech industry.
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|Home Basic will serve as the baseline SKU for single PC homes, but lacks some key features including Vista's Aero Glass user interface and integrated search technology.
The BBC Story has it that both Basic and Premium will have integrated Desktop Search Capabilities.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4754462.stm
Home premium will also be able to interconnect with your XBox 360.
Nate, who's your source for the Home Basic not having desktop search? More, or less reliable than the BBC? (I admit your article goes a bit more in-depth on some of the features)
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|Source is Microsoft. The BBC is great, but generic news organization reporters rarely fully understand the technology they are covering.
As noted, "Customers with Basic must use a separate Search Explorer tool instead." The search integration throughout the OS will not be there, it's only part of Premium.
Xbox 360 integration is simply the standard Media Center Extender feature currently offered in MCE.
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|Intetesting. I know they're not the most technically-minded folk in the world, but if you look at the article, they went out of their way to mention it.... Just odd.
One could, I assume, just download it, since it *is* freely available.
Makes me wonder, though, if they've added a service in the premium edition which would diferentiate itself somehow from the downloaded version in terms of performance, or amount of searchable data.
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|My bet: Basic won't do full indexing of content on the drive. Sure, you can download Windows Desktop Search, but the integration won't be there within Explorer and exposed to every application that utilizes Windows Search APIs. Search Folders (saved queries) likely won't be supported either.
More information is here: http://www.microsoft.com...sions/home_premium.mspx
"Additionally, Windows Vista Home Premium helps you quickly find and organize large collections of documents, pictures, movies, videos, and music. By integrating search throughout the operating system, Windows Vista Home Premium helps you quickly find exactly what you are looking for."
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|Desktop search integrated into the explorer windows, etc...I've seen those screenshots. I should have figured that one out.
Silly me.
Thank for the info. :)
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|It's a very valid question. And it's strange to think Microsoft would strip out what I would consider a core operating system feature (search) just to sell a "Basic" edition at a lower cost.
Many analysts/journalists I've spoken to have had the same reaction.
Personally, I think Microsoft should have simply offered one retail version for consumers, and then licensed different editions to PC markers. So you could save money by buying a low-powered PC without Aero or MCE, but those going to the store won't be confused with choices (and if they upgrade hardware in the future, they would gain access to the features without buying another copy of Windows).
But maybe I'm underestimating the knowledgeable BestBuy employees to explain the difference between Search Explorer and integrated search.
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|lmao...
"knowledgeable BestBuy employees"
That particular string of words, in that particular order, should be considered a criminal act.
Purely for the damage it does to ones reputation when one's reaction to said string is witnessed by one's collegues.
Especially when one's collegues think BestBuy is a perfectly wonderful place to shop.
**shudders**
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|In michigan, I am sure other places as well, "knowledgeable BestBuy employees" is an oxymoron.
With all the features, including the desktop search function, I have not heard any remark to low system resource or let's just say minimum requirements for Vista? Has there been any information with regard to min requirments?
I know people are testing now, but I was hoping to purchase my system now and be ready for the OS later in fall. really trying to sort out all the info before I go shopping.
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|The beta ran decently on my old Dell 1.5Ghz.
MS has stated (I don't have time to google it now) that if it can decently run XP, it will decently run Vista, though perhaps without all the trimmings.
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|I wonder what the price range will be...
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|Expect the price to increase and not to get any lower. If they release a cheaper version it will be worse than XP Home.
Also, with the insane DRM being added and the renewed WPA thing plus the new DRM you have to pay a lot of bucks to get spied by Microsoft, which is far from good. And technically they could sue even the police and secret agencies since everywhere there is some illegally owned piece of software or video or music, everywhere.
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|I'm sure that won't be decided until *much* closer to release.
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|Insane DRM?
To what are you referring?
HDCP? It's not even complete yet. I am beginning to have doubts as to whether that spec will be final by the time Vista gets here... (or in time for Duke Nukem Forever, for that matter)
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|HDCP has been finalized, years ago.
Spec: http://www.digital-cp.co...SpecificationRev1_1.pdf
No OS supported it yet, Vista will be the first, with Linux and Mac OSX surely following it.
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|I'd expect the price to remain on par with what people currently pay, with a strong push to subscription plan for the business markets.
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|Sorry, confused HDCP with AACS.
Still, from what I've read, one pretty much requires the other (for hardware support, at least), and the AACS spec is still not finalized.
Sorry for the confusion. ;)
Here's a link for HDCP/AACS and why none of your HDCP devices....are:
http://www.firingsquad.c...dcp_support/default.asp
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|150 to 350 dollars. I guess.
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|"Microsoft did not announce pricing, only saying that Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate and Business will be available as fully packaged products at retail and on new PCs. Some analysts expect Ultimate and Enterprise to cost more than Windows XP Professional did upon launch."
Any idea as to the figure for Ultimate? Or are you referring to the 350?
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