5 versions of Vista

[Pete]

Microshaft plans to offer 5 versions of Vista:

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Home Premium

Windows Vista Home Basic

Windows Vista Ultimate

It looks to me that they're planning to milk us with higher prices for a
fully capabile PC.
Anyone know for sure? Note there are three versions for the home.

 

[Mark D. VandenBeg]

I haven't seen the prices, yet, Have you?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Microsoft has not published the prices and I do not expect to see prices
until release is closer.
However Microsoft has stated the pricing structure will be similar to the
existing products.

As for "...they're planning to milk us with higher prices..."
Not at all.
If anyone spends money for Vista, it is their own choice.

As with all upgrades, you should only do so after determining there is a
specific benefit for your situation.
Most do not need to upgrade at all and they will eventually get Vista with
the new computer they will probably eventually need in the coming years.

 

[Beck]

Microshaft plans to offer 5 versions of Vista:

Windows Vista Business

Windows Vista Enterprise

Windows Vista Home Premium

Windows Vista Home Basic

Windows Vista Ultimate

It looks to me that they're planning to milk us with higher prices for a
fully capabile PC.
Anyone know for sure? Note there are three versions for the home.

I like the idea of scaled pricing. Why should anyone pay for features they
do not need?
My graphics card will not do glass so there is no point in me paying for a
version which has glass. I will go for the basic version. I just want a
basic OS.

 

[William R. Mosher]

What if Microsoft simply gave away its Operating System for free and lived off the profits from its office applications, games, and Xbox? What if Microsoft built an entirely new Operating System (based on Unix or FreeBSD?) without any legacy support geared for the future? What if Microsoft were to develop its own distribution of Linux with a Windows Vista user interface?

William
I haven't seen the prices, yet, Have you?

 

[AJR]

Beta 2 is the "Ultimate" version and represents all the "Fixins" so to
speak. The "Home" versions will be scaled down for those who do not want,
cannot use, etc. all the Vista features - in addition to having reduced
hardware requirements.
It will be interesting to see the reaction to the home versions by those who
have been complaining about the size., performance, etc. of Beta 2.
BTW - there is another version - the "Starter" for "Underdeveloped???"
countries.

 

[Guest]

I am waiting for the the costs too although I know when ready for the full
launch with more driver compats. I will be hoping to purchase & spec up a
little as my PC was built with this in mind. I do like the ultimate version.
I guess it will be a new laptop when they are ready to go fully compatible
with Vista.

 

[Mark D. VandenBeg]

Yes, I believe there also is a Starter.

Also, all editions (except the Starter for less-than-fully-developed parts
of the world) will be available in both x86 and x64 versions.

 

[Andyistic]

Developing a version of Linux means complying with GNU which means source code available for everyone. This of course, would be heaven for exploit terrorists - something which has plagued Microsoft since Windows 3.0
I really doubt Microsoft wants to step foot along that path.

-- Andy

What if Microsoft simply gave away its Operating System for free and lived off the profits from its office applications, games, and Xbox? What if Microsoft built an entirely new Operating System (based on Unix or FreeBSD?) without any legacy support geared for the future? What if Microsoft were to develop its own distribution of Linux with a Windows Vista user interface?

William
I haven't seen the prices, yet, Have you?

 

[Andyistic]

I don't understand the need for a lesser version for third-world countries.
Why can't they use the "standard" versions that us North Americans use?
Is this only because they aren't expected to have enough money to pay for
the versions we use?
This needs further elaboration, if you would, please.

-- Andy

 

[Andyistic]

I like the idea of scaled pricing. Why should anyone pay for features

they do not need?
My graphics card will not do glass so there is no point in me paying for a
version which has glass. I will go for the basic version. I just want a
basic OS.

You can get an Aero-capable graphics card for next-to-nothing.
Why avoid such a card and make due for a lesser version of Vista?
Doesn't quite make sense to me.

-- Andy

 

[Mark D. VandenBeg]

From Microsoft:

"The Windows Vista product lineup consists of six versions, two for businesses, three for consumers, and one for emerging markets: Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Starter."

The whole article for proper context:

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/feb06/02-26WinVistaProductsPR.mspx

No explanation was given as to why there is a separate version specifically targeted at emerging markets.
Developing a version of Linux means complying with GNU which means source code available for everyone. This of course, would be heaven for exploit terrorists - something which has plagued Microsoft since Windows 3.0
I really doubt Microsoft wants to step foot along that path.

-- Andy

What if Microsoft simply gave away its Operating System for free and lived off the profits from its office applications, games, and Xbox? What if Microsoft built an entirely new Operating System (based on Unix or FreeBSD?) without any legacy support geared for the future? What if Microsoft were to develop its own distribution of Linux with a Windows Vista user interface?

William
I haven't seen the prices, yet, Have you?

 

[Raven Mill]

You know...I've always wondered why it is that people think that Linux is
totally free. I like linux, but there are a few things to consider with it:

1. Don't EVER ask a linux user to help you. You will be flamed beyond your
wildest dreams just for asking...

2. Don't ever contact the distributor for any type of help unless you're
willing to pay anywhere from $40 to $199 per month, depending on which
questions you ask.

3. Never, never EVER, enter a linux chat room without full knowledge of
linux. Especially the chat rooms/forums with names like "Linux Help" or
"Beginner Linux". Those names are simply to draw in people to ask questions
so that the "regs" there can flame them.

--
Takali S. Omega Sr
Host of TechTAK on KFAR 660am
--------------------------------------------------------
Give a man fire and he’s warm for a day.
Set a man on fire and he’s warm
for the rest of his life.

Developing a version of Linux means complying with GNU which means source
code available for everyone. This of course, would be heaven for exploit
terrorists - something which has plagued Microsoft since Windows 3.0
I really doubt Microsoft wants to step foot along that path.

-- Andy

What if Microsoft simply gave away its Operating System for free and lived
off the profits from its office applications, games, and Xbox? What if
Microsoft built an entirely new Operating System (based on Unix or FreeBSD?)
without any legacy support geared for the future? What if Microsoft were to
develop its own distribution of Linux with a Windows Vista user interface?

William
I haven't seen the prices, yet, Have you?

 

[Beck]

You can get an Aero-capable graphics card for next-to-nothing.
Why avoid such a card and make due for a lesser version of Vista?
Doesn't quite make sense to me.

Does it make sense if I say I have a laptop?

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

That's about the size of it. System builders for emerging countries want a
dirt cheap OEM Windows. If I remember correctly Starter will only run three
concurrent apps.

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Not all are retail (boxed editions). Enterprise will not be on your
reseller's shelf. It will only be available through software assurance.

The only really new sku here is Ultimate. Business is like XP Pro, Home
Basic is like XP Home, and Home Premium is like MCE.

 

[Mark D. VandenBeg]

I just know someone from the Amazon Basin is going to post here asking about
Aero...

 

[Beck]

That's about the size of it. System builders for emerging countries want
a dirt cheap OEM Windows. If I remember correctly Starter will only run
three concurrent apps.

oohh really? That would do me.

 

[Andyistic]

Laptop?
In that case, you should just stick with XP, since chances are that you'll
be getting a newer laptop before Microsoft phases out XP.

-- Andy

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

In that respect, I find the Mac forums friendlier to beginners, esp Windows
users, by a lot. I have seen more Rantintosh users in this ng than in all
the forums on Apple.com put together.