Vista Language

[Landon]

Hi I want to buy notebook but I rather confused to decide whether to take the
Vista Home Premium or the Ultimate.

I live in Japan but I only understand a little Japanese so I also want to
have my Windows in English either.

Is it enough only using Vista Home Premium and install the Windows Vista
Language Interface Pack (LIP) on it?

Or I have to purchase the Ultimate and install the Windows Vista
Multilingual User Interface Pack (MUI) on it?

I don't know anything about Vista, so I cannot guess what this feature is
for. Unlike XP.

So I really need it in both English and Japanese. The Japanese, I need it
for some parts of my job.

The prices is quite high for the Vista Ultimate so if it is possible, I will
not upgrade to Ultimate.

How is the best solution?

I look forward to hear from you soon..

Thank you very much..

 

[Earle Horton]

What is your native language? If you can get one with the user interface in
your native language it is a big advantage, when you have to find stuff or
figure out how stuff works. Extra language packs are $25 and are ordered
online and downloaded the same day. Have a Japanese speaker with you
because the instructions for the installer are likely to be in Japanese,
same with English if you have to buy the English language pack too. I use
English, Spanish, French and German. A U.S. computer comes with English,
French and Spanish installed. I had to purchase the German Language pack to
be able to spell and grammar check German text. It also came with Office
templates for letters, reports, fax etc. all in German, and I think it has a
German user interface, but I don't need that.

Maybe you would be better off talking to the sales people where you are, to
see if you can get a computer with the user interface in your native
language. You don't really need the Language Interface Pack to display for
example Japanese. It is more for people who need to see the user interface
in Japanese. If you want to edit or write Japanese that is a free install,
as far as I know.

Cheers,

Earle

 

[Richard G. Harper]

In the retail market, only the Business and Ultimate versions of Vista allow
you to change the language of your Windows install. So no, you cannot
purchase a computer with Japanese Home Premium on it, then change the
language to English. You would be far better off purchasing a computer with
the language you would prefer than to purchase one with a language you don't
prefer and try to change it later.

 

[Landon]

My original language is English. And here in Japan, I can only speak basic
Japanese.
That is my problem.
And I must purchase the notebook here.

So it is better for me to take Ultimate?

Thank you.

 

[Earle Horton]

My original language is English. And here in Japan, I can only speak basic
Japanese.
That is my problem.
And I must purchase the notebook here.

So it is better for me to take Ultimate?

Thank you.

That seems to be the only way to get an English language user interface in
your situation. Unfortunately, I don't have Vista Ultimate so I cannot
speak with authority whether it will do what you want or not. According to
Microsoft's web site, Ultimate is the one which allows you to change user
interface languages, and is recommended for multi-lingual situations. The
other editions do not appear to have this ability. In theory then, Ultimate
is the one you will want.

I present the following two options for your consideration.

I assume that "basic Japanese" wouldn't be enough for you to be able to use
a Japanese-only user interface. I could be wrong here. Have you tried
using a Japanese computer?

Another thing you might investigate, is the possibility of buying an
English-language computer in Japan. It is possible that they are available.
If you can get one, installing tools so you can edit and read Japanese text
should be fairly easy.

Earle

 

[Richard G. Harper]

If I were you I would ask about the language when buying the notebook. Any
reasonably-sized retailer should be able to order or customize the notebook
with the language you prefer. If not then definitely get Ultimate Edition
and good luck.

 

[Landon]

Only Ultimate. Im running Business 32Bit, OS Finnish, and cannot
change the language to English.

Ok, but I read in Microsoft.com that they provide additional pack, called
MUI and LIP.

MUI is Multilingual User Interface if I am not mistaken. and it is only
capable for Vista Ultimate. So I can conclude that if I finally use the
Ultimate, I must still updating online.

LIP is Language Interface Pack. And this capable for all versions of Vista.
But I don't know if LIP is enough to solve my problem. If this is enough then
that's good because I don't have to pay more for the Ultimate.

Does anybody ever use or know any information about LIP and MUI?

And how does the Vista compatibility to nowadays hardware and software? Is
there any problem with compatibilty since it was released?

Thank you very much..

 

[Earle Horton]

Ok, but I read in Microsoft.com that they provide additional pack, called
MUI and LIP.

MUI is Multilingual User Interface if I am not mistaken. and it is only
capable for Vista Ultimate. So I can conclude that if I finally use the
Ultimate, I must still updating online.

LIP is Language Interface Pack. And this capable for all versions of
Vista.
But I don't know if LIP is enough to solve my problem. If this is enough
then
that's good because I don't have to pay more for the Ultimate.

Does anybody ever use or know any information about LIP and MUI?

I have the German Language Pack for Microsoft Office 2007. I think it is
what you are talking about. (Also known as "Language Interface Pack"?) It
only works for Office programs. It is not the same as changing the
interface language for the whole computer to German. Lucky for me, I don't
need that just the ability to edit and read German text. I use the spelling
and grammar checker in Word. I did notice that there is stationery for
letters, fax cover sheets, etc. in German. I don't need that either, just
the ability to type and edit student papers in German. If you buy the
Japanese edition of Office, it is already enabled for English, so I don't
know what the English Language Pack, if there is one, will do for you.

And how does the Vista compatibility to nowadays hardware and software? Is
there any problem with compatibilty since it was released?

Vista is fully compatible with hardware it is released/sold on. Heh. Some
older devices don't work quite right, can't find drivers, etc. If you
already use a previous Windows version such as XP or 2000, you will find
common functions and programs moved around for no apparent reason. This
makes the system almost unusable until you retrain yourself. Vista
proponents speak about a "learning curve". Hah! The changes are like
moving the controls of a car or a plane, for no reason than that the
engineers like the new positions. Imagine jamming on the brakes, and you
hit the accelerator instead...

Cheers,

Earle