Windows Vista Product Lineup Announcement

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The news is out…

Vista

Today Microsoft announced the Windows Vista product lineup; the five flavors of Windows Vista that you’ll be able to purchase.

For the Home User:

  • Windows Vista Home Basic
  • Windows Vista Home Premium
  • Windows Vista Ultimate

For Businesses:

  • Windows Vista Business
  • Windows Vista Enterprise

So, for the home user, Home Basic is just the basic OS for Internet surfing, email, and includes new parental controls.  Home Premium will include tools for digital media enjoyment and management.  Home Premium will include the new version of Windows Media Center also, as well as Tablet PC support and integrated DVD authoring and burning.  And the “Ultimate” will include the best of the business AND home functionality; so you’ll be able to have the mobility and security features of the business versions, with the digital media functions of the home versions.

On the business side, Windows Vista Business will include most everything a business PC, Laptop, or Tablet needs.  (Yes.. tablet functionality is included in both business versions.  There is no separate “Tablet” version now.)  The Enterprise version will include Windows BitLocker(TM) drive encryption, Virtual PC Express (which is included as an application compatibility solution), and the Subsystem for UNIX-based Applications (SUA) – so you can run UNIX applications unchanged on a Windows Vista Enterprise-based machine.

Some additional, interesting quotes from the press release:

All new versions are available for either 32-bit or 64-bit systems, depending on the needs of the customer. Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Ultimate and Business will be available as a full-packaged product at retail and on new PCs. Windows Vista Enterprise will be offered only to business customers participating in Microsoft’s Software Assurance program.

Microsoft also will offer Windows Vista Starter in emerging markets. Windows Vista Starter is designed to empower families and entry-level PC users in these markets to experience the world of social and educational benefits that personal computer technology and the Internet makes possible. A 32-bit operating system designed specifically for lower-cost computers, Windows Vista Starter enables popular beginner PC activities and provides an easy-to-use and more affordable entry point to the Windows Vista family of products.