Microsoft on the 8 faces of Vista: Oops!

Remember that story from a few days ago about Microsoft's plans to release no fewer than eight versions of Windows Vista (including the Windows Vista Ultimate edition, which we assume comes with or without extra cheese and pepperoni). Well, it turns out someone at Microsoft jumped the gun a little. The company has taken down all references to the eight flavors of Vista, saying that the page was posted "prematurely," and included "incomplete information about the Windows Vista product line up." Which we assume means that there will be more than eight versions, and Microsoft's branding experts are even now in the process of coming up with names for the additional ones. Let's see, Windows Vista Extreme? Windows Vista XXL? Microsoft Bob? Oh, wait, they've already done that. Which means, of course, that no matter what they come up with, it won't be worse.

[Matt @ Feb 21st 2006 5:26PM]

May I add Windows Fantastico

[cb2203 @ Feb 21st 2006 5:30PM]

I can see it now...
Extreme Windows Vista Ultimate Starter Edition

Theres a tongue twister for you.

[chuck @ Feb 21st 2006 5:39PM]

Ill buy it when its windows vista drmless and costless, until then Ill use Linux and hope for osX on my AMD. (not that Im a osX whore, I prefer Linux anyday over osX, but I have a crush on Photoshop and MS Office)

[Chris @ Feb 21st 2006 5:42PM]

Can I get half fantastico and half supremo?

[Rick @ Feb 21st 2006 5:45PM]

Me? I would like Windows Vista Venti!


Oh wait, better make it Grande, I'm watching my weight.

[Alex @ Feb 21st 2006 5:46PM]

You are fully aware that Mr. Bill Gates (I say Mr. cuz he's cool)

He's reading this site just about everyday and no doubt will see this story and all of your comments right kids.

Oh and a link to the previous story abut the 8 version s of Visat wouldbe nice.

All I care about is which version is more secure and optimized for gaming

Windows Vista Ultimate, Ultimate till when till they come up with Ultimater or Ultimateness

[Michael @ Feb 21st 2006 5:49PM]

I want an OS... Not feel like I'm ordering a mocha latte extra sweet blah blah blah

[Larry Friedman @ Feb 21st 2006 5:50PM]

Well their logo is already like the Pizza Hut Four Corners pizza so I'm gunning for Windows Vista Sicillian with extra cheese (lets be truthful, Microsoft has a lot of experience with cheesy OSes).

[Sean @ Feb 21st 2006 5:52PM]

It's entirely possible that the fact that "the page was posted 'prematurely,' and included 'incomplete information about the Windows Vista product line up'" means that there will be fewer than 8 versions.

[Brandon @ Feb 21st 2006 5:56PM]

Windows Vista: Uber Pro Edition.

[Reality Check @ Feb 21st 2006 5:56PM]

*From a source inside Microsoft, here is the edition omitted from the previous release:

Windows Vista Ultimate Starter Premium Extended Developer Network Platinum Server All-Your-Base-Are-Belong-To-Us Supreme Media Center International Edition 2006

[bophojones @ Feb 21st 2006 5:57PM]

What's the word on tablet functionality? Is it going to be gone? And if not, what are they going to do about the fact that no (or very few) tablets in existence today have a video setup that could run Aero? I don't want to be stuck in the stone-age with my brand new dual core toshiba tablet...

[nizzy1115 @ Feb 21st 2006 6:14PM]

@ bophojones

Microsofts vista will only display the beautiful aero graphics if you have a computer capable of running it. (aka fast processor,fast hard drive, lots of ram, and a nice graphics card.) If your computer doesnt meet aero's min specs it wont use the interface and you will just have an os that looks similar to the xp graphics (nothing too fancy but fancy enough).

Also, it is most likely people will not be upgrading tablet computers os, rather they will be buying new ones capable of running vista at its finest.

[mike @ Feb 21st 2006 6:29PM]

what makes you think there will be more names? I think there will be less.

http://www.cranburypcrepair.com

[BklynKid @ Feb 21st 2006 6:29PM]

May I have a ice, quad grande, extra mocha, mocha Windows Vista? Oh and that muffin right there.

[techyted @ Feb 21st 2006 6:33PM]

What is so HARD here people, just sell Microsoft Vista with all of the bells and whistles of Media Edition and robust of XP Pro and Microsoft Server. What are they trying to do, confuse everyone and entice them to buy Macs. At least that is my plan.

[Matt @ Feb 21st 2006 6:36PM]

My guess is: Windows - with wings

[Todd Homan-Jones @ Feb 21st 2006 6:38PM]

Oh god, as a tech support phone monkey, this is going to be a nightmare.

[omoks @ Feb 21st 2006 6:39PM]

Remember, Gates reads this site. Hmmm... Engadget sure pissed him off this time. Spreading rumours (from prematurely) released info. Huhhh. You guys should be ashamed :)

[Razor @ Feb 21st 2006 6:42PM]

I want the edition that eradicates Engadget Editorial Policy Malware. Then Engadget would only be viewable on Apple computers leaving the 95% of the rest of us in peace.

[Chip @ Feb 21st 2006 6:54PM]

Don't forget to include Windows Penultimate!

[Kyle Reasons @ Feb 21st 2006 6:56PM]

I wrote about this months ago on Real Tech News.com

http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/1814

[WhatIsOpenOffice.org? @ Feb 21st 2006 7:05PM]

Microsoft Windows Starter Edition 2007
Microsoft Windows Starter Edition 2007 N
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic N
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Microsoft Windows Vista Business
Microsoft Windows Vista Business N
Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise
Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise N
Microsoft Windows Vista Tablet Basic
Microsoft Windows Vista Tablet Basic N
Microsoft Windows Vista Tablet Premium
Microsoft Windows Vista Tablet Business
Microsoft Windows Vista Tablet Business N
Microsoft Windows Vista Tablet Enterprise
Microsoft Windows Vista Embedded Basic
Microsoft Windows Vista Embedded Basic N
Microsoft Windows Vista Embedded Premium
Microsoft Windows Vista Server Basic
Microsoft Windows Vista Server Basic N
Microsoft Windows Vista Server Premium
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Tablet Edition
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Embedded Edition
Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Server Edition
Microsoft Windows Vista Omni Edition (all Windows versions and features from Windows 1.0 to Vista Ultimate)


I think that covers it.... Maybe... Ooops - no, I forgot

Microsoft Windows Vista for IntelMacs Basic
Microsoft Windows Vista for IntelMacs Basic N
Microsoft Windows Vista for IntelMacs Premium
Microsoft Windows Vista for IntelMacs Business
Microsoft Windows Vista for IntelMacs Business N
Microsoft Windows Vista for IntelMacs Enterprise
Microsoft Windows Vista for IntelMacs Ultimate
Microsoft Windows Vista for IntelMacs Server Basic
Microsoft Windows Vista for IntelMacs Server Basic N
Microsoft Windows Vista for IntelMacs Server Premium
Microsoft Windows Vista for IntelMacs Server Ultimate
Microsoft Windows Vista for IntelMacs Tablet Basic
Microsoft Windows Vista for IntelMacs Tablet Basic N
Microsoft Windows Vista for IntelMacs Tablet Premium
Microsoft Windows Vista for IntelMacs Tablet Ultimate

So, what is that - like 40 version?

[WhatIsOpenOffice.org? @ Feb 21st 2006 7:08PM]

Hey Kyle - nobody cares about your ancient post - your article isnt' even right - there is no "Small Business Edition" - that was the whole point. And you didn't have the "N" editions. So way to show everyone you're an idiot just to drive people to your lame site.

[Thomas Averin @ Feb 21st 2006 7:09PM]

#23 lol "the dig" reference.

[Steve @ Feb 21st 2006 7:13PM]

Can you say this?: Ultimate Enterprise Windows Vista Business Edition Basic 2007 N

[Deluxe @ Feb 21st 2006 7:26PM]

I would imagine the negative feedback towards 8 versions would more likely LESSEN the number of versions, for my $0.02.

[Merkur @ Feb 21st 2006 7:40PM]

Windows Vista for Dummies
Windows Vista for Blondes (making look like MacOS X)
Windows Vista for right handed
Windows Vista for left handed
...

Microsoft: Think about your users!

[Elliott @ Feb 21st 2006 7:55PM]

what happens if you use your computer for both gaming and work?

you'd need Vista Super Ultimate Gaming Edition with Spooge Drivers and Vista Mega Ultimate Extreme Office Edition.. probably dual-booted.

Hey Bill? Just make one operating system.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KISS_Principle

[jon brewer @ Feb 21st 2006 8:05PM]

i just obtained a copy the supposedly the best windows version to date!


it's called....OS X...

[Myria @ Feb 21st 2006 8:14PM]

"I want the edition that eradicates Engadget Editorial Policy Malware."

No kidding. Engadeget, now with almost as much ABMer stupidity in one sentence than your average /. post manages in an entire thread.

[egg:e @ Feb 21st 2006 8:17PM]

Engadget should be ashamed for alledging that there will be "8 versions" of Windows, when in fact there will probably be only 2 per market.

[IseWise @ Feb 21st 2006 8:19PM]

Windows Vista : Blue Screen of Death Extreme Edition
Windows Vista : |_|83r |337 h4(k3r5 3d1710n
Windows Vista : OS X but with blue screens version

[Phred @ Feb 21st 2006 8:30PM]

Windows 360

[duke @ Feb 21st 2006 8:36PM]

actually, by incomplete it might meant less version then supposably, eight. won't that many version be a hassle for consumer to choose from ? i am guess they will settle on final 5, as follows:

vista embedded ed
vista starter ed
vista network env
vista business ed
vista pro ed

and to its name, i really dont give a damn how they going to name them, cause they'll end up bsod and screw us all anyway. maybe i'll stick with existing xp version, or maybe i'll just dump all these microsoft marketing crap and move on to osx. how do you like that, bill

[thanggnguyen @ Feb 21st 2006 8:41PM]

Companies big and small stay in business and grow by meeting the needs of its customers. The seven versions of Microsoft Vista is the company's attempt to accomplish that. Furthermore, by separating the company's oldest franchise into varations, attacks are reduced to a select demograhic of computer users rather than across the board like it is today. Attacks that come from the many unneccasary features of Windows, a common complaint of many corporate users and consumers alike.

On the hand, the seven versions create confusion in marketplace, complexity for users deciding which to buy, and unnecessary costs for software developers to suppport their customers.

Some users will hate this new development while others embrace it with open arms. Well, that is life.

[rick labanca @ Feb 21st 2006 9:14PM]

Hasta la vista. Baby.

[aaa @ Feb 21st 2006 9:34PM]

In europe they will sell the N versions AND the normal versions.

like they do now, with xp. The thing was to offer the option of a version Without the Media player

(not all are N in europe)

[bliss @ Feb 21st 2006 9:47PM]

#39- that's a good bit of info if it in fact holds true.

[Robert Stocki @ Feb 21st 2006 9:48PM]

Can't wait for Vista, bring on the instant on feature. Tired waiting for my computer to boot up.

[Stoneman @ Feb 21st 2006 10:06PM]

I always wondered how they named Windows vista.

Well I work in IT support and I noticed I used a Plantronics VISTA headset.

Yep. Vista.

heh

[Ex5 @ Feb 21st 2006 10:46PM]

Windows Vista better than superman, batman, wonderwoman, and the incredible Hulk all combined. Yeah!

[tiuk @ Feb 21st 2006 11:02PM]

Stoneman - http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=vista

It's not like it's some crazy unique word.

[Jeff Orlando @ Feb 22nd 2006 12:56AM]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[z @ Feb 22nd 2006 1:26AM]

What about that fantastic Windows Vista BSOD edition?

[Craig Shergold @ Feb 22nd 2006 2:31AM]

I hear the Vistapo marched in and took the page down.

[D. Lin @ Feb 22nd 2006 2:34AM]

Whatever it was, Team-Vista will still includes their usual security snafus that necessitates infinite patches & updates. Wonder if they can minimize those?

[Harshal Udani @ Feb 22nd 2006 2:57AM]

Microsoft New Vista should also come out with the following names:

1.Vista Hang-Proof Edition (which could mean other versions do hand !!!)

2.Vista Crack-Proof Edition
3.Vista International Edition
4.Vista FD,GD,HD (whatever else "D's" they can think off)

[tm @ Feb 22nd 2006 4:20AM]

just hoping all 8� have a big mofo start button or i'll be lost

[AlisdairC @ Feb 22nd 2006 5:00AM]

Why can't we have Windows 'Paneless'? (Apologies...I'll get my coat)