Microsoft gets official on Vista versions

Ok, we've finally got the real poop on those Microsoft Vista releases. Instead of 8 versions, there will be 6, with three of those for home users, two for business, and one for emerging markets. Oh, and they're required to release a couple of European versions too without that pesky Windows media player. So actually, it's pretty much what we already told you, eh? Anyway, Microsoft likes to point out that XP already ships in 6 flavas with Vista versions organized by what people plan to do with their computer, not what kind of hardware they have. So, here's the official rundown:

Vista Starter -- Streamlined version meant for low-powered PCs in developing nations.

Vista Home Basic -- For those content to browse the web, use email, and create and edit basic documents from their PC. Includes destop search and security tools.

Vista Home Premium -- Includes everything in Basic but also includes the Aero graphical interface, Media Center functionality, and ability to connect to Xbox 360. The version most of us will own at home.

Vista Business -- The basic version for companies of all sizes with tools to help organizations manage their PCs.

Vista Enterprise -- Includes everything in the basic business version with improved encryption and BitLocker system to keep data from being read on a stolen computer.

Vista Ultimate -- All the features of Home and Business in one.

[Thanks, Tony]

[kev @ Feb 27th 2006 8:31AM]

It's official. Time to switch to Ubuntu! Onwards!

[js @ Feb 27th 2006 8:42AM]

LAME. They could've just converge business, enterprise, and ultimate.

[Aleks @ Feb 27th 2006 8:45AM]

Doesn't matter what version, all versions will be on a single Disc. Depending which serial is used, it will activate the associated version.

Can't wait for the new Devilsown Master Key! :)

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Feb 27th 2006 8:47AM]

Ubuntu-kubuntu... I run Debian at home. And Mac OS X on my notebook. Why wait for Vista? Why wait for my favorite aplications being ported to Vista? bash & vim worked Okay for me last 7 years. See no need to change something that works well.

[matt @ Feb 27th 2006 8:48AM]

why does everyone think that ubuntu is the be all and end all of linux distros, theres better distros out there!

[thegreentrilby @ Feb 27th 2006 8:53AM]

It's better than eight versions, but still... it's overkill.

Of course, all the Linux fanboys brag about their choice and then decry Microsoft when Windows has more than two versions.

(No, I am not a Linux fanboy. I have a Mac mini and a PC running XP.)

[Michu @ Feb 27th 2006 9:09AM]

Does Ultimate also include Home Premium?
For me, It's a bit to "individual", I would just agree on the dev. nations Starter (hey, they really might need it), the Home, the Prof and Ultimate as mentaioned before.

By the way, no Linux-discussion here please ;)

[chris @ Feb 27th 2006 9:14AM]

What happened to the podcasting support that was promised in Ultimate?

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_editions.asp

[buttbutt @ Feb 27th 2006 9:18AM]

How about specs needed for each. My home laptop is limping along. I can either wait for this stuff to be released (sure to be delayed) or buy something new that will support it. Have specs for decent running been released (don't want to hear about min specs, but ones it runs (or will run) well with).

[Richard @ Feb 27th 2006 9:19AM]

Where's the tablet editions? Are those integrated into the versions like Media Center is?

Much like how Media Center and Tablet PC XP are the same disc, and what's loaded is determined my the serial used, I'll assume they'll go for the same thing here.

Right?

[ginnal @ Feb 27th 2006 9:27AM]

The only thing I'm really interested is that starter version.

I wonder if the installed os could fit on a 1 gig flash card?

Zero Boot time for my htpc and minimal apps running mmmmm

[Moogle @ Feb 27th 2006 9:42AM]

Oh yay, they have 6 (8 if you're in europe) versions of an operating system, of which the only actual differences are (A) Does it have the shiny graphical interface? (B) Does it arbitrarily lock out developer and server software (C) Does it include tools that should really be sold as seperate products?

Anyone that's taken an economics course before has already heard this one. Take a look here:
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Simple_supply_and_demand.png )
So, the area of the triangle above the line essentially how much money consumers are saving. A small number of consumers would pay more, but they don't have to. This is the area of double-plus good for consumers. The area below that is good for the producers. That's all the money above cost the company makes.

What MS is doing with all the multiple versions is selling a more expensive thing, that costs them no more to make, to the people who would have paid more in the first place. So remove a rectangle inside the consumer-good area and add that to MS's profit. This was Windows 98, and NT. Then comes ME, 2000pro and 2000server - draw another two rectangles, so you have a high, medium, and low segment. Then you have XP home, XP tablet, XP MC, XP pro, and 2003 server. Take another two chunks out for those Media gluton home users and those shiny-expensive-tablet people.

Software is an odd business. The suppply line is nearly horizontal because you do the work once and sell a lot of cheap plastic. So the line starts out a little high and doesn't go up much with quantity. Since MS is a monopoly, they've always artifically raised the price, and there was a small un-utilized area of people who weren't willing to pay for Windows. They either used linux because they wanted to, or because they're cheap. Now with the low-end Vista, MS can get a little of that market too. This fixes the problem where small countries use linux, at the very least.

BTW, Airlines do the same thing by making tickets more expensive closer to the flight, so that people who really need to fly on the spur of the moment (business) pay more, in addition to business and first class. This pricing scheme isn't a part of monopoly, it's usually catering to wants in addition to needs (I want a bigger seat on the plane). MS, being a monopoly tho, gets to cheat and instead of offering more to everyone (which they could do, it costs them nothing), simply locks out features and plays on consumer penis-envy.

Well, that's it for your daily economics lesson.
Cheers,
Moogle

[BK @ Feb 27th 2006 9:57AM]

"Vista Enterprise -- Includes everything in Basic but includes improved encryption and BitLocker system to keep data from being read on a stolen computer."

So, in other words, the basic version has low-level, hackable, encryption? This is like MS' other stunt, where they want to charge $50/year to maintain/repair your Windows security.

[Spencer @ Feb 27th 2006 10:18AM]

Meh, OS/2 syndrome. OS/2 had many different versions put out by the same company. Businesses had trouble figuring out which version to use, and tech support was a nightmare.

This is different from Linux: it's mainstream, and it costs money. Additionally, the only difference is varying levels of stripped-down or locked-down features.

Linux distros are preloaded with many programs and are free. The key differences between them are the GUI, (Do you want KDE or Gnome? Or both?) the included programs/libraries, (None of which are "locked-out" in other versions) and where you get your tech support.

Not, "Hey, for $100, you can have a basic OS. For an extra $50, you can have an inconsenquential extra feature. For another $50, you can get something that should have been included in the first place." *cough*extortion*cough*

[John @ Feb 27th 2006 10:35AM]

instead of them trying to make more money ( like they REALLY need it ) they should just make Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium one product

[chuck @ Feb 27th 2006 10:36AM]

okay, as a computer user I have noticed that XP home has fallen short for too many users. I think what they should do is release 3 versions of vista:
1. Everything
2. Everything-N (no media player)
3. almost-Everything (for other countries)

Now everyone (in a particular country) has the same version of windows. this makes compatibility better. when Im on xp-pro and im on the phone with my mother who has home, i have some tools that she doesnt have, and I will tell her to use XXXX and she will be like " I dont have that", its a headache.

My Father needs windows for some specialized CAD software he runs, my mother, otoh could use linux osx or windows. once he retires, Im gonna try to get the whole family on Linux. Yea, Linux is that much easier (for me at least)

[Eric @ Feb 27th 2006 11:00AM]

"LAME. They could've just converge business, enterprise, and ultimate."

No. Enterprise buying customers would not pay for the bells and whistles that come in ultimate. Not to mention the Aero GI requires graphics cards that enterprise customers don't have. Vista Starter and Vista Enterprise will not be found in stores so really we only have 4 options, which is fine. I just wonder if ultimate includes the encryption that enterprise offers.

[James Grahame @ Feb 27th 2006 11:01AM]

Who on Earth would buy a product marketed as "Home Basic?!" Just imagine: "Hi, this is Mr. Johnson. I'd like to purchase the SONY Crystalscreen Basic EUIU-2098V Television, please."

[Richard @ Feb 27th 2006 11:03AM]

Ok, this is just rediculous.

This is a very nice way to squeeze money out of us enthusiasts, who just aren't content to run the "home" edition. With XP, we ran pro, but now that's not an option because the pro version (business/enterprise) doesn't include important home features (xbox 360 streaming, aero interface).

Here's a suggestion, Microsoft. Release one version. Call it Vista (or prefferably find a name that's BETTER than the codname "longhorn", not worse). Sell it on shiny plastic disks. Milk another truckload out of your cash cow. But no, you have to squeeze more money wherever you can, from people who need the extra features.

Call me a linux fanboy. Or a mac zealot. But this is bullshit. I hate microsoft. I don't care what replaces it, just GET YOUR PIECE OF SHIT EXTORTION SYSTEM THE FUCK AWAY FROM MY COMPUTER.

[MT @ Feb 27th 2006 11:08AM]

Way to streamline, guys!

[Alex @ Feb 27th 2006 11:49AM]

This isn't all so bad. Really, they just chose poor names for the products. If anything, the DID streamline things. Home Basic is like XP Home. Home Premium is like MCE. Ultimate is like XP Pro+MCE. The real consumers will totally ignore the other options, and businesses will ignore the home options. It's the way it's always been. MS has removed Tablet Ed. so that's one less edition to worry about. And they added Pro functionality to MCE with Ultimate, so that's good too.

[GanzHimself @ Feb 27th 2006 12:02PM]

Ok... To the people complaining about paying a yearly fee for Windows Secuirty tools: Think of it as preventative maintenance. If you own an automobile, you surely are paying for maintenance and upkeep on a regular basis... Oil changes, tune-ups, etc... Sure, GM, Ford, Toyota, Honda, etc, could make better cars that require less maintenance... But they make a boatload of money selling parts to you to maintain your car. Basically the same deal here, people. Microsoft could (probably) make a better OS that doesn't require a dedicated virus/spyware/malware scanner or updates... But that would cost them a lot more $$ and time to do. Not to mention that no piece of software is invulnerable to attack. So, there's still going to be holes and flaws that will inevitably be exploited by viruses or whatnot. Bottom line is, if you don't want to pay to maintain your system through Microsoft... Don't. There are tons of other options out there to keep your system clean. Or, buy a Mac, or use Linux... Even though Mac is starting to show security problems too. Hell, if you don't want to spend money to maintain your computer, you might as well just not connect to the internet. Hell, I run OS X most of the time and only use my Windows box for a few games and apps that I need to use from time to time...

[duke @ Feb 27th 2006 12:42PM]

i can imagine that VistaUltimate.iso with keygen floating around p2p networks in a very near future.

[murc @ Feb 27th 2006 1:37PM]

I plan on getting the "Vista Home Premium" edition...since I wont do anything business related on it.

Cant wait to get it...I plan on DL the Beta 2, which is the public test version...should show up in April.

[Aron @ Feb 27th 2006 1:39PM]

The notion that consumers should have to pay Microsoft for "preventative maintenance" on a product that is already faulty out of the box is ridiculous.

What happened to Microsoft asking me where I want to go today? I don't know where I want to go today, but I guess I should pay more money to Microsoft in case I figure it out or change my mind.

Moogle hits it right on the head - the economics are right there. Microsoft realizes that they can get money from people they might not otherwise get if they release cheaper versions of the same product.

=aron=

[smckane @ Feb 27th 2006 1:42PM]

Ummm, guys.... those 6 are the 8 announced next week, you've just left off the -N versions from your long list. Nothing new here - what's the fuss?

ATM we have XP Starter, Home, Pro, MCE, Tablet, 2003 (and a million and one there), Mobile, Smartphone - whoopy-di-doo, they've wrapped a few up together, so what?

Most people will end up using Vista, at work, at home or on the move - same as XP now. In the end, how many care which they actually use - we'll all use Home Premium or Ultimate given the choice!

Personally, I do agree - why not just basic for old machines, main for most people, and enterprise for businesses who need volume spanning yadda yadda yadda that I don't. Hey ho ;-)

[Justin @ Feb 27th 2006 1:44PM]

Another important aspect to consider are the pre-loaded PC's you buy at your favorite local electronics store. What if you really like this Toshiba hardware, but it comes with the wrong edition? How will manufacturers determine which version to load onto their computers? We (electronics/computer stores) have enough problems telling Joe Customer the differences between Home and MCE, and even more problems making sure Joe Prosumer gets the Pro version.

Are we working towards more mail/internet/phone order PC's and seeing the end of going into your local store and picking something off the shelf?

Mark my words, as much as I hate Dell, they will prosper from this...

[Isurus @ Feb 27th 2006 1:53PM]

Odds are that the paying for the "preventive maintenance" is a result of the anti-trust suits that have been filed against Microsoft. Companies already complain about having an Internet Browser and Media Player included with ever purchase of Windows. If Microsoft gave away virus protection, it would just add more fuel to the fire burning against them.

[Isurus @ Feb 27th 2006 2:08PM]

"Moogle hits it right on the head - the economics are right there. Microsoft realizes that they can get money from people they might not otherwise get if they release cheaper versions of the same product."

Wrong. Microsoft realizes that if they don't charge for every little thing that anti-trust suits will be knocking on the door. You don't even know how much the OS version will cost, so you can't really even justify any consumer cost concepts. Just because they have different version doesn't mean that their strategy is to rip everyone off. They are probably trying to avoid anti-trust suits against them by offering stripped down packages. They also may be trying to expand the user base (thereby increasing revenue) by offering cheaper versions that do not include features that the end user won't need (similar to their strategy with the Xbox 360).

[glacia00 @ Feb 27th 2006 2:53PM]

All this hand wringing and fretting over MS demons hiding under beds. The only odd thing here is that people work so hard to find something to complain about in a product they know almost nothing about and have no intention of using.

It's an oddity of human nature that we find excuses for the flaws in those people and things we support when we should actually expect more from them. After all if you think 'whoever' isn't speaking to you with their 'whatever' then why do you expect so much from them? They're not talking to you.

[Jimmy @ Feb 27th 2006 2:59PM]

I'll prolly get home premium

I wonder how much ultimate will cost

[Joe Loy @ Feb 27th 2006 3:22PM]

Mac OS is really in for some trouble. =(

[Mark @ Feb 27th 2006 3:39PM]

12 - Actually, no. Business would be more suited for those who are self-employed, while Enterprise would be more suited for larger companies.

I don't see what the fuss is about. The average user will consider either home editions (depending on usage), the businesses will buy the version depending on the size of their company, and the ultimate edition will be considered by those who want everything. I can't see what the whining is about

[Nobuyuki Idei @ Feb 27th 2006 4:10PM]

Funny how the Europeans, in a effort to "protect" the consumer, is causing actual less value to be delivered to the consumer. Nice job. And this is not the only example of that.

[GanzHimself @ Feb 27th 2006 4:48PM]

#24 - You say that like Microsoft is going to start charging for securty patches too... They release FREE patches to fix the obvious problems when they come up, much like Ford or GM initiate recalls, and replace parts for free when they implemented some unsafe part, etc... They fix what would be called "Faulty out of the box," as you put it. The OS (should)work out of the box as intended... It's the malicious intent of others that find flaws and exploit them. I'm willing to bet that there has been no single piece of software that has ever been 100% secure, 100% complete (perfect), and 100% compatable on various combos of WinTel hardware... Yes, having to pay Microshaft more money for an active security solution could be them "double dipping," but I wouldn't cry wolf until they're actually screwing people over by not releasing crtitical security patces to "Geniune Windows Advantage" customers. If they bundled the antivirus and antispyware into Vista and didn't charge for it, there would be a huge antitrust shitstorm... Once again, if people don't like it, they're not going to pay for it. That's the beauty of capitalism, the consumer drives the market... If it flops, Microsoft will discontinue it like they have discontinued countless other "good ideas" that flopped.

[Michael Honore @ Feb 27th 2006 4:59PM]

Yall are losing it. The hating has got your minds warped. One person picks one version. If they don't want to spend alot they get the cheaper version. If you have one 300 dollar OS to choose from you would all complain. You have the obvious, generic, everyday choices of low, mid, and high. The other two are business and they did a nice job of offering one to enthusiast that want it all.

[Warren @ Feb 27th 2006 5:54PM]

In the copy i have the febuary CTP build (off of MSDN of corse) 100% legal, it has the sidebar back on, which they copied mac on the widgets btw.... and it comes with Media Center Edition, so whats the deal with that, will it be included in the full version? and whats the deal with Tablet edition.

[Steve @ Feb 27th 2006 5:58PM]

Well said, Michael! Microsoft is actually giving the consumers a choice. I love Microsoft and (most of) their products. Sweeeet!

[mike @ Feb 27th 2006 7:38PM]

This pricing scheme isn't a part of monopoly, it's usually catering to wants in addition to needs (I want a bigger seat on the plane). MS, being a monopoly tho, gets to cheat and instead of offering more to everyone (which they could do, it costs them nothing), simply locks out features and plays on consumer penis-envy.

Well, that's it for your daily economics lesson.
Cheers,
Moogle

--------------

You want an economics lesson? It's called Price differentiation. Everyone does it. Everyone. Apple has about 5 different iPods. Each has a different price and different feature sets. It makes perfect sense. Some people are willing to pay more, so you offer a variety of 'grades'...

This IS about profit maximization. Releasing just ONE version would be stupid.


Notice how Apple doesn't release as many? They have OS X and OS X Server.

They're NOT a software company, they are a hardware company.

There you go.

[Dylan @ Feb 27th 2006 7:58PM]

No, this doesn't really make sense. What are college students going to use? Home Basic? Home Premium? Enterprise? Business? The names and features are way too specific.

I can just imagine the nightmares when home basic can't network correctly or all the college's labs have tools from enterprise that none of the students have on their home-equipped laptops.

I really don't see what's so bad about just having one or two versions.

[GG @ Feb 27th 2006 8:34PM]

Correction - Ultimate(the one we'll probably have installed on our computers. wink wink)

[Stone @ Feb 28th 2006 12:11AM]

Only 6? No, more like 17, if you count the two Euro versions plus the 7 64-bit versions (Starter doesn't have a 64-bit counter-part). Crap! My head hurts.

[Hobbie @ Feb 28th 2006 2:10AM]

I agree with one of the previous posts. Microsoft should still release Critical Security Patches for free but leave me with an option as to which Anti-Virus, Spyware, firwall solution I want to use.
Microsofts Security solution is going to be ripped to shreads by the hackers trying to find errors and I'd like to use another option.

[glacia00 @ Feb 28th 2006 2:24PM]

"I agree with one of the previous posts. Microsoft should still release Critical Security Patches for free but leave me with an option as to which Anti-Virus, Spyware, firwall solution I want to use.
Microsofts Security solution is going to be ripped to shreads by the hackers trying to find errors and I'd like to use another option."

A lot of odd mis-information posted here.

Updates to XP have always been free and MS is unlikely to change that. You have a variety of ways to get them from manual DL, auto-notify when available, auto DL but don't install until I say so, auto DL & Install. Or don't update at all.

Also there is nothing about the current MS OS's that prevents you from using your own Anti-Virus, Spyware, firwall apps so I doubt they are going to change that.

You can use the MS firewall in conjuction with other FW apps or turn it off with a checkbox. You have to opt to use their spyware so that's an easy one. If you don't want it don't install it or use it in conjunction with any number of other SW apps. And as far as Antivirus apps, MS doesn't currently have one although they do ocassionally release small apps for removing a specific virus. So use whatever you like.

[Hobbie @ Feb 28th 2006 4:30PM]

I was obviously a bit unclear on this. I am very aware of the current setup options for XP. I use other Firewall and antivirus software. I got the impression from these posts that Microsoft is going to offer the firewall and antivirus/spyware section as a paid addon. I may have understood that wrong.

If I post my thoughts as a question maybe. Will critical updates continue to be free in Vista or are they going to be part of the pay package? As long as they keep these vital bits free, I have no problems in Microsoft offering extra features for a price. Just dont force me to pay extra for a whole protection solution when all I really need, and would ever use, are the security patches.

[glacia00 @ Feb 28th 2006 9:28PM]

The service mentioned very vaguely earlier for $50 has nothing to do with security updates.

It's a future service that is in direct competition with Symantec's "Genesis project". Both are likely to fizzle but they are similar with AntiVirus, Firewall, Online Backup & Diagnosis and probably other stuff. The fee, if you choose to sign up, is for updates to that stuff.

You will still get the security updates that are free now, it will still have the basic bult-in firewall and since nothing is preventing you from signing up with Symantecs similarly priced service so you will still be able to use other apps for all of the above. People just want to freak about nothing sometimes so you just gotta let 'em.

[Fire Hazard @ Mar 21st 2006 8:35PM]

this is just stupid, I am going to have to learn about what all these OSs have and don't have and it is just stupid. Make 1 OS and call it vista with all the features! Just do that to make it less complicated. It is already complicated enough with peps running Home and Pro and not only that but nobody seems to use xp home, everyone i know uses xp pro at home. Come on M$ would it kill you to not be gready and just make one version for everyone especialy since they will all be on the same disk.

[James @ Mar 22nd 2006 10:39AM]

To #22 about yearly subscription: Out of the many years I have used a computer, I've gotten very few spyware/adware, that I easily caught and removed by myself. I will never pay M$ for a yearly subscription to something that they, themself caused the problem of. You're paying M$ to not fix the problems, but remove the problem once it's already infected your computer. That seems backwards. We should be paying them to fix the OS and not make a fix after we've already been infected.

[Finished.Law.School @ Apr 19th 2006 9:34PM]

This is fucking stupid. Vista is not even worth the upgrade at this point much less sorting through all of these fucking options...
Looks like I will be sticking with XP Pro for a long time...

[Matt @ Apr 22nd 2006 1:35PM]

I am an average user with minimal tech expertise, but i do understand all the cogs working here; M$ are the software monopoly, like it or not. Linux is not mainstream and apple is for the hardware, especially after bootcamp. Nobody posting here is serioulsy going to stick with XP. its old, and if one thing in the tech market is a constant, then its change (IBM ad inspiration here (:) Many people here are wrong, ENTERPRISE will include everything inclusive of the features in lower end versions. This is the version that everyone will have- like XP pro, any users who know how to save themselves hard earned cash will use piracy to obtain the best version, XP home users are thin on the ground these days, and it will turn out the same for low end vista versions. As usual everyone will ignore the EU and the -N versions will be simply disregarded - i hate the eu, im a brit :)

There was a good point earlier about manufactures deciding what versions will be pre installed on machines. The answer to this will be that the manufacturers will no longer decide. With HD DVD and BLu Ray (ignoring the issue over blu ray support in vista for the moment) m$ will issue all the versions on a single disk, and when you buy the computer, you choose the liscense you want, and you then install the OS with the license you purchased.

Now, to this issue of yearly maintenance subscriptions... M$ will be forced to drop it, and even if not, then 3rd parties will rival it and consumers will support those instead. Monoply maybe, but M$ does occaisionally listen to their consumers, and judging from the support it has here, they are gonna have a hard time marketing it. I am downloading Public Beta 2 in April/May, so I'm sure most questions will be answered then. One things for sure, XP is dead, and once people realise they are sitting on a bag of bones, vista will inevitably become the new global OS.

I support piracy, so all i hope is that Vista is piratable!


M_A_T_T
email- [e-mail], please feel free to mail me any replies!