Windows Vista Version Comparison

[Rob Williams]

On Monday, we discussed whether or not Ultimate was worth your time or money. Today we will be comparing all four consumer versions of Vista together to better help you make the right decision.

Read our third article in our Vista series this week. Discuss it once finished reading!

Warning - those who purchase the OEM product, which is technically only for distribution with a new computer - will find out that it only has a single version i.e., you will not find both the 32-bit and the 64-bit versions in the box. I believe the retail Upgrade or Full Versions will have both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Can someone confirm that?

[Kilamon]

What's with the distinction for dual CPU in there? Why is M$ supporting or NOT supporting dual cpus based on it's OS version? XP supports it now.

[Rob Williams]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Warning - those who purchase the OEM product, which is technically only for distribution with a new computer - will find out that it only has a single version i.e., you will not find both the 32-bit and the 64-bit versions in the box. I believe the retail Upgrade or Full Versions will have both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Can someone confirm that?

Not sure.. I will see what I can find out. I have a special version DVD with 32-Bit versions only, so I can't confirm anything. But... I believe you are right. Maybe that's why the OEM's are so cheap?

Originally Posted by Kilamon

What's with the distinction for dual CPU in there? Why is M$ supporting or NOT supporting dual cpus based on it's OS version? XP supports it now.

I'm going to be looking into this. In essence, that would mean Quad FX owners -have- to buy Vista Ultimate in order to use their extra CPU. Not a wise choice by Microsoft as far as I am concerned.

I have discovered that XP MEDIA CENTER EDITION is not compatible with Palm software (after purchasing a new computer with MCE - and not being told by Dell). Neither Dell nor Palm can tell me if this problem will be resolved when I upgrade to VISTA PREMIUM!! I am also told the only way to change this situation is to buy another new computer with a non-media center operating system; I cannot up/downgrade the OS on my INSPIRION E1405!! Is this actually true!!?? Why haven't I heard from other Palm Users out there?? I daresay there are a few! Thanks for any thoughts! Chris

[Rob Williams]

Does this PALM software require a handheld to be tested? I could test install some software if I don't need the handheld.

I fail to understand why the software does not work with MCE though. MCE is essentially XP Professional with a few add-ons. I do find that foolish though. Just let me know what the software is and I can see if it installs/runs fine.

Thank you for your quick response. My handheld is a Tungsten E2. The installation disk that came with it simply says "Tungsten E2 Desktop Software for Windows / Palm One" I can't believe Dell would tell me that XP Media Center OS is not compatible with Palm software, if the difference is simply that this is a "Desktop" software disk!! I am running an Inspiron E1405 laptop. Thanks again, Chris

[Rob Williams]

Hey Chris,

I don't think I understand what you mean exactly, or what's the problem. The software is for your PALM right, for syncing purposes? Have you tried to install the software under your MCE, or does it give an error?

I just don't understand why it would not work under your version of Windows. It's not like you have an alien version... it's just XP Pro with a new name.

As for Dell being misleading... I agree.

The article is a little bit misleading regarding the dual CPU's.

People will read it and thing it means that a dual core CPU won't be supported in Home Premium. That's simply not true. Having two dual core CPU's however, if you had some server grade motherboard, would not be. You could run a 4 core or 8 core CPU in Home Premium no problem. Vista is built for multi-core processors.

[Rob Williams]

I do agree with you, I will add a small side note beside that factor. I don't think it was misleading though... it's just how people read it. It's against Dual CPU's, not Dual Core CPU's.

Still, I find the fact that it wouldn't worth with Dual CPUs to be foolish.

Damn...I read about the Vista Coupons somewhere that XP Pro -> Business. No games? No Bitlocker? No Movie Maker/DVD Maker?

What about that upgrade-to-another-version-of-Vista? It'll cost me $139 to go from my 'free' Business to the Ultimate. So the end user with XP Pro can only pay $139 for Vista Ultimate, right? Or am I missing another "inflated-ego" cost?

~Ibrahim~

[Rob Williams]

Windows Ultimate upgrade costs $259USD regardless of what version of XP you own. So, XP Pro to Ultimate is that price mentioned above. I'm not sure where the $139USD quote came from, but if you had Vista Business, it would cost $99 (I believe) to upgrade to Ultimate.

So... it's expensive either way :/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows...ns_and_pricing

Hi,

I read somewhere that Ultimate has Remote Desktop, but the other versions do not (such as Home Premium). Does that mean I don't have RD available to connect into my work PC? Or is it that I can't remote connect into my machine running Vista Home Premium? This might be the deciding factor for me.

Mike.

[Rob Williams]

I am not familiar with either, but from what I understand, this is what each has:

Basic: Remote Assistance
Home Premium: Remote Assistance
Business: Remote Desktop
Ultimate: Remote Desktop

I'm not sure of the difference, but like I said, I never used either before. I assume Remote Desktop is a full featured app though, while Remote Assistance is something simple. I couldn't get Remote Desktop to work when I gave it a try, so I left it.

[Jakal]

You read correctly. Home Premium doesn't have Remote Desktop functionality.

I'm can't say Vista will support this program, but LogMeIn offers the same security and features of the Remote Desktop function. I've known a few who've used it, and enjoy it's functionality.