Windows Vista Product Editions Revealed

[SidVicious]

Two days before the start of Professional Developers Conference (PDC) 2005, I've received exclusive insider information about the product editions, or SKUs, which Microsoft intends to create for Windows Vista (codenamed Longhorn). While the exact breakdown of the Windows Vista editions has been the subject of much speculation, this list closely matches the editions list I first published on the SuperSite for Windows last year. Here's how the Windows Vista product editions break down.

There will be two general categories of Windows Vista editions, which map closely to the two that exist today for XP ("Home," which comprises Starter, Home, and Media Center Editions, Pro, which includes Professional, Professional x64, and Tablet PC Editions). In Windows Vista, the two categories are Home and Business. In the Home category, Microsoft will create four product editions: Windows Vista Starter Edition, Windows Vista Home Basic Edition, Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, and Windows Vista Ultimate Edition (previously known as "Uber" Edition). In the Business category, there will are three editions: Windows Vista Small Business Edition, Windows Vista Professional Edition, and Windows Vista Enterprise Edition. In all, there are 7 product editions planned for Windows Vista

Here's how the product editions will break down:

Windows Vista Starter Edition: Aimed at beginner computer users in emerging markets who can only afford a low cost PC. As with the XP version, Windows Vista Starter Edition is a subset of Home Edition, and will ship in a 32-bit version only (no 64-bit x64 version). Starter Edition will allow only three applications (and/or three windows) to run simultaneously, will provide Internet connectivity but not incoming network communications, and will not provide for logon passwords or Fast User Switching (FUS). Windows Vista Starter Edition is analogous to XP Starter Edition. This version will only be sold in emerging markets.

Windows Vista Home Basic Edition: A simple version of Windows Vista that is aimed at single PC homes. Windows Vista Home Basic is the baseline version of Windows Vista, and the version that all other product editions will build from. It will include features such as Windows Firewall, Windows Security Center, secure wireless networking, parental controls, anti-spam/anti-virus/anti-spyware functionality, network map, Windows Search, the Aero user interface, Movie Maker, Photo Library, Windows Media Player, Outlook Express with RSS support, P2P Messenger, and more. Windows Vista Home Basic Edition is roughly analogous to Windows XP Home Edition. This version is aimed at general consumers, Windows 9x/XP Starter Edition upgraders, and price sensitive/first-time buyers.

Windows Vista Home Premium Edition: Whole home entertainment and personal productivity throughout the home and on the go. As a true superset of Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium Edition will include everything from Home Basic, as well as Media Center and Media Center Extender functionality (including Cable Card support), DVD video authoring and HDTV support, DVD ripping support (yes, you read that right), Tablet PC functionality, Mobility Center and other mobility and presentation features, auxiliary display support, P2P ad-hoc meeting capabilities, Wi-Fi auto-config and roaming, unified parental controls that work over multiple PCs, backup to network functionality, Internet File Sharing, Offline Folders, PC-to-PC sync, Sync Manager, and support for Quattro Home Server. Windows Vista Premium Edition is similar to XP Media Center Edition, except that it adds numerous other features and functionality, including Tablet PC support. My guess is that this will be the volume consumer offering in the Windows Vista timeframe (today, XP Pro is the dominant seller). This version is aimed at PC enthusiasts, multiple-PC homes, homes with kids, and notebook users.

Windows Vista Professional Edition: A powerful, reliable and secure OS for businesses of all sizes. Windows Vista Pro Edition will include domain join and management functionality, compatibility with non-Microsoft networking protocols (Netware, SNMP, etc.), Remote Desktop, IIS Web server, and Encrypted File System (EFS). Additionally, Pro Standard will include Tablet PC functionality. Windows Vista Pro is roughly analogous to XP Pro today. This version is aimed at business decision makers and IT managers and generalists.

Windows Vista Small Business Edition: Designed for small businesses without IT staff. Small Business Edition is a superset of Vista Pro Standard Edition, and includes the following unique features: Backup and Shadow Copy support, Castle and server-join networking, and PC fax and scanning utility. Additionally, Microsoft is looking at including a number of other features, many of which might be cut: These include Small Business Edition guided tour, pre-paid access to the Windows Live! Small Business or Microsoft Office Live! subscription services, Multi-PC Health (a managed version of Microsoft One Care Live), and membership in the Microsoft Small Business Club online service. Microsoft will offer a Step-Up program for Small Business Edition that will allow customers to upgrade to Windows Vista Pro Premium Edition (see below) or Windows Vista Ultimate Edition (see below) at a reduced cost. This SKU is new to Windows Vista; there is no XP Small Business Edition. This version is aimed at small business owners and managers.

Windows Vista Enterprise Edition: Optimized for the enterprise, this version will be a true superset of Windows Vista Pro Edition. It will also include unique features such as Virtual PC, the multi-language user interface (MUI), and the Secure Startup/full volume encryption security technologies ("Cornerstone"). There is no analogous XP version for this product. This version is aimed at business decision makers, IT managers and decision makers, and information workers/general business users.

Windows Vista Ultimate Edition: The best operating system ever offered for a personal PC, optimized for the individual. Windows Vista Ultimate Edition is a superset of both Vista Home Premium and Vista Pro Edition, so it includes all of the features of both of those product versions, plus adds Game Performance Tweaker with integrated gaming experiences, a Podcast creation utility (under consideration, may be cut from product), and online "Club" services (exclusive access to music, movies, services and preferred customer care) and other offerings (also under consideration, may be cut from product). Microsoft is still investigating how to position its most impressive Windows release yet, and is looking into offering Ultimate Edition owners such services as extended A1 subscriptions, free music downloads, free movie downloads, Online Spotlight and entertainment software, preferred product support, and custom themes. There is nothing like Vista Ultimate Edition today. This version is aimed at high-end PC users and technology influencers, gamers, digital media enthusiasts, and students.

According to internal Microsoft documentation, the goal of the product edition differentiations in Windows Vista is to provide "clear value proposition" to all customer segments and take XP-era innovations, such as the Media Center and Tablet PC functionality, to the mainstream. Windows Vista is also being positioned as a transitionary product for the x64 platform: Almost all Windows Vista editions will be offered in both x86 (32-bit) and x64 (64-bit) versions. Microsoft expects to transition almost completely to x64 post-Vista.

I'll be expanding on this information in a showcase for the SuperSite for Windows, which you can expect to see on Monday. In the meantime, I wanted to get this information out as quickly as possible.

Source: http://www.windowsitpro.com/windowspaulthu...rott_47665.html

[NeoXY]

holy....7 editions of Vista?...o.O

[k22]

LOL i thought Vista was named that because it would provide clarity in a world of confusion...

[amrinders87]

I wonder what the price will be for editions.

[Ianmac45]

so, basically, your left nut and your right leg

[Hurmoth]

Windows Vista Starter Edition - $50

Windows Vista Home Basic Edition - $150

Windows Vista Home Premium Edition - $200

Windows Vista Professional Edition - $250

Windows Vista Small Business Edition - $250

Windows Vista Enterprise Edition - $300

Windows Vista Ultimate Edition - $500

Knowing you've got the coolest operating system available - PRICELESS

Some things money can't buy, for everything else, there's MasterCard :laugh:

[Nexus]

7 versions. Well this is just going to confuse the S**t out of the typical user.

[dmp3]

Ohh man. I can't wait for the Windows Vista 7-in-1 CD to come out.

Haha... JUUUUUUUSSTT kidding. ;)

7-in-1? whats that? :p

Back on topic...

I was thinkin about buying a new computer soon, but now that I read that, I think I'll wait until Windows Vista comes out. My computer will be fine until then. They'll have some nice computers set up for those different versions.

EDIT: I dont know why, but now that I read it again, it doesn't seem very believable. Not that I'm saying the thread auther is lying, but... wherever he got it from.

[Andrew Lyle Global Moderator]

LOL i thought Vista was named that because it would provide clarity in a world of confusion...

586505239[/snapback]

lol, and point. You 1, Microsoft 0.

so, basically, your left nut and your right leg

586505265[/snapback]

HAHHAHA ROFL!!!! :rofl:

im sure everyone is gonna go for the best one... but we'll need to wait and see

[limok]

my guess as to why they have all these versions are to reduce anti trust cases against them, the prices may even be at a tight spread too

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

And they already know that everyone will be running downloaded versions of Ultimate anyway.

[jadkins555]

I really like the features in the Ultimate Edition, but which version I purchase will come down to what my campus offers. Which edition do you think will be academically licensed?

[Rob Veteran]

I think personally the Ultimate edition isn't going to interest me much. I intend to pay for this version so I think it'll be Home Premium that I go for. Sure, my e-penis won't be quite as large as if I had Ultimate but shelling out an extra ?50-100 for features I may not use isn't high on my priority list.

[DreadBoat89]

they should have kept the ultimate version... "uber editon"

premium version sounds like they are fusing tablet and media center together

[morficus]

this... is.. ridicule's...

7 versions is pointles.... :no:

why not just make

- Home

- Pro

- Enterprice

I can see it now... computer-savy ppl ripping off regular users... sayin that they MUST get the $500 'cause the rest are crap - lol

[Lee G. Veteran]

Starter Edition? That's stupid. Only 3 apps simultaneously? :o

I ran more apps than that simulataneously in Windows 3.1

I'll think I'll just get Windows Vista Ultimate when it comes out (somehow :shifty:)

[kurono]

my guess as to why they have all these versions are to reduce anti trust cases against them, the prices may even be at a tight spread too

586505287[/snapback]

In that case, I guess they forgot to announce the versions without the Media Players. :rofl:

[Dane]

holy ****.... Well Vista premium Home will do just fine for me, but what if i dont want media center? but why not get basic? Awww wtf microsoft i'm going to be like well uhhh...uhhhh which version do i want? Hmm maybe pro.

[Slimy]

Ohh man.  I can't wait for the Windows Vista 7-in-1 CD to come out.

586505285[/snapback]

lol you mean dvd don't you?

ultimate edition sounds very promising but i think starter edition is really pointless, but that's just me ;)

[NeoXY]

Windows Vista Starter Edition - $50

Windows Vista Home Basic Edition - $150

Windows Vista Home Premium Edition - $200

Windows Vista Professional Edition - $250

Windows Vista Small Business Edition - $250

Windows Vista Enterprise Edition - $300

Windows Vista Ultimate Edition - $500

Knowing you've got the coolest operating system available - PRICELESS

Some things money can't buy, for everything else, there's MasterCard :laugh:

586505262[/snapback]

:laugh:

but a even better question is which version a company say dell will enclude when buy one of their PCs?

[IGx89]

I'll definitely be getting the Ultimate edition, as long as they keep it <=$250, ideally <=$200.

[McSmiggins]

Plus the media player free ones for almost all 7 makes a hell of a lot of versions....

[rob2090]

I wonder what is the meaning of "free music download" in the Vista Ultimate Ed. Description... :shifty:

And the starter edition is still a big, bad JOKE. Starter or not, home or even pro (don't ask) is 10 times better, and sane decision. It takes from 1 to 3 weeks to get started if you're non-tech educated to get the basics. I'll never understand why Microsoft did this.

[Samoa]

Starter edition would likely be the only CD version, all others most likely DVD. Definately a 7-n-1 DVD would make the set complete. :cool:

[rob2090]

here's another thought....... Vista Ultimate with a custom slipstream :p but that's home brewed so...