I've noticed many threads on the forum which ask for advice on which Vista to choose. This thread will be dedicated to the differences between the different flavors.
First, here are the four main flavors of Vista. They are arranged from least features to most features. Keep in mind that (N) versions exist in Europe (to satisfy anti-trust laws), the International (crippled) version and Enterprise edition are out there, but none are really worth discussing here. Details on what each does will appear at the bottom of this post.
CHOICE #1: Vista Flavors and Current Prices (February 2007):
Since 32-bit is the gold standard, the real question is, 'Should I go 64-bit?'. The main considerations are whether or not your hardware is supported under 64-bit Vista (drivers), if your games + apps will run under 64-bit Vista and whether or not you'll be upgrading from a 32-bit install. *Note.. 64-bit Vista cannot upgrade a 32-bit OS, although there appears to be a work-around for performing a clean install using upgrade discs.
CHOICE #3: OEM, Upgrade or Retail (full)?
OEM, Upgrade and Retail version of Vista contain all of the same features when installed. However, the difference lie in price, licensing and install options.
Other Considerations...
It's worth mentioning that the upgrade paths from previous versions of Windows will vary. Here are some quick points.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx
Memory and CPU support
First, here are the four main flavors of Vista. They are arranged from least features to most features. Keep in mind that (N) versions exist in Europe (to satisfy anti-trust laws), the International (crippled) version and Enterprise edition are out there, but none are really worth discussing here. Details on what each does will appear at the bottom of this post.
CHOICE #1: Vista Flavors and Current Prices (February 2007):
- Windows Vista Home Basic - OEM ($95) / Upgrade ($105) / Retail ($192)
- Windows Vista Home Premium - OEM ($120) / Upgrade ($155) / Retail ($228)
- Windows Vista Business - OEM ($150) / Upgrade ($192 / Retail ($285
- Windows Vista Ultimate - OEM ($200) / Upgrade ($249) / (Retail ($378)
Since 32-bit is the gold standard, the real question is, 'Should I go 64-bit?'. The main considerations are whether or not your hardware is supported under 64-bit Vista (drivers), if your games + apps will run under 64-bit Vista and whether or not you'll be upgrading from a 32-bit install. *Note.. 64-bit Vista cannot upgrade a 32-bit OS, although there appears to be a work-around for performing a clean install using upgrade discs.
- 32-bit 'x86' - Compatible with all current Intel/AMD desktop processors
- 64-bit 'x64' - 64-bit version runs only on 64-bit platforms. (Eg. 'Athlon 64', Newer Intel P4s and 'Intel Cores' and other newer CPUs)
- A random article decides x86 is still best for most users: http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/1426/vista_64_bit_or_32_bit_version_x64_vs_x86
- Another random article discusses this topic: http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/5709
- Random Benchmark comparison: http://64-bit-computers.com/windows-vista-32-bit-vs-64-bit-benchmark.html
CHOICE #3: OEM, Upgrade or Retail (full)?
OEM, Upgrade and Retail version of Vista contain all of the same features when installed. However, the difference lie in price, licensing and install options.
Retail:
This full version of Vista has no limitations. Retail can perform clean and upgrade installs. Retail can be transferred to upgraded or entirely new systems as long as only one copy is installed at a time. Retail also includes full support from Microsoft and is the most expensive edition.
Upgrade:
This limited version of Vista can only perform upgrade installs on existing installations of qualifying Windows products. However, there appears to be a work-around for Upgrade to perform clean installs, like Retail and OEM versions. Upgrade may be transferred to an upgraded or entirely new system as long as only one copy is installed a time. Upgrade includes full support from Microsoft and is mid-priced.
OEM:
This limited version of Vista can only perform a clean install and cannot upgrade. The EULA has been changed from XP OEM and Vista OEM now states that it can only be installed on one computer and is forever bound to that computer (motherboard). This has raised eyebrows, but various tech sources online have indicated that Microsoft's product activation center is not currently enforcing this rule, but only showing concern for whether or not your copy of OEM Vista is installed on 1 or more computers. This rule in the EULA may only be a technicality to discourage people from buying less-expensive OEM versions instead of Upgrade or Retail. However, even if MS gives you an activation key for your upgraded or new system, you are still technically violating the EULA and MS may choose to take action in the future. OEM is intended for system builders you must provide your own support. OEM is the least expensive edition.
Features List - Simplified chartThis full version of Vista has no limitations. Retail can perform clean and upgrade installs. Retail can be transferred to upgraded or entirely new systems as long as only one copy is installed at a time. Retail also includes full support from Microsoft and is the most expensive edition.
Upgrade:
This limited version of Vista can only perform upgrade installs on existing installations of qualifying Windows products. However, there appears to be a work-around for Upgrade to perform clean installs, like Retail and OEM versions. Upgrade may be transferred to an upgraded or entirely new system as long as only one copy is installed a time. Upgrade includes full support from Microsoft and is mid-priced.
OEM:
This limited version of Vista can only perform a clean install and cannot upgrade. The EULA has been changed from XP OEM and Vista OEM now states that it can only be installed on one computer and is forever bound to that computer (motherboard). This has raised eyebrows, but various tech sources online have indicated that Microsoft's product activation center is not currently enforcing this rule, but only showing concern for whether or not your copy of OEM Vista is installed on 1 or more computers. This rule in the EULA may only be a technicality to discourage people from buying less-expensive OEM versions instead of Upgrade or Retail. However, even if MS gives you an activation key for your upgraded or new system, you are still technically violating the EULA and MS may choose to take action in the future. OEM is intended for system builders you must provide your own support. OEM is the least expensive edition.
Code:
### INTERFACE FEATURES
Basic Premium Business Ultimate
Flip 3D X Yes Yes Yes
Aero 3D X Yes Yes Yes
### BUNDLED SOFTWARE
Basic Premium Business Ultimate
Windows Media Center X Yes Yes Yes
Windows Media Player 11 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Photo Gallery Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows DVD Maker
Windows Movie Maker X Yes X Yes
'Premium' Games X Yes Yes Yes
Sidebar Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Calendar Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Contacts Yes Yes Yes Yes
Internet Explorer 7 Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Mail Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Mobility Center Partial Partial Yes Yes
### SECURITY & NETWORK FEATURES
Basic Premium Business Ultimate
Join Windows domain X X Yes Yes
Concurrent Network 5 10 10 10
Connections
Net Projector Ready X Yes Yes Yes
Presentation Config X Yes Yes Yes
IIS Web Server X X Yes Yes
User Account Control Yes Yes Yes Yes
Parental Controls Yes Yes X Yes
IE7 Protection mode
Wireless Utility Yes Yes Yes Yes
### DATA IMPROVEMENTS AND PROTECTION
Basic Premium Business Ultimate
ShadowCopy X X Yes Yes
Scheduled Backup X Yes Yes Yes
System Image Backup X X Yes Yes
Encrypting File System X X Yes Yes
BitLocker Drive Encrypt X X X Yes
### OTHER FEATURES
Basic Premium Business Ultimate
Tablet fuctionality X Yes Yes Yes
Touch Screen Capability X Yes Yes Yes
Ultimate "Extras" X X X Yes
Microsoft Anytime Upgrade Yes Yes Yes X
Document Sharing Support X Yes Yes Yes
Other Considerations...
It's worth mentioning that the upgrade paths from previous versions of Windows will vary. Here are some quick points.
- Windows 9x and Windows Me are not upgradeable.
- Windows XP Home Users can upgrade to any version of Windows Vista
- Windows XP Media Center users can upgrade to Home Premium and Ultimate Editions.
- Windows XP Pro users can upgrade only to Business or Ultimate editions
- Users of Windows x64 can upgrade to 64-bit versions of Windows Vista.
- 32-bit Windows users cannot upgrade to 64-bit Vista.
- 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
- 512 MB of system memory
- 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space
- Support for DirectX 9 graphics and 32 MB of graphics memory
- DVD-ROM drive
- Audio Output
- Internet access
- 1GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor (I strongly recommend faster)
- 1GB of system memory
- Support for DirectX9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128MB of graphics memory (minimum) Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32bits per pixel
- 40GB of hard drive capacity with 15GB free space
- DVD-ROM Drive
- Audio output capability
- Internet access capability
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx
Memory and CPU support
- Home Basic supports up to 8GB of RAM and 1 CPU (Unlimited cores).
- Home Premium supports up to 16GB of RAM and 1 CPU (Unlimited cores)
- Business and Ultimate editions support up to 128GB and 2 CPUs with unlimited cores