Which Vista Operating System is Right for You?


When purchasing a new computer, you have several Vista operating systems to choose from including the Home, Professional and Enterprise Editions. You may also be wondering how the Vista versions compare to the XP version you have become accustomed to.

Luckily, choosing a Windows Operating System (OS) isn't rocket science, but you do have to think about what you plan to do with your new computer. Vista is available in five versions and runs best on high–end systems. Vista also has laptop and tablet PC features and is ready for flash drives. Here is a brief outline of the Vista operating systems.

Home Use

  • Windows Vista Home Basic – This is for basic computing; it has enough security for home use and can be installed on a simple network. This OS will run on PCs with at least 512 MB of RAM.

    Replaces: Windows XP Home

  • Windows Vista Home Premium – Has the computing elements of the Home version with the Media Center. A capable PC with this OS can be connected to a home entertainment system and will play movies, music, organize photos and access online content. This OS requires a high–end PC and a fast Internet connection.

    Replaces: Windows XP Media Center

Office Use
  • Windows Vista Business – This is for basic computing and has administration and networking tools and security devices for business use. It can run on basic PCs.
  • Windows Vista Enterprise – For large–scale, global companies. This version can handle multiple languages, a mobile workforce and Unicode.
  • Windows Vista Ultimate – Contains all business and home computing elements as well as the Media Center. Basically, this version does everything and requires a good system to run.

    Replaces: Windows XP Professonal and Professional x64

In this site, you’ll find articles related to operating systems, as well as comprehensive reviews and a side–by–side comparison to help you make an informed decision on which Windows Operating System is right for you. At TopTenREVIEWS — We do the research so you don’t have to.™

What to Look for in a Windows Operating System?

When considering a new Windows operating system it is most important to think about how you intend to use the computer. After deciding your computer's primary function, you will need to decide what kind of networking and administrations tools you need and the level of security you desire.

Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to evaluate Windows Operating Systems:

  • Home Use – We assessed the operating system in terms of how well it supports general home use; for example, it should have basic Internet security and be easy to use.
  • Office Use – OSs for office or business use need sophisticated Internet security, the capacity to network and ought to include administration tools.
  • Multimedia/Entertainment Use – Some OSs are designed to entertain, these can play/record television and music without supplementary software.
  • Security – All OSs should provide frequently updated security features such as firewalls, pop–up blockers, antivirus and antispyware software and more. OSs for business or network use require additional security and administrator tools.
  • Networking – Business and home OSs can be used in a network. These systems should offer administration tools and security.
  • Practical Use – The operating system should be practical for its intended use; for example, since the new Vista requires 1GB of RAM to run at its fullest potential it may not function well on some computers.
  • Laptop Use – Laptop or mobile specific features are important. These features include battery saving functions and more.
  • Ease of Use – All OSs should be straightforward; we looked at its search functions and more to rate the ease of use.
  • Technical Help/Support – Since OSs perform numerous functions, above average support is needed. Generally, Microsoft offers more support choices to its business customers and mostly self–guided support for individuals.
To read more about the new Windows Vista, click here.

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Windows Operating System NEWS

January 31, 2007
Does Vista herald a Gaming Renaissance?
BusinessWeek.com
Microsoft VP of Interactive Entertainment Peter Moore says that the company will lead a PC gaming "Renaissance" with the release of Vista, which is being touted as a gaming platform as much as an OS.


January 31, 2007
Microsoft millions urge us to take in the Vista
The Australian
MICROSOFT is expected to plunge more than $13 million into advertising over the coming weeks as it works to convince consumers to embrace Vista.


January 30, 2007
Amid Consumer Hype, Businesses Yawn at Vista
technewsworld
Consumers got their first official look Tuesday at Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) new operating system Vista. Businesses, though, have been able to eyeball the software since November of last year, and eyeballing seems to be all they're doing with the new OS.


Windows Operating System News Articles




Windows Operating System Review - A Review of the top Windows Operating System products

Windows Operating Systems in a Micro–Nut Shell

When you upgrade to Vista, you will notice that there are several Vista operating systems to choose from including the Home, Professional and Enterprise Editions. So which Vista version is right for you?

Click to read   "Which Vista Operating System is Right for You?"

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Excellent
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Good
Fair
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Rank 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Reviewer Comments



Lowest Price
$182.99


$192.99


$119.99


$279.99


$139.99


$154.99





Overall Rating



Ratings
Home Use



Office Use



Multimedia/Entertainment Use



Security



Networking



Practical Use



Laptop Use



Ease of Use



Technical Help/Support



Vista versions and their comparable XP versions
Vista Home Basic
 







Vista Home Premium
   






Vista Business


   




Vista Enterprise


   




Vista Ultimate

       



Media/Entertainment Features
Video / Movies / Television









Plays DVDs            



Plays/Records Television  
 






Multi-Tuner Support  
 






Supports Over-the-Air HDTV  
 






Video Organizer      






Television Program Guide  
 






Movie Finder Service  
 






Movie Maker  
 






Movies









Music Manager      






Creates Playlists      






Plays Internet/FM Radio          




Records Internet/FM Radio  
 






Photos









Rotates Images          




Email/Publish/Print Pictures          




Photo Editor/ Slideshow  
 






Photo Organizer            



Syncs to Portable Devices          




Burns DVDs/CDs            



Supports Xbox 360 Access to Files  
 






Plug and Play Gaming Controls Available      






Security Features
Internet Connection Firewall            



Firewall Exceptions Lists            



Pop-up Blocker            



Pop-up Blocker Exception Lists            



Antivirus Software            



Blocks Unapproved Downloads            



Blocks Downloads from Specific Publishers            



Evaluates Downloads for Irregularities            



Blocks Scripts            



Malicious Software Removal Tool  








Parental Controls  








Security Control Guidance  








User-Level Access Control  

     



Access Control  

     



IEEE 802.1x Security Protocol  

     



Encrypting File System  

     



Networking Features
Simple Networking            



Networking Wizards            



Remote Access  

     



Remote Access (within network)  

   




Remote Desktop


     



Roaming User Profiles  

     



Supports Multiple Users            



Network Diagnostics  








Administration Tools









Policy Settings  

     



Group Policy  

     



User State Migration Tool


     



Remote Installation Service


     



Centralized Administration  

     



Global Compatibility









Language Support 35
12 25 25 21



Multi-lingual User Interface (MUI) Add-on  

     



Unicode Compatible            



International Text Display  

     



Laptop Features
Battery Life Enhancements            



Standby/Hibernation            



Sleep Mode  








Saves Online Files for Offline Use            



Detects/Connects to Wireless Access Points            



Adjusts to Static or Dynamic IP Addresses Automatically            



ReadyDrive (Flash Drives)  








SlideShow Technology  








Other Features
Runs Multiple Applications Simultaneously            



Dual Monitor Support  

   




Backward Compatible
       




Simplified Searches            



Software Installation and Maintenance  

   




Instant Search  








Automatically Adjusts to Hardware  








Detects/Connects to Wireless Access Points  

   




Files and Settings Transfer Wizard


     



Scalable Processor Support  

     



Sleep Mode  








SuperFetch  








Backup and Restore Center  








ReadyBoost  








Speech Recognition/ Voice Control  



 



Windows Mail  








Windows Calendar  








Tablet PC Support  



 



Detects Network-Connected Projectors  








Windows Meeting Space (Collaboration)  

   




Presentation Setting  








Supports Screen Rotation




 



System Memory Abilities









Virtual Memory
4GB
4GB 16TB




Paging File
16TB
16TB 512TB




Paging Pool
470MB
470MB 128GB




Non-paged Pool
256MB
256MB 128 GB




System Cache
1GB
1GB 1TB




System Requirements
Hardware









Processing Speed (MHz) 800 233 800 233





RAM (MB) 512* 128 512 128





Hard Disk Space (GB) 15 105
1.5





CD ROM Drive
 
 





DVD ROM Drive  








For Media Center Functions









Remote Control/Receiver  
 






Internet Connection  
 






TV Signal  
 






Technical Help/Support
Remote Assistance    
   




Instant Messaging/Chat            



Telephone Support            



Email Support            



Searchable Knowledgebase
         



System Restore            



Troubleshooting
 
   




Set-up Wizard  
 

 



Device Driver Rollback
 
   




Drivers/Downloads    
   




Automatic Updates    
   




How-To/Tutorials    
   




Webcast/Podcast Training
 
   




User Forums/Newsgroups
   
   



International Support    
   




Addition Fee-Based Services









Support Service Packages    
   




Consulting Services  

   




Online Training    
   




Training/Certification
 
   




Windows Live OneCare    
     



Product Details Detail Detail Detail Detail Detail Detail



 



Rank 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
TOP TEN PRODUCTS Vista XP Home XP Media Center XP Professi XP Professi x64 XP Tablet PC Edition




 
 
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Vista Review 2008 - Top Windows Operating System XP Home Review 2008 - Top Windows Operating System XP Media Center Review 2008 - Top Windows Operating System XP Professional Review 2008 - Top Windows Operating System XP Professional x64 Review 2008 - Top Windows Operating System XP Tablet PC Edition Review 2008 - Top Windows Operating System