20 février
Microsoft Updates Vista SKUs
It's coming late this summer (keep your fingers crossed), so it makes sense to stay in top of it. Microsoft released an initial list of possible Vista versions last year, but it seems Redmond has updated that list and released the info to us press types late last week. So if you haven't seen it yet, you're looking at 6 possible choices (8 if you count the Euro versions):
Windows Starter 2007: Don't worry about this one as it's just a Vista without the high-end graphics requirements intended for developing nations where users don't have the hardware choices we do.
Windows Vista Home Basic: This is XP Home, Vista style. There's a Euro version of this, called Windows Vista Home Basic N, which is the same thing except sans Windows Media Player becaue the EU thinks that's the root of all evil.
Windows Vista Home Premium: The home media version. Full Vista Home functionality, plus Media Center features with CableCARD support and all the other trimmings. For the geek's home PC, this is the one to get.
Windows Vista Business: Basically, the XP Pro counterpart with all the new Vista vunders.The Euro version is called (predictably) Windows Vista Business N. Again, XP Pro but aimed at the Euro nations who don't want all the features.
Windows Vista Enterprise: Doesn't have a full features list, but think of this is souped up XP Pro. Souped up by emebdding things like encyption, Virtual PC, etc.
Last but not least is the power-named Windows Vista Ultimate. Not much in the way of specifics here other than this one is supposed to contain everything from both the high-end home and business version. The ultimate telecommuter/media center OS in one box, I guess. Not sure how popular this one will be as I'm guessing its hardware requirements are going to be harsh.