By: James Yu and Sarju Shah - Posted on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007

Overview

Most of us are waiting for the DirectX 10 games to arrive before upgrading to Windows Vista, but the new operating system does offer a number of new features that might make it a worthwhile upgrade even if the games aren't here yet. Not all versions of Windows Vista share the same feature set. Let's take a look at the different editions.

Windows Vista Home Basic
Think of Windows Vista Home Basic as Vista "Lite." You'll get the DX10 support, instant search, Windows Sidebar, and all the security updates; you won't get the Aero 3D desktop theme, Windows Media Center support, or several other new features and applications that make Vista, well, Vista. The Home Basic version retails for $199 as a stand-alone installation or $99 as an XP upgrade.

Windows Vista Home Premium
Microsoft is positioning Windows Vista Home Premium as the upgrade of choice for most users. The Premium version has the complete user-interface upgrade, including Aero, Flip3D, and live thumbnail icons. The Premium version also has new media applications, including Windows DVD Maker and Windows Movie Maker. Microsoft has rolled Windows Media Center functionality into Vista Home Premium, which will let people use their Xbox 360 systems as media extenders. You should expect to pay $239 for the retail box or $159 for the upgrade version.

Windows Vista Ultimate
The Windows Vista Ultimate edition is for big spenders who want the entire Vista experience. The Ultimate version has all the Home Premium features with a few data and network management features from the Business and Enterprise editions. The main reason to opt for the big package will be to get special access to Windows Ultimate Extras, which are downloadable upgrades that are available only to Ultimate users. Do you remember that full-motion desktop background from the Bill Gates CES 2007 keynote address? That will be an Ultimate Extra. Windows Vista Ultimate will cost $399 for the full installation or $259 for the upgrade.

Windows Vista Business
The Business edition has a lot of the same features as Home Premium. However, the Windows Media Center, DVD Maker, and Movie Maker media applications have been swapped out for extra data backup, remote desktop, and security features. The stand-alone installation costs $299, and upgrades run for $199. Microsoft also offers an Enterprise edition for large-scale IT rollouts that is similar to the Business edition.

Aero

Aero is the 3D desktop theme available in the Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate editions. The Vista desktop now uses the video card's 3D processing power to create translucent windows. You will need a DirectX 9-level GPU to run Aero. For those who are wondering, the Aero desktop won't hurt game performance.

Flip3D

Remember that Windows start key you tore off your keyboard because you kept on pressing it at the most inopportune times? You might want to find it again because the key actually has a use in Vista. If you press start and tab to switch into a Flip3D mode, you can cycle through your open windows like a rolodex. However, despite Flip3D's pretty interface, we have to admit that we still use the basic alt-tab function to switch applications.

Live Thumbnails

Vista uses live thumbnail preview images to help speed up multitasking by making it easier to find what you need. You'll see these file and application preview images when you switch between programs using alt-tab or when you mouse over them in the taskbar. You can also set the view option in your explorer window to display files as thumbnail icons.

Instant Search

Browsing for a file when you're already in a running application in Windows XP, when attempting to attach a file to an email for example, can be painful. That's where Vista's instant search box shines. It helps eliminate the clicks between you and what you want to do. You'll find the search box built into the start menu, as well as into just about every window. You can also save predefined searches to search folders that will return results with a double-click.

Customized Explorer Windows

Vista has customized command-bar and file-detail organization options for several popular explorer views. The regular explorer command bar lets you organize your files and adjust the view display. There's also a new "Burn" option that gives you one-click burn-to-disc access. The pictures explorer offers a slide show option, and the music explorer has a "play all" button in addition to the burn-to-disc option.

1168 Comments

  • Jono0

    Posted Jul 17, 2007 11:59 am PT

    We will all have to move to vista at some point, so i say, its better sooner than later.
    Ready-Boot sure looks awesome!

  • break_assasin

    Posted May 30, 2007 12:51 pm PT

    Does vista still have bugs or has it been fixed

  • champmanfan

    Posted May 4, 2007 10:54 pm PT

    You can indeed o/c your GPU with Vista by downloading RivaTuner for use with both Ati & nVidia cards, use it just like you do in XP.

    On my very high end PC my CPU usage is 0-1% on my QX6700 while typing this and my RAM usage is 33% on the 2.75Gb available on Vista 32bit but I do have 4Gb installed (it uses the rest for the system and additional GPU). When playing C&C3 it goes up to just 55% RAM and the CPU averages 40%

    I'm very impressed with my newly installed Vista Ultimate and it runs very smoothly. Anyone with less than 2Gb of RAM should follow this guide and get a memory stick for additional performance. My PC Experience Index is maxed out at 5.9 so I wonder what it really is since thats the limit at the moment set by MS. I even played Call of Duty on it so thats a great sign, can't wait for some proper DX10 games

  • cwhein

    Posted May 2, 2007 6:33 am PT

    I'm moving over to Vista this weekend. I bought myself a F2 6000+ 3GHz cpu, 2x GeForce 8800GTS along with a new mobo, HD, 4 GB memory and a case. Can't wait to get it going.

  • Mcgnnis1

    Posted Apr 19, 2007 9:29 am PT

    Does anyone know if Vista allows you to overclock your GPU. Because i have GeForce 7200 and most of my games are performing not too good. i mean i know that 7200 is a thing of the past but still when i had XP media Center all my games were running awesomely even Quake 4 because i was able to overclock my GPu but in Vista i can't. So if anyone knows anything about it please let me know. Thanks.

  • stories84

    Posted Apr 13, 2007 8:42 am PT

    It's best to have a powerful machine. At idle upon startup, 40% of my RAM is utilized by idle Vista processes (I've got 2GB of RAM). However, my system setup is (what I think is standard for a Vista machine) not super strong but I get good performance in Vista. The optimizations in the software (while had more overhead) is generally smoother and faster than XP for everyday use (apps load faster, run more stable). I run a C2D E6300, 2GB RAM, and X3000 GMA.

  • damsam

    Posted Apr 10, 2007 10:18 am PT

    Vista Ultimate rocks. Yes you do need a powerful system, but the features are great. Go dual core with 2 GB of ram and at least a 1600XT Graphics card with 256 mB ram and should be sweet. Games play well too. I'm a overclocker and have a operion 180 2.4 Ghz cpu with 1900 XTX 512 MB
    graphics card, 2 gb DDR4000. Running at 2.8GHZ. FSB is 244 MHZ DDR running at 244Mhz 3,4,4,3,8 1T. Multitasking now with no problems. Play games, burn DVD and Virus scan same time.

  • Skuzzy360

    Posted Apr 9, 2007 5:34 am PT

    Listen up!

    If i were you....... DONT GET VISTA!!!! Any version of it! U need an extremly powerful PC to run it!
    I have 1GB of ram and vista uses up 700MB odd of ram no matter what settings i have it on!!! And some files and folders i cannot move becuase im not allowed 2 sez bloody vista but im the administrator!!!!

    Seriously!

    ITS NOT WORTH THE MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Grodus5

    Posted Apr 4, 2007 2:08 pm PT

    Seeing how my computer broke and I have to order another computer, I really hope Vista is good, cause if its not... lets just say I will NOT be very happy.

  • Sty1ez101

    Posted Mar 23, 2007 12:11 am PT

    vista still has problems make sure you guys look more into this

  • sonamy4ever

    Posted Mar 18, 2007 3:08 pm PT

    Yes... of course it is! (my folks just bought a new comp yesterday, should be here by next monday! Premium Vista equipped!)

  • darussell1958

    Posted Mar 12, 2007 12:46 pm PT

    Is Vista really worth the price of the upgrade?

  • JOSE24DGUEZ

    Posted Mar 9, 2007 9:04 pm PT

    I really Vista... it' seems to be good Ready-Boot is sick!

  • frankmondana

    Posted Mar 4, 2007 3:03 pm PT

    I am so tired of novice users that proclaim that any product is GR8 or blows based on their own single experience. Becoming some slavish proponent to any one company, technology, and/or product is a waste of time.
    I have been servicing PC's for years my current clientele is around 263 users with over 700 machines and I can say this without fear.
    PC's are the best. If that is what you use.
    MAC's are best. If that is what you use.
    Sony consoles kick butt. If that is what you use.
    X-box rules. If that is what you use.
    Linux rules over Windows or the Mac OS. If that is what you like.

    You get my point? I have had great experiences with every single tech product out from all of the companies. I have also had terrible experiences.

    Any person who uses any product (high tech or not) is going to have loyalty based on what they experienced.
    OSes tend to breed extreme loyalty as they are directly responsible for a very important part of any computer users life.
    At home I have 3 computers, 1 runs Windows, 1 runs OS X, and another is a dual boot Windows/Linux set up. I also have both an X-box and a PS3. I gave my 6 year old son a Wii for his birthday. Yes, I'm lucky enough to work in the industry so I get alot of free stuff but the result is the same.
    I use whatever technology that works best for me. I don't really care who's label is attached to the product.

  • PurelogicsBack

    Posted Mar 2, 2007 9:29 pm PT

    Vista is extremely Glitchy in its Beta form but when the bugs are fixed I predict it'll be a great product.

  • mindless1987

    Posted Mar 2, 2007 4:54 pm PT

    ive owned vista since the first week it was out but just got around to installing it, i bought the home premium upgrade and have it side by side with xp, hee hee. it seems to be running gr8 but i had to go and dig out all of my old driver disks for my wireless card and my web cam, and probably my printer when i turn it on, and vista is basically its own service pack already, with how long it was in development and the long beta, it is possible for stupid people to have smart moments.

  • runejedi

    Posted Mar 1, 2007 6:48 pm PT

    after seeing what ready boost can do, how can u possibly say xp is better we still havent got the six-month drivers yet and vista is canning xp for gaming peformance as soon as i get the money , im gonna get a copy of vista. any of you who still think xp is better is living in denile . oh and if your gonna get vista make sure u download and run the " vista upgrade advisior" that will tell you what ya need 2 do to install vista . run the upgrade advisior before trying to install vista or you will have problems!

  • biplob168

    Posted Feb 27, 2007 1:39 pm PT

    lol it's not bad.But xp still best

  • NateNgn

    Posted Feb 27, 2007 1:25 pm PT

    Ooooo.... Can't wait to try it out in 2 years when I buy a new pc.

  • DiscGuru101

    Posted Feb 27, 2007 5:01 am PT

    Im a sucker for the shinny, 3D, Semi-Transparent Vista Windows, the Vista themes for XP just arent the same. -Im about to become an early adopter, so wish me a lot of luck guys. delvet -- I am buying a new PC for Vista on your word.

  • generallion

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 9:14 am PT

    WOW.......vista is sounds trustworthy for internet safe browsing and stuff like tht......but the only thing i dislike is the parental control...........cause my parents r definetly goin to use it to control me playin on the computer..... -2pt for vista for tht......but the other features sound promising and user-friendly.....hmmm...microsoft really is improving frm their past glitches caused in xp.......

  • MadMattg22

    Posted Feb 26, 2007 5:18 am PT

    Well I'm not a PC guru or anything. But I installed Vista ultimate the other day and after a few glitches I finally got it up and running just fine. BF2 is running like a dream and I'll being sorting my other games this week. I dunno what the big fuss is about for and against it's down to your own requirements.

  • mydasx

    Posted Feb 25, 2007 10:20 pm PT

    I LOVE the guys that say there is no reason to upgrade...

    NOTICE TO ALL IDEALIST, N00bs...

    YOU WILL ALL UPGRADE. You same people made a stink about upgrading from win2000 to XP. Lest we not forget XP was a nightmare till SP1. If you are an early adopter its because your either a bone head or you JUST HAVE TO HAVE THE LATEST STUFF. Eitherway, deal w/ your desicion. The safest place to be w/ new Operating systems (REALLY HARD CODE TO WRITE REALLY!!!!!!) is early majority, not early adopter.

  • grimreaper91

    Posted Feb 25, 2007 8:11 pm PT

    won't be getting it till they have direct x 10 games that are widely played and have the direct 10 video cards also until it doesn't have as many glitchs good luck yall im sticking with xp for now weorks fine for me no need to get vista anyways

  • GamingMaster06

    Posted Feb 25, 2007 2:30 pm PT

    Vista looks amazing, although I won't be using It for another year or two.

  • gargarensi

    Posted Feb 25, 2007 9:52 am PT

    I rather wait for the next version of vista, I mean, there's bound to be flaws with the current Vista

  • Crazy_McGee

    Posted Feb 25, 2007 6:22 am PT

    jeez, am I the ONLY one who didn't have problems installing Vista?

  • delvet

    Posted Feb 25, 2007 5:08 am PT

    I bought the Vista Premium edition after I ran the Vista test to see if my computer would work on it. It said that i was readt to go. I installed Vista. It said I had no sound card, It would not let me on the internet, either with land line or my wireless connection. Many other programs would not work. I called Microsoft, they had no idea what to do. They suggested I call HP. I called HP told them the problem, I now had a computer, that the only thing on it that ran was Vista. Vista also blocks the recovery partion and won't let you go back to XP. Since my warranty with HP was still infect they sent me 9 recovery disks for no charge. Thanks to HP I now have a computer again. I don't advise any one to by this unless you are buying a new computer. I would wait at least a year to buy in then so all the manufactures have the drives for Vista. Many still don't have those drives available. I bought it at Amozon.com and after explaining the situation and giving them my Microsoft case number, were they could not fix the problems, they refunded my money. I have a very fast computer with 2GIG memory and a 250MB video card and a sound blaster sound card. Yet nothing worked even though the Microsoft test said every thing was okay. WARNING DON"T UPGRADE.

  • BLiTZv3

    Posted Feb 25, 2007 4:02 am PT

    I just bought Vista Ultimate. Sure it looks good (well, I never used mac...so I think thats why), but its a power hungry OS. I cant play all of my games as well as XP, game freezes sometimes, WTF. But its not worthy enough. Dont buy it until M$ release a service pack.

  • l34052

    Posted Feb 24, 2007 8:33 am PT

    Ive upgraded my pc to 2gigs of ram and a new mid range ATI X1600 pro vid card and installed Vista Home Premium 64 Bit today and i have to say im very impressed so far. Im still playin around with the new features and finding out whats what but so far it seems very good indeed. Ive had a couple of problems with media player crashing on me but thats to be expected with something brand new. If you want cutting edge tech then you could do worse than getting a copy of Vista. I've read alot've comments about how expensive it is when compared to alot've 'other' OS's but if you buy an OEM version like i did its really not that expensive at all. This is the first legit OS i've ever brought which says alot for Vista and MS, it is a step up from XP if you ask me and well worth the upgrade. In a couple of years everyone will be running it anyways so why not jump aboard now.

  • ad566565

    Posted Feb 24, 2007 6:17 am PT

    i have vista but not installed at the moment as i did have it installed but all lot of things that i need didnt seem to work so now back on xp

  • Crazy_McGee

    Posted Feb 24, 2007 6:07 am PT

    Xenbot, I somewhat agree with your comments. Yes, I may have done the wrong thing in buying Vista this early on, and yes, some programs that worked in XP don't in Vista. Having said that, I have to argue that to simply put Vista into the "tank" or "success" column this early on is a little premature. (I know you're kidding, but I would still like to comment on this.) Like you have said, it's going to take some time for the industry to adopt and accept Vista on the whole, but that doesn't mean that it is completely useless now. I would have to caution those who use torrent downloaders, as Vista's protection software prevents any downloading and Internet browsing at the same time, but I think it has more to do with the majority of torrent downloading programs not having a version available for Vista yet. As for my programs that didn't work, they were programs that either will integrate themselves into Vista without a stand-alone program (Intel ProSet/Wireless, which I can't use anyway because the university I am attending has Windows handling the wireless network rather than a third-party program), and programs I had no use for or had equilivant versons built into Vista (BSRV Software's Netwaiting, which again, I have no use for because I do not have dial-up and do not need to filter my phone calls). To senjutsu, don't let Vista's specs scare you from using it; my laptop has a dual-core Centrino 1.83 GHZ processor, 1 GB of DDR2 RAM, a 256 MB ATI Radeon Mobility X1400, and a 120 GB hard drive. As I've said previously, I get better performance out of my laptop because of Vista's ability to use dual-core processors to their full potential. As I've also stated, I do have my MP3 player hooked up to increase performance, but the gains are slight; maybe about 3-4 FPS. Oh, and my score is 3.7, which for a lower mid-end laptop is pretty good. I know that there is going to be at least half a dozen posts that either directly or indirectly respond to this, so let me make myself clear: yes, I have Windows Vista Premium. I like Windows Vista, and I am going to defend it because I like Vista. And to anyone that says, "you don't know what you're talking about, such and such is so much better", you may be right; I'm not the most techno-savvy, and I've only known Linux has existed since 2 years ago. I believe that I made the right decision by upgrading to Vista.

  • BigDoherz

    Posted Feb 23, 2007 11:17 am PT

    Only good think here is windows live but i X fire already does the same thing.

  • packernation31

    Posted Feb 23, 2007 6:48 am PT

    looks like ill be waiting for a new computer before i get it. But of course I wouldn't get it right now in the first place if i could, because all the bugs need to be picked out.

  • xenbot

    Posted Feb 23, 2007 5:56 am PT

    Look, good or not, you should never buy the first generation of anything. It's a suckers play. Of course Vista is going to have numerous problems, and will continue to do so for about the next six months or so. It takes a lot longer to integrate new OS into the PC world because it takes actions from both sides (Microsoft and the independent programmers). Odds are that Vista will suck because XP didn't. Now, if you count XP64 as the next version, then the old rule about every other Microsoft product sucking, then it will be Vista's turn to be good. I don't count XP64 as new one, though, so the rule says Vista will tank. Obviously I am kidding somewhat. It was definitely time to upgrade XP for the newer programs and dual CPUs, etc. However, there won't be any DX10 ONLY games for awhile (I would say at least two years), and I guarantee you the gaming companies will find a workaround for awhile. DX10 is going to be just as buggy as any new operating system, so nobody is going to go full throttle into it for a year or so. I know some stuff already exists, but they are those first gens that find all the bugs that have to be fixed. Relax people, new OSs are not the revolutionary events everyone makes them out to be. P.S. I also wouldn't rush out any buy a new DX10 compatible video cards for awhile either. Why pay $300 for something that is likely to be scrapped and re-designed six months later.

  • evenafvegen

    Posted Feb 23, 2007 5:48 am PT

    God children trying to fight out ever the same fight!! What is better..MAC or Windows..What is better..Gamecube or ps2 or xbox...what is better ds or psp...Mine is better, no mine is better, no mine is better, my daddy is richer, no mine is, my bike is cooler, no mine is, my car is pimpier, no mine is...Please how old are you guys? 6? It is not about what is better, this is about Vista here and the pros and cons!

  • princeofgames90

    Posted Feb 23, 2007 5:18 am PT

    For me linux did the 3d transitons first and second the sucurity in linux is much better to tell you the truth i didnt try VISTA i may bey it some time after

  • whacky_tobaccie

    Posted Feb 23, 2007 1:56 am PT

    Macs arent garbage vista is! Macs ARE stable, all you people who have already bought vista are stupid. you are the guinea pigs of microsoft, smart people wont buy it until atleast sp1 and directx 10 games have actually been released. face it vista sucks, aero just looks shiit compared to LINUX's xgl with compiz, security is crap, the fact that microsoft has the right to 'spy' on you,what you download and what you have installed, not to mention its riddled with bugs. macs have shiit all advertisement compared to vista (which i have seen about 10 ads on tv and internet in the last half hour), its just the ipods (which are crap) that apple show heaps of advertising for. i will definitely not even bother with vista until i'm forced to download it when some decent directx 10 games come out.

  • mattxavier

    Posted Feb 22, 2007 10:01 pm PT

    By the way, Macs are garbage.

  • mattxavier

    Posted Feb 22, 2007 10:00 pm PT

    I'm currently using Basic ona new rig, with the specs I have on this system if I was running XP things would have been fantastic.

  • INcontroll

    Posted Feb 22, 2007 9:08 pm PT

    Sounds spiffy and all, but I see its only worth in the DIrectX10 upgrade...

  • senjutsu

    Posted Feb 22, 2007 7:16 pm PT

    I already have my copy of vista ( free with the dell vistaupdrage thing ) but I won't install it right now... I mean, 1st, vista cannot run all my games ( like half-life2 or conterstrike ), 2nd: vista use 1g of RAM and that's what I have, 3rd: vista use 256 mg on the video card to run aero, and that's what I have.

    And finally because I'm not sure about the new protection vista have, and I love torrents, private trackers and cracks...

    ps: for the guys talking about macs, I just have to say that macs are the best, but they simply cost TOO MUCH for me :'( if not I'd have a new mac quad core running leopard and vista at the same time ( emulating vista on leopard, anyway with a quad core I'd have 4g or RAM at least I suppose... I would be fun to try to boost the vista RAM with a flash drive while it's emulated by the mac os x, lol. ) Anyway, leopard look way better that vista, and surely work a LOT better using a LOT less RAM. But like I said, the macs are not cheap.. at all !!!

  • Crazy_McGee

    Posted Feb 22, 2007 5:56 pm PT

    I just installed it an hour ago, and I think it works great! My computer actually runs a little faster thanks to Vista's ability to maximize dual-core processors, and I'm using my MP3 player as extra memory for the moment....at least, until I buy a Flash card.

  • ScreamDream

    Posted Feb 22, 2007 6:52 am PT

    I'll have to upgrade my PC before I take on that bloat. Maybe in 4 years.

  • gamesfrager

    Posted Feb 22, 2007 12:05 am PT

    I agree with you [cbesett], this is about Vista not Mac's! yet, you see people posting about how bad it is compaired to OSX..... if you like the Mac, go to a mac form and talk to your buddies there lol.
    One more thing, we have the new intel based macs, and they crash, alot! maybe its a software...but i dont like them. !! IMPORTANT !!

    For vista people, who wants to install it, consider researching how to install, because if you decided to go back to XP, you will have to do some modifications to you booting drive, if possible, do a dual booting. search google for Vistabootpro. And be prepared. I almost lost my whole drive because the install didnt go smooth. Do your homework then go ahead, It's really a nice new OS.

  • KandyKornMan

    Posted Feb 21, 2007 10:18 pm PT

    there are many new features vista has to offer that i like.but id rather wait for some service packs to come out before i buy it.i can do with windows xp or xp64 until then.id rather prepare to use vista by getting dx10 video card then wait until the games come out.that wont be for awhile though.

  • cbesett

    Posted Feb 21, 2007 8:07 pm PT

    "If you guys say tha Mac's are for professionals...let me tell you this, I'm a graphics student and we use Mac's most of the time! if it was up to me; i would BURN ALL OF THEM !. why? because they crash..and crash ...and crash...don't tell me they dont!"

    They don't.

    No really. I have used a Mac for 13+ years and this was very true of OS9 but OS X actually has crashed on me maybe once in 3 or so years. Apps will crash, sure... but they don't take down the OS like windows apps tend to. Also handle memory better. And yes i'm a graphics pro who uses both systems -- but only mac for design work.

    sorry, but this article is about vista... sigh...

  • cbesett

    Posted Feb 21, 2007 8:04 pm PT

    "Microsoft doesn't make attack ads like Apple does, they don't have to. They let their system speak for itself. Too bad Apple can't and has to resort to such an underhanded method. Apple still stole their GUI from Xerox."

    The guys from PARC mostly moved on to Apple after Apple BOUGHT the rights to the interface. The inventors were sick of Xerox's lack of vision in their work.

    And if you think Apple is the sole purveyor of ads that point out the competition's weakness then you haven't seen many ads.

  • XeroComplex

    Posted Feb 21, 2007 6:12 pm PT

    Wait, on Boot Camp, could I say, play a game like Guild Wars just like I could on Windows XP? Guild Wars doesn't run on Mac, but if it had WIndows XP... would that work? :O

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Windows Vista Hands-On Pictorial

Windows Vista offers a number of new features that might make it a worthwhile upgrade even if the games aren't here yet.

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