Datasheet

These steps not only bring back the look of previous Windows versions, but

speed up an older PC that’s struggling to keep up with Vista’s fancy layers of

graphics.

The Five Flavors of Vista

Windows XP came in two easy-to-understand versions: One for home, and

one for business. Microsoft confuses things in Vista by splitting it into five

different versions, each with a different price tag.

Luckily, only three versions are aimed at consumers, and most people will

probably choose Windows Vista Home Premium. Still, to clear up the confu-

sion, I describe all five versions in Table 1-1.

Table 1-1: The Five Flavors of Windows Vista

TThhee VVeerrssiioonn ooff VViissttaa WWhhaatt IItt DDooeess

Windows Vista Reminiscent of Windows XP Home Edition, this version

Home Basic leaves out Vista’s fancier media features, such as DVD

burning, HDTV, TV recording, and other similar features.

Windows Vista This version is Windows Vista Home Basic, but with the

Home Premium media features tossed back in. It targets people who watch

TV on their PC or who want to create DVDs from their cam-

corder footage.

Windows Vista Just as with its brethren, Windows XP Professional, this

Business aims at the business market. It includes a fax program, for

example, but lacks the media-related features found in

Vista Home Premium.

Windows Vista

This business market version contains even more tools,

Enterprise

such

as support for additional languages and larger

networks.

Windows Vista A combination of the Home and Business versions, this

Ultimate version aims at the wallets of hard-core PC users, such as

gamers, people in the video industry, and similar people

who spend their lives in front of their keyboards.

Part I: Windows Vista Stuff Everybody Thinks You Already Know

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