If you own a desktop PC or laptop, you've either upgraded to Windows Vista already or are considering making the move. Despite what seems like years of hype over this new operating system for PCs – which was finally "released" late last year – it's surprising how many people don't even know about most of its key features.
Microsoft hasn't made the learning curve any smoother by offering Vista in no less than five different editions in two classes – business and home. Each version offers a slightly different menu of new features with slightly different system requirements for your computer. Indeed, picking the right version of Windows Vista is harder than picking out furniture for a cramped New York apartment.
Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor To help make the process a little easier, Microsoft offers a free tool called Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor which will help you find out if your current PC can run Windows Vista at all. System requirements for even the most basic edition – Windows Vista Home Basic – are significant.
If the Upgrade Advisor determines that you can, in fact, run Vista, it will also tell you which of the four versions your machine is best suited for.
To find out more about PC compatibility with Windows Vista and to download the Upgrade Advisor, click here.
Of the five versions of Windows Visa, most home users will want either Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Home Basic. (The other editions – Windows Ultimate, Windows Business, and Windows Enterprise – are more suited for power users and businesses.)
Here's a break down of the features in the two Windows Vista home editions.
Windows Vista Home Premium
$239.00; $159 upgrade
• Security –Windows Defender and Windows Firewall to protect against spyware and malicious programs and viruses from entering your system.
• Search – Instant Search feature quickly finds files, documents, images, emails and other data after you type in just a few letters. Windows Internet Explorer 7 for improved browsing on the Internet with a cleaner, more organized interface.
• Interface – Use the new, more intuitive GUI (Graphical User Interface known as Aero with glass-like menu bars, Windows Flip 3D, and Live Thumbnails.
• Mobility – Great for laptops, Windows Mobility Center puts the most frequently used mobile PC settings – such as battery levels and settings, wireless on/off, volume and muting – in a single, easy-to-find location.
• Collaboration – Windows Meeting Space lets you share work with other nearby Vista users by creating a single "meeting space" so everyone sees a single desktop to collaborate on a computer-based project.
• Sidebar Help – Windows SideShow is a sidebar that uses mini-programs called "gadgets" – very similar to Mac OSX's "widgets" – to quickly check the time, weather forecasts, flight schedules, etc.
• Entertainment – Windows Media Center lets you access your entire digital entertainment library – music, videos, photos, even TV – with one, integrated application.
• Backups – Lets you schedule regular automatic backups of files on your computers.
• Networking and Sharing – With the Network and Sharing Center you can check your Internet connection status, view your network visually, and troubleshoot connection problems.
• Make DVDs –Windows DVD Maker lets you make snazzy looking video DVDs of home movies and videos.
• High-Def Movies and Photo Galleries – Windows Movie Maker and Movie Maker HD let you view and edit movies in standard definition and high definition video. Windows Photo Gallery, meanwhile, offers an easy and intuitive way to view, manage, and refine your photos and home movies.
• Games –Three new games: Chess Titans, Mahjong Titans, and Inkball.
Windows Vista Home Basic
$199.00; $99.95 upgrade
• Security –Windows Defender and Windows Firewall to protect against spyware and malicious programs and viruses from entering your system.
• Search – Instant Search feature quickly finds files, documents, images, emails and other data after you type in just a few letters. Windows Internet Explorer 7 for improved browsing on the Internet with a cleaner, more organized interface.
• Networking and Sharing – The Network and Sharing Center lets you check your Internet connection status, view your network visually, and troubleshoot connection problems.