General Information
Microsoft has released its new Windows Vista Operating System. The Windows Vista product lineup consists of five "Editions" which encompass two business versions (designed for larger IT infrastructures) and three consumer versions (designed for personal or home use). According to Microsoft, each product is tailored to meet specific needs of various segments of the market - home PC users, small and medium-sized businesses and large enterprises. See the Microsoft Web site for more information on the various Microsoft Vista Editions. Learn more about the features of Microsoft Vista Features. Additional details about the new Vista desktop system are available on the Microsoft Vista Web site .
The Penn State Computer Store has both Vista Business and Vista Enterprise available for departmental purchase. Vista Ultimate is scheduled to be available in April, 2007.
While Windows Vista has five versions, it is a single software package that has features enabled or disabled depending on what version is installed. The five versions include:
- Home Basic
- Home Premium
- Ultimate
- Business
- Enterprise
Below is a list of features that are available in each Vista edition.
| Feature | Windows Vista Business |
Windows Vista Enterprise |
Windows Vista Ultimate |
| Security & Performance Increases | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Search & Organize Enhancements | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Peer-to-Peer Collaboration | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Schedules & Network Backup | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AERO User Interface | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Media Center & Extender Capabilities | No | No | Yes |
| Tablet & Auxiliary Display | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Volume License Key Support
(MAK & KMS) |
Yes | Yes | No |
| Subsystem for Unix Applications | No | Yes | Yes |
| BitLockerT Drive Encryption | No | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Language Support | No | Yes | Yes |
| 4 Virtual OS Licenses | No | Yes | No |
