Vista versions - Break down please?

Haui

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Feb 18, 2007
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Ok. I just got a really great deal on a Dimension E521 for really cheap. It came with Windows Vista Home Basic - OEM.

Am I going to be happy with this version?

What do the other versions include that mine does not?

Can anyone do a small breakdown of what the different versions have to offer thats others do or don't? Thanks for your help in advance!
 

StevenYoo

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Jul 4, 2001
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Basic doesn't have the eye candy (Aero/Glass stuff) that the higher versions have.

Also doesn't include the multimedia stuff that Home Premium and Ultimate have.

and it doesn't have the enterprise security stuff that Business and Ultimate have.
 

StevenYoo

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Jul 4, 2001
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i don't think you have to, depending on your usage habits.

I think most people can live without the aero glass thing.

the business stuff you really don't need.

I don't think it's worth it to pay money just for multimedia aspects that can be obtained with other software
 

Haui

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Feb 18, 2007
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I will be using the pc for the following:

Email
Internet
Gaming (BF2 SOON AGAIN)
Downloading
Ripping and burning dvd's for myself
Web Design
Photo editing

What do you suggest I do?
 

StevenYoo

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Jul 4, 2001
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Honestly, I think you'll be fine as you are.

Just install the proper codecs (or VLC player), make sure you have DirectX installed, and you should be fine.
 

Jaxidian

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Originally posted by: Haui
I will be using the pc for the following:

Email
Internet
Gaming (BF2 SOON AGAIN)
Downloading
Ripping and burning dvd's for myself
Web Design
Photo editing

What do you suggest I do?

It will do all of the above. It lacks mostly the eye-candy and system utilities. For example, the backup system in this version (and all home versions) suck. If you don't backup, then you don't care. You don't have the pretty UI, but you didn't list that as a requirement. You won't have remote desktop, but again, you didn't list that as a requirement. It does everything you listed just fine. :)
 

RalphTheCow

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Sep 14, 2000
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Is it worth buying the business version to get the backup imaging utility? Or should I just put the money into Ghost so I can also backup an older XP computer? I remember reading that XP Home's networking was very bad and insecure, so I wonder if that difference is carried over in Vista home and business, so could that also be a reason to buy Business at $150 OEM versus Home Basic at $92 or Home Premium at $119?
 

StevenYoo

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Jul 4, 2001
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Originally posted by: RalphTheCow
Is it worth buying the business version to get the backup imaging utility? Or should I just put the money into Ghost so I can also backup an older XP computer? I remember reading that XP Home's networking was very bad and insecure, so I wonder if that difference is carried over in Vista home and business, so could that also be a reason to buy Business at $150 OEM versus Home Basic at $92 or Home Premium at $119?

abso-tively not.

you're better off buying a vista-compatible version of Ghost or Acronis TrueImage.
I dunno about the networking (haven't installed vista yet), but the networking extras in business/ultimate aren't really meant for use for a home user.

I think you're fine with Home Basic if you don't mind not having the Aero interface
 

RalphTheCow

Senior member
Sep 14, 2000
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email only support sort of turned me off of Acronis - you can't even call and talk to anyone. This stripped down Norton Save and Restore product sounds perfect for me.
 

VIAN

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Aug 22, 2003
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Originally posted by: Haui
Ok. I just got a really great deal on a Dimension E521 for really cheap. It came with Windows Vista Home Basic - OEM.

Am I going to be happy with this version?

What do the other versions include that mine does not?

Can anyone do a small breakdown of what the different versions have to offer thats others do or don't? Thanks for your help in advance!
I have Home Basic and I don't plan on upgrading to anything else, if you can call it upgrading.

Business is useless for Home. Ultimate is Home Premium Combined with Business, so it is also useless for Home.

Home users have two options. Home Basic and Home Premium.

Home Basic IS Windows Vista. Home Premium adds a translucent GUI, which is the same thing as Home Basic, but with translucent Borders and doesn't look that impressive. And it gives you Media Center capabilities, which is like having a computer and TV capatabilites in one. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_center

You'll get the full experience of Windows Vista from Home Basic.
 

bucwylde23

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Apr 21, 2005
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I don't have a dual core cpu, but my Home premium vista shows 2 cpu's because of hyperthreading.
 

A5

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Jun 9, 2000
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Tegeril

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Apr 2, 2003
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Originally posted by: RalphTheCow
Is it worth buying the business version to get the backup imaging utility? Or should I just put the money into Ghost so I can also backup an older XP computer? I remember reading that XP Home's networking was very bad and insecure, so I wonder if that difference is carried over in Vista home and business, so could that also be a reason to buy Business at $150 OEM versus Home Basic at $92 or Home Premium at $119?
It is worth getting the business version to gain access to Shadow Copy though. Because when you can have multiple versions of a folder on hand on the fly, and you need a file that you made and changed in between backups, you'll have it.

Beyond that, if you don't need the eye candy or the apps that come with the other versions, home basic is ok.