Microsoft Plans Six Versions of Vista



Microsoft has announced the product lineup of its upcoming Windows Vista operating system.

Scheduled for release later this year, the Microsoft Windows Vista product lineup consists of six versions, two for businesses, three for consumers, and one for emerging markets: Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Starter.

The number of offerings is the same as the number of offerings currently available for Windows XP. More important, the lineup is designed to deliver to a broad range of customers - home PC users, small and medium-sized businesses and the largest enterprises - and is aimed at bringing 64-bit, Media Center and Tablet PC functionality into the mainstream.

Mike Sievert, corporate vice president - windows product management and marketing, Microsoft, said, "We live in a digital world that is filled with more information, more things to do and more ways to communicate with others than ever. The PC needs to give people the clarity and confidence to handle this 'world of more' so they can focus on what's most important to them. With our Windows Vista product line, we've streamlined and tailored our product lineup to provide what our customers want for today's computing needs."

Consumers can choose from three versions that deliver exciting new experiences for the home PC user - Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate.

For consumers who want to simply use the PC to browse the Internet, correspond with friends and family through e-mail, or perform basic document creation and editing tasks, Windows Vista Home Basic promises to deliver a safer, more reliable and more productive computing environment. It will provide new tools and technologies for making the PC more secure and enjoyable, including features such as a new Search Explorer, Sidebar and Parental Controls.

Windows Vista Home Premium will help consumers use mobile or desktop PC functionality more effectively while enabling the enjoyment of new, exciting, digital entertainment experiences. It includes everything in Windows Vista Home Basic. Windows Vista Home Premium integrates search throughout the operating system, helping customers organize and find large collections of documents, pictures, movies, videos and music. Windows Media Center capabilities turn the PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. Consumers can use Media Center to record and watch TV shows (even high-definition TV), and access new kinds of online entertainment content. It also provides the ability to connect Windows Vista Home Premium to Xbox 360, extending the Media Center experience to multiple rooms in the home.
Windows Tablet PC technology, which enables interaction with the PC with a digital pen or fingertip instead of a keyboard, is also available in this edition of Windows Vista. Integrated DVD burning and authoring allows users to seamlessly burn personal videos, photos and files to video or data DVDs.

Microsoft is touting Windows Vista Ultimate as the edition of Windows Vista that has it all. It is the first operating system that brings together all the entertainment features, mobility features and business-oriented features available in Windows Vista.

All new versions are available for either 32-bit or 64-bit systems, depending on the needs of the customer.

Microsoft also will offer Windows Vista Starter in emerging markets. Windows Vista Starter, according to Microsoft, is designed to empower families and entry-level PC users in these markets to experience the world of social and educational benefits that personal computer technology and the Internet makes possible. A 32-bit operating system designed specifically for lower-cost computers, Windows Vista Starter enables popular beginner PC activities and provides an easy-to-use and more affordable entry point to the Windows Vista family of products.

Al Gillen, research director - system software, IDC, said, "Windows Vista is going to be a significant release for all Windows customers - including enterprises, small and medium-sized businesses, as well as consumers. Microsoft's strategy to address different customer segments with versions of Windows Vista optimized for their needs should be well received by these diverse user segments."

All versions of Windows Vista are scheduled to be broadly available in the second half of 2006.