Review: Microsoft Windows Vista operating system

The key question for any potential upgrader is which version to opt for. The easiest way to answer this is to take a look at which features are missing from the various editions.

Starting with the bottom package, Vista Home Basic (£180 to buy new, £100 to upgrade) includes all of the essential tools such as Internet Explorer 7, Windows Mail for email, Defender to protect against spyware and the enhanced image viewing and editing tool Windows Photo Gallery.

Many of the new Vista special effects are not available in Home Basic - there are no transparent Windows, 3D Flip view or live taskbar thumbnails. Anyone buying this edition of Vista can use the Anytime Upgrade facility to upgrade to Home Premium or Ultimate at a discounted price; around £149 and £250 respectively.

Move up to Home Premium (£219) and Aero has been fully implemented. There are a number of extra programs includes too - such as Windows Media Center, Movie Maker, and DVD maker.

Realistically, this is the version the majority of home users will buy, unless they feel like splashing out on Vista Ultimate - although this will also be available as an Anytime Upgrade.

Vista Ultimate (£370) is comparable with XP Professional and includes all of the new operating system elements as well as the unique Windows Ultimate Extras - exclusive downloads and add-ons available only to Ultimate users. In addition to this, there is Drive Encryption and Bit Locker for secure file storage.

Ultimately, Vista is an operating system with security in mind. While there are various new tools and effects, with the exception perhaps of Media Center, no one feature is enough to warrant switching from XP. But viewed as a whole, upgrading to Vista is something you should seriously consider.

Also see:
Video review: Microsoft Windows Vista operating system
Video: Bill Gates' Vista launch speech in London
AVG firewall not yet Vista ready
Workshop: Make the switch to Vista

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