There a lots of versions of the latest version of Windows. It’s not sure at this point how much MS is going to enforce the licensing, but w/o experience, based on the EULA it’s easy to assume the worst. These are the different versions of Vista and the different licenses available.
Version |
Price |
Purpose |
| Home Basic | $100 | No frills, cheap home user |
| Home Premium | $160 | Typical home user |
| Business | $200 | Typical business user |
| Ultimate | $400 | All features in one package |
License |
Version |
Price |
Purpose |
| OEM | Home Basic | $60 | |
| Home Premium | $120 | ||
| Business | $150 | ||
| Ultimate | $200 | ||
| Upgrade | Home Basic | $100 | |
| Home Premium | $160 | ||
| Business | $200 | ||
| Ultimate | $260 | ||
| Full | Home Basic | $200 | |
| Home Premium | $240 | ||
| Business | $300 | ||
| Ultimate | $400 |
- You can see that the OEM versions are cheaper by far. The constraint here is that you can’t upgrade motherboards. For most people that’s fine, but I upgrade motherboards about once a year. Most people I know should get this one.
- The Upgrade is what MS is pushing hard. You can’t download the Full or OEM versions from their site and Retails stores have this version almost exclusively. The constraint here is that you must upgrade from a previous version of Windows. In past versions, you could present a Win98, WinME, etc. disk and fresh install. Upgrade installs always leave you with a slower computer than a fresh install. MS states this in not the case with Vista, but Tom’s Hardware already did the comparison. You are also “trading in” your old WinXP
- The Full version is the hardest to find. I ordered mine from Amazon, but couldn’t seem to find it at NewEgg. It’s also the most expensive. There is not a constraint concerning the motherboard and there is no silly “upgrade” requirement. You also don’t lose your WinXP license. This is the best for me, since I don’t want the loss of functionality while upgrading, waiting for Vista drivers and applications, losing a license, transfering to the new computer once a year.
Update 2/1/07: Vista Upgrade Decision Flow Chart