That's right, 9 editions of Windows Vista. Microsoft is offering four editions of the operating system and another five on top of those that add nuance to Windows Vista. You probably are already familiar with Windows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate.

Windows Vista Home Basic is - as the name implies - an operating system designed for home environments that will deliver only a basic computing experience. Home Basic is also the least demanding Vista edition hardware wise. Vista Home Basic has a SRP of $199.00 and an upgrade price of $99.95.

If you want a little extra, you will have to pay $239.00 for a full license or $159.00 for an upgrade to Windows Home Premium. The Home Premium edition contains the Aero graphical user interface as well as Windows Media Center capabilities and Windows Mobility Center and Tablet PC support.

Windows Vista Business is designed to integrate seamlessly into a corporate environment. Vista Business is constructed in the same way as Vista Home Premium, but without Windows Media Center. For $299.00, $199.00 for the upgrade, Vista Business adds increased data protection, backup, advanced networking and Remote Desktop tools.

Windows Vista Ultimate is the apex of Microsoft's operating systems, and the price illustrates this. With a suggested retail price of $399.00 and a suggested upgrade retail price of $259.00 Vista Ultimate is addressed at the high-end users. "Windows Vista Ultimate is the most comprehensive edition of Windows Vista. It is the first operating system that combines all of the advanced infrastructure features of a business-focused operating system, all of the management and efficiency features of a mobility-focused operating system, and all of the digital entertainment features of a consumer-focused operating system," reads Microsoft's description of the operating system.

Windows Vista Enterprise is available exclusively to Microsoft's Software Assurance customers via volume licensing. Vista Enterprise is an enhanced version of Vista Business, delivering a higher level of data protection using hardware-based encryption technology through the Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption.

These are the main Vista editions. Starting from these, Microsoft is additionally offering Windows Vista Starter, Vista Home N, Vista Business N and Ultimate Signature editions.

Windows Vista Starter edition will be available in 119 emerging markets, as a stripped down variant of the operating system with a complementary affordable price. "Windows Vista Starter is not currently scheduled to be available in the United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, or other high income markets as defined by the World Bank," reveals Microsoft.

Windows Vista Home N and Business N are designed for the European market, and have been amputated on the Windows Media Player and other media capabilities in concordance with the 2004 ruling of the EU Antitrust Commission.

Windows Vista Ultimate Signature Edition is a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate with the Microsoft Chairman, Bill Gates' signature on the packaging. Not too shabby! So there you go… nine different editions of Windows Vista.