With the exception of Windows Vista Starter Edition, Windows Vista Home Basic is the most stripped down version of the latest operating system from Microsoft. But while the existence of Window Vista Starter is based on the increasing need to bring technology to developing markets around the world, Windows Vista's purpose fails to drive home the idea behind it.

I have included a graphic illustrating the differences between Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Business and Windows Vista Ultimate, in terms of features, towards the end of the article. The graphic is provided by Microsoft and is a strong case of bad publicity.

Leaving Windows Vista Ultimate ($399) aside - as the high-end edition of Vista will deliver all the features applauded by Microsoft as arguments to upgrade from Windows XP - the Business and Home Premium editions will actually give users their money's worth. And you can see even from the graphic that $299 and $239 are a fair price for the features delivered by the two versions.

But Windows Vista Home Basic is simply the most handicapped edition of Vista. Judging by the comparison put together by the Redmond Company, Home Basic only offers Windows Defender, Windows Firewall, Instant Search and Internet Explorer 7 and the Network and Sharing Center for $199.

Here are the features you won't be getting if you decide to buy Windows Vista Home Basic: the Aero interface, Windows Flip 3D, and Live Thumbnails, Windows Mobility Center and Tablet PC support, Windows Meeting Space, Windows Media Center, Media Center Extenders, Windows Complete PC Backup and Restore, Windows Fax and Scan, Scheduled Backup, Remote Desktop Connection, Network and Sharing Center, Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption, Windows DVD Maker, Chess Titans, Mahjong Titans, and Inkball, Windows Movie Maker in High Definition.

The only argument that recommends the acquisition of Home Basic, outside the security enhancements, is in no way connected to Microsoft. The fact of the matter is that Home Basic is designed to run on systems with configurations that are less demanding than the other titles of the Vista family.