Windows Vista comes by default in a variety of forms and flavors. First off, Microsoft is offering both the 32-bit and the 64-bit versions of the operating system, a trend that will continue with Windows 7 (Seven), Vista's successor. Additionally, not taking into consideration the editions reserved for Windows Anytime Upgrade, Vista is offered in the following SKUs: Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise and Ultimate. While the Starter edition is limited to emerging markets around the world and the Enterprise is available exclusively to Software Assurance customers via volume licensing, the remaining editions are valid choices for end users.

Still, four editions of Windows Vista still manage to create some customer confusion. This is why, longtime Microsoft partners, such as original equipment manufacturer Dell, are pouring a consistent amount of efforts into clearly delimiting each edition from the other. In the image at the top of this article you can see Dell's perspective over Windows Vista Home Premium, Business and Ultimate. Now, just keep in mind that Dell is the world's second largest PC manufacturer after HP. And in this context, their deep and comprehensive insight on the three Vista SKUs must be applauded.

According to Dell, Windows Vista Home Premium will allow users to manage information easily, will deliver advanced security features, the Windows Media Center along with the Windows Aero enhanced interface. And all this for just $239. What a bargain! But wait! Throw in just a couple of dollars on top of that, and you could end up with the $299 Vista Business, which also has simple network connectivity and optimized mobility and features. Let me get this straight... Optimized mobility... and features, a little vague, but worth every penny.

And if you really want the best that Microsoft has to offer, then you will not settle for anything else than Windows Vista Ultimate. And how could you, when you will be able to manage information easily, protected by advanced security features, while enjoying simple network connectivity and the Windows Aero enhanced interface, and when all the data management is done and over with, you can watch some great high definition content on Windows Media Center. Just $399.

If you actually made up your mind about what edition of Vista you want to buy, Dell's superficial descriptions will surely turn you back to a state of confusion. And of course this is not the first time that Dell handles Vista in this manner. The U.S. computer manufacturer is the author of a lamentable comparison of the main Vista editions. Currently, Dell is selling Vista alongside Windows XP and Ubuntu. As of February 2008, XP will no longer be available through retail and OEM licenses, and Dell will have to stick to Vista and Ubuntu. And if the PC maker keeps this up, the Ubuntu distribution of Linux will be quite a hit.