Microsoft currently delivers a wide variety of Windows Vista editions. So wide in fact that it is the source for customer confusion. But the fact of the matter is that there are more or less six editions of Windows Vista at your disposal. Why more or less? Bear with me and you'll find out.

Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise and Ultimate are the core editions of Windows Vista. Of course that there also are the European versions and the signature edition but those are nuances of these main versions. So which one to buy?

Well, we will have to rule out Windows Vista Starter and Enterprise. The first will only be available on emerging markets and is a stripped down version of Home Basic while the other is addressed at the Microsoft Software Assurance program via volume licensing. The Enterprise edition was designed as a premium business Windows Vista version.

So we have narrowed it down to Home Basic, Home Premium, Business and Ultimate. Let's also cut Home Basic as it is an edition aimed at low resource systems and delivers only a basic user experience. In this context, Home Premium is the edition that will deliver a premium home experience. Windows Aero, Windows Flip 3D, Windows Media Center, Windows Movie Maker, and Windows DVD Maker are among the features that complement and recommend this edition.

Windows Vista Business is dedicated to the business environment. If Enterprise is not an option, then Business is the only solution. With advanced backup features, Remote Desktop and connectivity enhancements this should be on every desktop in your office.
Windows Vista has it all. Microsoft has spared no features on its high-end offering and you will spare little purchasing it. A superset of the features delivered by all the Windows Vista editions will be available to the users, including BitLocker that is found only in Enterprise and in Windows Server Longhorn.