In order to help you make up your mind as to what edition to purchase, I will summarize the principal features of Windows Vista and discuss them by edition. With the celebration launch of Windows Vista scheduled to debut later today in New York and the commercial availability of the operating system planned for tomorrow, January, 30, there is only the issue of what is the right edition for you.

And the fact of the matter is that while being the most inexpensive of the bunch, Windows Vista Home Basic is a stripped down experience of the Wow promised by Microsoft. My advice is, taking into account the hardware that you have available, to go for either Home Premium, Business of Ultimate.

Windows Aero, Windows Flip 3D navigation, Scheduled and Network Backup, Windows Meeting Space, and Tablet Technology are features that you will be able to enjoy in Vista Home Premium, Vista Business, and Vista Ultimate. However, Windows BitLocker Drive Encryption and Complete PC Backup and Restore are only available in Vista Business and Vista Ultimate.

The casual Windows Vista games will be included in Vista Home Premium and Ultimate only. Only these two vista editions will offer Chess Titans, Mahjong Titans, Purble Place, and Inkball. Additionally, Windows DVD Maker and HD support for Windows Movie Maker are also features limited to the Home Premium and Ultimate editions, as is Windows Media Center.

In the same manner, there are capabilities restricted to the Ultimate and Business versions, such as Domain Join, Group Policy support, Windows Fax and Scan, Encrypting File System (EFS), Shadow Copy, Corporate Roaming, Offline Files and Folders, and Remote Desktop.

Hope this helps. For an exhaustive comparison between all the editions of Windows Vista, including Home Basic, Home Premium, Enterprise, Business and Ultimate, as well as to find out how you can install Vista without a product key, follow this link.