Vista is available in 4 versions to the consumer, which adds much confusion. In the past we only had XP Home and XP Pro to decide between. If we were to compare XP to Vista then Vista Home Premium would be comparable to XP Home. Vista Ultimate would be comparable to a combination of XP Media Center and XP Pro.
| Feature | Home Basic | Home Premium | Business | Ultimate |
| 64-bit processor support |  | | | |
| Games Explorer | | | | |
| Instant search | | | | |
| IPv6 support | | | | |
| Parental Controls | | | | |
| Speech recognition | | | | |
| Sync center | | | | |
| User account control | | | | |
| anytime upgrade | | | | |
| Backup & Restore | | | | |
| Windows Calendar | | | | |
| Windows Defender | | | | |
| Display Driver Model | | | | |
| Easy Transfer | | | | |
| Firewall | | | | |
| Hotstart | | | | |
| Windows mail | | | | |
| Media Player 11 | | | | |
| Mobility center | limited | limited | | |
| Windows photo gallery | | | | |
| ReadyBoost | | | | |
| ReadyDrive | | | | |
| Security center | | | | |
| SuperFetch | | | | |
| sidebar | | | | |
| Windows update | | | | |
| Welcome center | | | | |
| XPS document support | | | | |
| Log-in authentication | | | | |
| Aero interface | | | | |
| Windows meeting space | limited | | | |
| Windows right management | | | | |
| Windows Tablet PC | | | | |
| DVD maker | | | ||
| Media Center | | | ||
| Movie maker | | | | |
| Movie maker HD | | | ||
| Domain join SBS | | | ||
| Encrypting file system | | | ||
| Smart card management | | | ||
| Group policy support | | | ||
| Roaming user profiles | | | ||
| Virtual PC express | | | ||
| Bitlocker encryption | | | ||
| Fax and scan | | | ||
| Shadow copy | | | ||
| Ultimate Extras | |
This isn't necessarily bad, but Vista comes in both 32 bit and 64 bit versions (just to add to the confusion). All modern processors will run both, but most of today's software is written in 32 bit. Another issue with 64 bit Vista is that device drivers aren't available for all hardware, meaning some of your hardware may not work. Microsoft requires all device drivers for 64 bit Vista to be signed. This may present a problem when an exploit is identified in a device driver. If this happens the device driver for Vista 32 bit can be rewritten and pushed to the user in very little time. If this were to happen on 64 bit Vista you may be in for a wait, while your computer remains vulnerable.
Key Vista features
Backup and Restore: Finally a better solution which will allow easier file backups included with the OS. The average user (especially one who doesn't read Daves Computer Tips) isn't aware of great programs link Acronis True Image. This will give them an application native to the OS. Hopefully this will result in a lot less data loss.
Speech Recognition: This technology has made great strides in the last 10 years. Inclusion with the OS will but the technology into the hands of millions over the next few years, which (hopefully) will lead to wider use and better integration in other software programs.
Performance Assessment: This your PC has slowed down? Now you can actually see if that's true by taking benchmarks and comparing them to earlier tests.
Windows Flip and Flip 3D: Using Alt+Tab has always allowed switching between programs. In Vista it shows a actual screen shots of the programs. The taskbar will also show a screen shot of a program when you hover over the icon.
ReadyBoost: Physical RAM is the fastest way for Windows to work. When Windows runs out of RAM is starts using virtual memory (the paging file) to store parts of memory that aren't a priority. The paging file is a file on your hard drive and hard drives are extremely slow when compared to RAM. This results in a slower and sluggish PC. ReadyBoost allows the user to insert a compatible flash drive or SD card which Windows will use as the primary paging file, which should help eliminate the sluggishness.
ReadyDrive: Drive manufacturers have started making hybrid drives that contain flash memory. This will allow Windows to read and write to the flash (much faster than the actual hard drive) and have the flash written to the hard drive when there is time. Though these drive aren't common yet they will allow Windows to start and operate faster.
SuperFetch: Windows will monitor which programs you use and will preload them in the background so they start faster.
Kernel Memory Management: The kernel is the brain of the OS, basically controlling everything including memory. The memory management component of the Vista Kernel is a total rewrite with an emphasis on better memory management. This means that what memory we do have will be better utilized.
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