Microsoft has been building to this moment for a long, long time [as have Microsoft shareholders, myself included]. Windows Vista, that first major OS revamp since XP [and one Microsoft execs universally agree is the most important in the company's history], is finally here and the details of the release and versioning are finally making their way to the blogosphere.
There is lots of discussion on the topic at meme, but I'll give credit to the first blogger to come forward with the details, Paul Thurrott. According to Thurrott, there are 8 versions of Vista set for release:
- Starter 2007 -- A 32-bit version without the Aero graphics display; not really part of the Vista branding
- Vista Home Basic -- The baseline Vista edition, aimed at single PC homes
- Vista Home Basic N -- The baseline version without Windows Media Player included; primarily for the EU [to deal with antitrust settlement restrictions]
- Vista Home Premium -- Includes baseline functionality and a host of entertainment based extras including Media Center
- Vista Business -- The professional version, aimed at business users
- Vista Business N -- Professional version sans Media Player; primarily for the EU
- Vista Enterprise -- "Optimized for the enterprise" according to Thurrott. Will include new features including Virtual PC and Cornerstone encryption
- Vista Ultimate -- All the features of the home and business editions, with added features. Thurrott calls it "the best operating system ever offered for a personal PC, optimized for the individual."
One cannot understate the importance of Vista for Microsoft, particularly as an investment. After the company launched SQL Server 2005 [and BizTalk & Visual Studio], the stock hit a 52-week high and seemed to have finally garnered enthusiasm after several years of investor malaise. But since then the stock has languished again for several reasons:
- A less-than-blistering initial launch of XBox 360 [thanks to component shortages primarily]
- A very public head-to-head loss to Google for AOL search & advertising
- Discussions of further delays in Office 12 [i.e., Office 2007]
- Rumors that Bill Clinton was replacing Steve Ballmer [OK, maybe only the GOPs got worked up about this one :) ]
You can be sure a LOT more discussion, dissection and analysis will follow as Microsoft officially rolls out the Vista suites. As a long suffering Microsoft shareholder, I hope the long [loooooooooooong] awaited Vista debut lives up to billing, and then some.
UPDATE [2/28/06]: Microsoft has officially unveiled the Vista versions.
Note: At the time of this writing I, and/or funds I maintain discretionary control over, maintained a long equity position in MSFT.
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