21 options for Windows Vista!

[ghall]

Out of boredom, and the desire to demonstrate how lucky Mac owners are, I have complied a list of 21 options for Windows Vista. I hope I didn't miss any, because I think 21 versions is quite enough.
So, let's take a look:

Windows Vista Ultimate Full Version
Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade
Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade
Windows Vista Home Premium Full Version
Windows Vista Home Basic Upgrade
Windows Vista Business Upgrade
Windows Vista Business Full Version
Windows Vista Home Basic Full Version
Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade Limited Numbered Signature Edition
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit for System Builders
Windows Vista Business 64-bit for System Builders
Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit for System Builders
Windows Vista Home Basic Additional License Pack
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit for System Builders
Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit for System Builders
Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit for System Builders
Windows Vista Business 32-bit for System Builders
Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit for System Builders
Windows Vista Business 32-bit for System Builders
Windows Vista Home Basic 32-bit for System Builders
Windows Vista Home Premium Spanish Upgrade

Can someone tell me, why, in the name of all things sacred, does Microsoft have 21 options for Windows Vista? Think of all the time and money wasted just t get these different versions produced. Oh the humanity!

 

[monke]

Can someone tell me, why, in the name of all things sacred, does Microsoft have 21 options for Windows Vista? Think of all the time and money wasted just t get these different versions produced. Oh the humanity!

No I can't tell you why. Its actually insane.

But to get the versions different it wasn't that big of a deal. Just make one, like Mac OS X, with everything in it. Then make one with half the feature, and the one after that with a quarter the features. But I still don't know why they have 21 different versions.

 

[jsw]

I think you're being completely unfair. Apple offers:

• Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger
• Mac OS X Server v10.4 Tiger

So, really, MS offers just over ten times as many options, not the 21 times as many as you deceptively implied.;)

 

[Yurtra]

I think you're being completely unfair. Apple offers:

• Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger
• Mac OS X Server v10.4 Tiger

So, really, MS offers just over ten times as many options, not the 21 times as many as you deceptively implied.;)

Great sarcasm. ;-)

 

[yippy]

Also, you have Windows Vista Business 32-bit for System Builders in the list twice so there are only 10 times as many versions as there are of Mac OS X

And we wonder why people don't like to upgrade because it is a hassle.

 

[ghall]

Also, you have Windows Vista Business 32-bit for System Builders in the list twice so there are only 10 times as many versions as there are of Mac OS X

So I do. Nice catch.

 

[FleurDuMal]

What's Windows Vista?

 

[hopejr]

I think you're being completely unfair. Apple offers:

• Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger
• Mac OS X Server v10.4 Tiger

So, really, MS offers just over ten times as many options, not the 21 times as many as you deceptively implied.

Actually, Vista server hasn't been released yet, nor is it in the list the OP provided, so it still is 21 times the number of options.

 

[balamw]

What!

No love for Vista Starter Edition or Vista Enterprise?

Also, Apple does sell OS X in Family Packs.

B

 

[twoodcc]

i was in fry's today, and decided to look at Vista on the computers on display. not a single one had Vista Ultimate, not one

 

[thebeephaha]

I just got ULTIMATE from a friend at M$ for $75...

 

[StealthRider]

What a jerk you have for a friend, charging you for that garbage.

Church bought a Dell Inspiron E1505 (Turion X2) with Vista Premium pre-loaded. It crashed first time out, in the middle of a service.

 

[carlos700]

Do not forget the windows-media free "N" versions. There are N versions for Basic, Premium and Business in addition to their respective upgrade versions.

 

[taylorwilsdon]

Its asinine to compare that list to Apples operating system, because Apple closes its software platform to all hardware builders, so all those builder licenses shouldn't be compared. Whoops, there goes half your list.

In reality, Apple offers a number of other products (specialized language packs, multi-packs, family licenses etc.)

Being a fanboy doesn't make you right. Microsoft, despite all their flaws, knows what they're doing.

 

[ghall]

Its asinine to compare that list to Apples operating system, because Apple closes its software platform to all hardware builders, so all those builder licenses shouldn't be compared. Whoops, there goes half your list.

In reality, Apple offers a number of other products (specialized language packs, multi-packs, family licenses etc.)

Being a fanboy doesn't make you right. Microsoft, despite all their flaws, knows what they're doing.

Well, obviously Apple has to have specialized language packs because there are many different languages that Mac OS X has to support. Though, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't all the language packs for Mac OS X come on the regular install CD?

My point was that there are FAR too many options. I am even confused and overwhelmed, despite being quite computer savvy (if I do say so myself ). There are only 3 versions of Mac OS X: Mac OS X, Mac OS X Family Pack, and Mac OS X Server, and they come with, what I think, are much clearer distinctions than say Windows Vista Home Basic, and Windows Vista Home Premium. There's no reason why Microsoft can't have a much more simple product line. If they were smart, the most complex product line they should have would be:
Windows Vista Home
Windows Vista Professional
Windows Vista Additional License Pack

Three very basic options, easily distingushable by name. The buyer knows what he or she is getting, and isn't overwhelmed with 20+ options. Though if they were really smart, they'd have an even more simple product line by combining the Home and Professional versions, and simply make Windows Vista.

You are right about the versions for system builders, I'll give you that. But that still leaves half the list, plus the Vista Starter and Vista Enterprise versions that balamw mentioned, which still leaves significantly more options, and leaves it significantly more confusing, than Apple's offering.

Call me a fanboy, call me whatever, but I just go for the product I think is superior, and to me, Apple's products, despite their flaws, are far superior to anything Microsoft can offer.

[/end rant]

 

[jdechko]

No I can't tell you why. Its actually insane.

Just make one, like Mac OS X, with everything in it.

I like it this way. I've been a PC user for a long time (still am unfortunately, but I am a Mac User at heart). But when I first started reading about Macs, I didn't understand why there was no Pro version of OS X. Then I realized that there doesn't need to be one... that Apple included all of it in one package (aside from server). Looking at it now it makes sense; and Microsoft's way of doing it seems even more ridiculous now that Vista's out.

 

[MRU]

I saw Vista ultimate (not upgrade) in a electronics shop today. €569 ($720) That's just insane.

I imagine 10.5 + iLife 07 together will cost me €200 at the most. I know where my money's going

 

[balamw]

i was in fry's today, and decided to look at Vista on the computers on display. not a single one had Vista Ultimate, not one

FWIW Vista was completely gone from display at a Target I visited earlier today. Last week it was prominently displayed, today gone.

B

 

[2ndPath]

Its asinine to compare that list to Apples operating system, because Apple closes its software platform to all hardware builders, so all those builder licenses shouldn't be compared. Whoops, there goes half your list.

In reality, Apple offers a number of other products (specialized language packs, multi-packs, family licenses etc.)

Being a fanboy doesn't make you right. Microsoft, despite all their flaws, knows what they're doing.

If you would really count all the non-english language versions, then it would multiply the vista numbers quite a lot.

But your first statement really explains why there are to be so much more vista versions:

1.: For Apple there is no use in distinguishing full versions and upgrade versions. If they offered both, nobody would buy the full version because every potential customer already has a Mac, which came with a Mac OS license, and therefore could just buy the upgrade.

2.: Apple does not sell system builder licenses, but according to my experience the installation discs coming with Macs are usually not compatible with other Macs (iMac disc does not work on a PowerMac for example). So there are different versions of OS X as there are the 32 and 64 bit Vista versions system builder versions, but they are not "visible" because they are not sold separately.

So when you compare the number of versions the most accurate comparison is probably: 1 Mac OS version vs. 4 Vista versions (Basic, Premium, Business and Ultimate).

 

[balamw]

1 Mac OS version vs. 4 Vista versions (Basic, Premium, Business and Ultimate).

Everyone seems to forget Starter, Enterprise and the -N versions.

What are they, red-headed stepchildren?

B

 

[kellen]

I just got ULTIMATE from a friend at M$ for $75...

Nice friend, seeing MS charges only 45 for it for their employees.

Same friend who got me my copy (on backorder), says that all or most retail copies are the full version, just the cd key is what differentiates what it will unlock. Sort of a horrible idea, seeing how easy it was to get a key for XP when I lost mine.

 

[ghall]

Everyone seems to forget Starter, Enterprise and the -N versions.

What are they, red-headed stepchildren?

B

and don't forget Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade Limited Numbered Signature Edition!

 

[2ndPath]

Everyone seems to forget Starter, Enterprise and the -N versions.

What are they, red-headed stepchildren?

B

The -N versions certainly are the red-headed stepchildren. I think they only exist because MS is forced to offer them. They don't want to sell them and for the customer there is really no reason to buy them. Maybe I am wrong with that and the sell like hot cakes, but I doubt it.

The starter edition is another step child, only made for customers in emerging countries.

The enterprise version certainly is not a step child but rather the well-kept daughter only allowed to be in the company of selected good friends (big enterprizes).

 

[marcosscriven]

Out of boredom, and the desire to demonstrate how lucky Mac owners are, I have complied a list of 21 options for Windows Vista. I hope I didn't miss any, because I think 21 versions is quite enough.
So, let's take a look:

...

Can someone tell me, why, in the name of all things sacred, does Microsoft have 21 options for Windows Vista? Think of all the time and money wasted just t get these different versions produced. Oh the humanity!

Oh no - ANOTHER 'Lets bash Windows thread'... How original.

How much time did Microsoft waste creating different versions? Probably about as much time as you did counting them and writing a long sarcy thread about it.

As it happens - I don't think so many versions is a good idea from a consumer point of view. However, it clearly makes sense from a business point of view, at least to start with, as people with more cash, or businesses, will just go for the 'Ultimate' or 'Business' edition. To be fair, it does ALL come on one DVD - one just has to pay for a different key if you want to upgrade. It's capitalist econmics, and unfortunately that's the reality. I'd prefer one version, with everything in. The downside would be that that version would probably be more expensive.

As for the constant Microsoft bashing:

1) If your Mac is so great, why do people like you need constantly maraude the 'Windows on Mac' forum? Why not just get on enjoying your Mac?

2) Why is it SOOO black & white? Microsoft is a load of ****, and Apple is wonderful?

3) Like it or not, Windows does have dominance - you've got to ask yourself why? It's NOT just legacy.


Frankly, I only bought Vista as I'm a software engineer, and I need to make sure that I am both familiar with it, and that the software I write works ok on it. I really think it's over priced, and very disappointing - not a great deal has changed, and quite a lot has become more restrictive (DRM etc.)

I bought the latest MBP because I think the hardware is great (NOT perfect). But it's still one of the best laptops I've had.

However, NO WAY would I have bought it if there were no way to run Windows on it. Mac OS does serve a niche - but what is 'simple' to one person, is overly dumbed down for another. It's infuriating the amount of hardware and software that just doesn't work with Mac OS.

Another thing that concerns me is the lack of distinction between operating systems and hardware. Mac and Mac OS X go hand in hand. They write and test everything for an extraordinarily specific set of hardware. Windows is ONLY an OS. And it seems you guys shoot them down for every single poor bit of hardware out there.

In my experience, Windows XP, and so far Vista, have been very stable and responsive on the MBP. But in Mac OS on the same hardware, on more than one occasion, already, I've had the wonderful ¨Im not going to crash, I'll just show a rainbow¨ mouse pointer. I prefer the BSOD, and least you get some feedback!

So stop bashing, to a religous degree, Windows products. Bear constructive critcism if you will, but let's learn from each other.

Finally - an idea (which many may hate):

I think Mac is far better at the hardware game than the software game - BUT, if they opened up the source code and made it into an open source project which they sponsored, then their hardware sales could go through the roof. Think of an OS that was supported by a huge company, with fantastic hardware, AND was open to thousands of geeks accross the world contributing their time to it?

 

[princealfie]

Its asinine to compare that list to Apples operating system, because Apple closes its software platform to all hardware builders, so all those builder licenses shouldn't be compared. Whoops, there goes half your list.

In reality, Apple offers a number of other products (specialized language packs, multi-packs, family licenses etc.)

Being a fanboy doesn't make you right. Microsoft, despite all their flaws, knows what they're doing.

Really? I doubt that M$ really knows what they are doing to be honest...