You know, even after owning this version of Vista for some time now, I still think its the most useless piece of junk I have ever bought. I was doing a windows update today, since I havent done so in months, and I am still disappointed at the list of "Ultimate" extras. http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/1306/ultimateextrasbooo.jpg Even though I have the OEM version which was bout $180 I think? I could have saved $100 and gotten the Home Basic. My buddy tells me, that people at my work keep recommending him the Ultimate version (probably because they want the commission), but then I tell him dont do it because it just isnt worth it. I only remember buying Ultimate back then cuz I had the cash? /shrug Anyhow, small vent for me...
It was created for people with more money than sense, so they can say they've got the best version / largest ePenis / etc. I wouldn't both with Home Basic though, too stripped down. Home Premium is ideal for most home users.
Have to agree unless you are addicted to some of the extra games in the Ultimate version I can't see any reason to justify paying the extra to anyone I know or can think of. They really need to cut back on the number of versions of OS they produce it is at something like 7 different versions and there are only 2 or 3 main differences that are not just "bonus pack" type stuff. But I think it just confuses the average consumer looking for a PC or an upgrade to their O.S. to see basic/premium/business/ultimate and variations of those. Particularly when some of the versions are just the primary O.S. with some of its functionality cut out. A bit like a quad core processor with 1 core flagged as disabled even though their were no faults found in the manufacturing. I understand variety can be good as it allows lower price versions, I just don't like it when it is very artificial. i.e. just disabling key functionality/features to make a cheap version. I would rather the cheap version wasn't a snipped O.S. but just the basic O.S. and the more expensive versions came with added extras, i.e. Office/AV/tools/online services/Business related services.
They need to allow incoming RDP connections on Home Premium, then it would be ideal, as currently only Business & Ultimate support this. I'm currently searching for a way to get around this if anybody has any recommendations....and would prefer not using VNC.
pcAnywhere works pretty well. But, seeing as how most home users really have no use for that feature at all, there's no reason to include it. Businesses on the other hand, do have a use for it which is why it's included in Business and Ultimate.
It was created for people who want every single possible feature on Windows without shelling money for the server versions (unless you're like me and have an academic license for the server versions. Unfortunately, the only thing that the server version doesn't have are the extra media playing capabilities included like Windows Media Center). deltatux
Heh, I always forget about Dreamscene because I change my wallpaper every other day. If Dreamscene automatically muted the video, instead of me having to remake one with no audio, then I would use it.
Features Missing from Both Home Basic and Premium Note: additional features missing from Basic are listed separately below to avoid lots of duplication * No support for two processors * Backup limitations: No support for ShadowCopy or image-based system backup/recovery. * No file system encryption * No desktop deployment tools * No policy based QoS networking * No Rights Management Services (RMS) Client * No control over installation of device drivers * No network Access Protection Client agent * No pluggable logon authentication architecture * No integrated smart card management * No BitLocker drive encryption support * No support for worldwide interface languages or simultaneous installations of multiple user interface languages * No subsystem for UNIX-based applications * Does not provide Virtual PC Express * No Windows Ultimate Extras * Small Business Resources * Windows fax and scan * Wireless network provisioning * Only partial support for Windows Mobility Center * Cannot join a network domain * Remote desktop client support, but cannot serve as host * No group policy support * No offline files and folders support * No client-side caching * No support for roaming user profiles * No support for folder redirection * You may not install IIS Additional Features Also Missing from Home Basic Note: this is in addition to those above * No support for scheduled backups or for the backup of files to a network device. * No Aero user interface (glass, live thumbnails, dynamic windows, etc.) * No themed slide shows * No Windows Media Center (recording television, Xbox extensions, HD Movie Maker, and DVD maker) Note: home basic does provide Windows Movie Maker (just not the HD version) * No new premium games * Limited to 5 SMB peer network connections (vice the 10 supported by the other editions) * No tablet PC support * No Windows Slideshow feature * Windows Meeting space support is limited to “view only” * No PC-to-PC synchronization * No network projection * No presentation settings
Oooh, don't forget the other reason Vista Ultimate might have been created-- a way to evaluate how much piracy is going on, as pirates will invariably target the most full-featured version of anything (who would want to download Vista Home Premium, if another group had a working Vista Ultimate). They can compare sales of Ultimate with how many people seem to be using it, to see how widespread piracy is around the world. I doubt anyone would want to download an image of Vista Home Basic, but Ultimate (being the "optimal" version is what everyone will go for when they are all available for free). The fact that Ultimate offers bugger-all useful extras for most users is irrelevant, most users don't buy it, the only people who buy it are those with money to burn. They rest are pirating it. By having an "ultimate" essentially a "XP Professional with bells and whistles" for those who want it and are willing to pay for it, hooks in everyone falling into a quite a small number of users. Vista Ultimate could have been basically "pirate-bait". The pirates got everything they wanted, but Microsoft got usage information of how many versions of Windows everywhere are legal or illegal.
Here is an accurate comparison: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/default.aspx
If people would have looked at it when the Vista edition where shipped, they would have seen that Business = Professional The additional stuff found in Ultimate can be found in other free forms anyway. So that is why my money went for Vista x64 Business OEM.
I just finally looked at that list and saw "Have more fun on your PC"... You guys are missing out~! >_> If you dont have the Ultimate version, you will have level caps, and every game will have harder enemies! Good luck finding those rare drops! All those times I've won UT3 deathmatch games werent because of my skill. It was Vistaaaaaaa Ultimaaaaaate~ "Additional program and features..." dot dot dot!