Most people I know have no idea that they can go out, as of tomorrow, and purchase a copy of the new Microsoft Operating System: Windows Vista. In fact, most of my friends and family don’t really care (especially those of them who have recently converted to using Macs).

For those of you who might care, you can go to the official propaganda site for Microsoft: The Windows Vista Home Page. There is even a link there that will let you watch Bill Gates introduce the new version of Microsoft’s flagship. The official site also links you to places to buy the new Operating System (OS) as well as a tool to tell you whether or not your old computer is just too old to run the new OS. I haven’t watched the video yet, though I do occasionally find Bill Gates to be entertaining.

I have, however, done some looking into the various editions of the new OS. It’s certainly more confusing than previous sells of Windows — not the software itself, but the way Microsoft is selling the software. There are several different editions now, and not just “Home” and “Professional” as there were with Windows XP. Now there is Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, Vista Business, and Vista Ultimate. Personally, I prefer anything with the word “Ultimate” in it, but the problem, for me, is it’s more expensive than the other versions.

Here’s a breakdown of a list of “features” courtesy of CNET.com: What’s in Your Windows Vista? - CNET Reviews

The chart you’ll find there doesn’t, sadly, include the price differences between the different versions. It also doesn’t include info on two versions of the OS that you probably won’t be able to find: Vista Starter and Vista Enterprise. Starter is only for impoverished people outside the USA; Enterprise is only for those people on the opposite end of the economic spectrum — big businesses. Oh, and if you want to pay some extra $$$, you can get Windows Vista Ultimate Signature Edition — it is actually signed by Bill Gates himself!!!

Here is the price breakdown (courtesy of CompUSA):

• $99.99 - Windows Vista Home Basic Upgrade
• $159.99 - Windows Vista Home Premium Upgrade
• $199.99 - Windows Vista Home Basic
• $199.99 - Windows Vista Business Upgrade
• $239.99 - Windows Vista Home Premium
• $259.99 - Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade
• $289.99 - Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade Signature Edition
• $299.99 - Windows Vista Business
• $399.99 - Windows Vista Ultimate

Personally, I’d like to know where the Windows Vista Ultimate Signature Edition (non-upgrade) can be found. Sarcasm aside, essentially no one will care about the prices on the full/non-upgrade editions, because if you’re going to get a new PC, it’ll come with Windows Vista. From the reviews I’ve read (since I don’t have this yet and won’t get it until I can afford it…meaning several more months or years…I’m still running Windows 98 on one computer because Windows ME is AWFUL and I don’t want to fork out for XP), there is no reason to not get the new system on your new computer. But there’s also not much of a reason to upgrade, unless you just really want to be on the “cutting edge” of technology. Of course, if that’s you, you probably already know that Vista really isn’t much different from XP — the two Operating Systems are about as different from one another as Internet Explorer 6 is different from Internet Explorer 7.

If anybody does actually get Vista anytime soon, leave a comment with your thoughts. I’d love to hear from some actual users of the new system!