Hi, Before i buy this version of windows can i ask a few questions just to make sure it can do what i want it to do? 1.I want to hook the computer up to a router so the other computers in that router can get access to the files on each other. 2. Are there any performance increases with better versions? 3. I read that it is about the same level as xp home, would you say that is right? Meaning vista prem would be xp pro?
To answer your questions, I assume you are talking about Home Premium? 1 - will be no problem 2 - There are no performance differences 3 - would be about right
Home Premium is the best feature/cost balance. Home Basic you lose everything including Aero, Media Center and Sidebar. Business and Ultimate really just add Backup and Encryption apps, which I don't think anyone outside enterprise actually uses. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/choose.mspx
Home Basic > Windows XP Home Home Premium > Windows XP Media Centre Edition Business > Windows XP Pro Ultimate > think of this as a mix of Home Premium and Business Ultimate is basically a mix of all the versions, so it has the media centre as well as the drive encryption as well as the ability to be part of a corporate network. Unless you specifically need the obscure features like encryption, corporate networks (servers etc., not just plug into a router) etc. then just go HP for home use.