Windows XP themes

[ZoomZoom71]

OK, so what version of Vista is "free"? I can't see it in the link?

[CamDawg]

Eric,
Home Premium.

The upgrade path with Express Upgrade if you would buy a computer with XP or a stand-alone copy of XP is:
XP Home --> Vista Home Basic
XP Media Ctr --> Vista Home Premium
XP Pro --> Vista Business

This URL tells the difference among the versions: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvist...s/default.mspx

[ZoomZoom71]

Thanks for the link. I think I had seen some of that before, but didn't know about the relationship w/ the upgrades. I wonder how much it costs to upgrade to a higher level. I think I'd be more interested in the Ultimate version.

[CamDawg]

Eric,
I think that I read somewhere that the anytime upgrade from Home Premium to Ultimate is around $100. If you don't mind me asking, why do you need Ultimate? The only things that it offer over Home Premium are Bitlocker drive encryption (which has received mixed reviews and can be accomplished via free or cheap add-ins) and domain-based networking. The domain networking probably won't have a work around (unlike the one with Media Center), so if have a server and use GP, I can see why you would need Ultimate; otherwise, you should be just fine with Home Premium.

[ZoomZoom71]

From what I've been told by one of my Network Engineer friends, Ultimate is the way to go Networking functionality. I guess it's possibly the same as having XP Home VS. XP Pro.

[Jon Liu]

Yeah, I hear the same thing about Ultimate. It's probably worthwhile to pony up for Ultimate just for the networking capabilities!

[CamDawg]

The only two networking differences are domains and remote desktop in Ultimate. Do either of you use either of these features in your home network?

For the computers that I manage at work, I wouldn't consider any version that didn't offer domain-based networking because I use a Windows 2003 server and group policy to manage our network workstations; however, I have no need for domains at home.

Obviously, it's a personal choice, but I hate to see someone throw money at a feature that they will probably never use. Now if you are installing it on a laptop that you will take to a workplace that uses domain-based networking, then Ultimate would be your best choice.

[ZoomZoom71]

Well, just because you say so, Cam, I'm gettin' Premium! Honestly, though, you're probably right. While I spent a few extra bucks to get XP Pro when I last updated my tower in '03, I probably haven't even used the utilities that make it different from Home.