Microsoft Vista versions
------------------------

• Vista Home Basic ($200 full, $100 upgrade): This covers the basics like surfing the Internet 
  and creating documents. There are parental control features, but you won't find many of the 
  interesting media features.

• Vista Home Premium ($239 full, $159 upgrade): Home Premium will turn your computer into a 
  media hub and features Vista's Aero design, which is intended to make it easier to navigate 
  through Windows. There are improved organizational tools for documents and media files.

• Vista Business ($300 full, $200 upgrade): This is geared for the business user. It won't have
  many of the fancy media tools, but it has built-in protections against malware. There are also
  tools to make backups easier.

• Vista Ultimate ($400 full, $259 upgrade): Vista Ultimate is a hybrid of Vista Business and
  Home Premium. It lets you use your computer as a media center, but has the enhanced business
  features, too.

• Vista Enterprise (only available in volume license): The Enterprise edition boasts drive 
  encryption. You also can run old programs on earlier versions of Windows within the Enterprise
  edition. That will be handy if the old program will not run on Vista itself.

Upgrading can save you $100 or more, but only Windows 2000 or Windows XP can be upgraded. That's 
not surprising. Computers with earlier Windows versions are likely to be overwhelmed by Vista.


System requirements
-------------------

Vista Capable machine requirements: 
   >= 800MHz processor
   >= 512MB memory
   DirectX9 capable graphics processor

A Vista Premium Ready PC: 
   >= 1GHz processor
   >= 1GB memory
   DirectX9 graphics card with a Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM)
   >= 128MB of graphics memory


If you're not buying a new machine
----------------------------------

1. Connect your printer, scanner and other gadgets before proceeding.
2. Check the Vista Upgrade Advisor at www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/upgradeadvisor 
   to scan your machine for known issues.

You may need to upgrade system components. Printers and scanners may need updated drivers. 
Software issues are more complex. Check the manufacturers' sites.


New machines and upgrade coupons
--------------------------------

1. Look for the Vista-ready stickers. And pay attention to the XP version installed on
   the machine.
2. Machines purchased through March 15, 2007, may be eligible for an upgrade. The coupon 
   entitles you to a free or discounted upgrade to Vista. Most manufacturers will offer coupons.

The version of XP on the machine determines which version of Vista you can get. For information 
from each manufacturer, visit Microsoft's site. It links to details on individual manufacturers'
sites. www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/getready/expressupgrade.mspx .

Information above:  Kim Komando