I've got 10-12 computers that I'm looking into purchasing, and they all either come with Vista Home Premium, Vista Home Premium 64-bit, or Vista Business. But I can't seem to find any differences. There must be some...can anyone tell me any?

Do you really want to go with Vista at all?

Well, they all come with it. Some come with XP downgrades, and I have an XP disc already...but I guess I want to see if Vista will work with the Video Capture device first.

Well, they all come with it. Some come with XP downgrades, and I have an XP disc already...but I guess I want to see if Vista will work with the Video Capture device first.


Oh I see. Well sorry, can't help ya there, but I just know I can't stand Vista and I know several IT guys (professionals) who won't install on their companies' networks cuz they say it sucks and doesn't interface well with a lot of programs.

I know when I tested it out it was like that. Oh the file converting was a pain in the a$$!!

If someone can answer your Video Capture question that might help, but I know I would "downgrade" as Bill likes to put it so you feel guilty! ;)

just for the sake of future compatibility you are better off going with Vista, it will be more of a hassle if you have older software or hardware you want to use with it - but you'll have to upgrade that eventually too anyways.

as for comparing the different versions, you can look at these guides:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/default.aspx
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2068721,00.asp

but the main differences are that one is more geared towards entertainment and video (Home Premium) and one is more geared towards networking, remote access, secure backups and whatnot (Business).

Vista Ultimate has all the features of both, but most computer makers don't give you that option and it is an expensive upgrade - unless you REALLY need all those features it'd be a waste. Some of computer makers will actually make a custom version that has mostly Home Premium or Business with a couple of extra features thrown in, but you'd really have to look at each very closely to see what you are actually getting.

the 64-bit version is really just for speciific hardware, basically if the computer has a 64-bit processor, and the only real downside to it is that you have to be more careful to ensure that any software you have is 64-bit compatible.

I'm warning you now DON'T GO WITH VISTA...because it ruins your life lol don't do it...i have vista now and it's HORRIBLE...

and just to make it clear, I'm not the biggest fan of Vista - I'm actually quite happy using Windows 98 on my older pc's without all the nagging warnings and completely buried settings and well hidden or removed access to basic necessities.

just for the sake of future compatibility you are better off going with Vista, it will be more of a hassle if you have older software or hardware you want to use with it - but you'll have to upgrade that eventually too anyways.

as for comparing the different versions, you can look at these guides:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/default.aspx
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2068721,00.asp

but the main differences are that one is more geared towards entertainment and video (Home Premium) and one is more geared towards networking, remote access, secure backups and whatnot (Business).

Vista Ultimate has all the features of both, but most computer makers don't give you that option and it is an expensive upgrade - unless you REALLY need all those features it'd be a waste. Some of computer makers will actually make a custom version that has mostly Home Premium or Business with a couple of extra features thrown in, but you'd really have to look at each very closely to see what you are actually getting.

the 64-bit version is really just for speciific hardware, basically if the computer has a 64-bit processor, and the only real downside to it is that you have to be more careful to ensure that any software you have is 64-bit compatible.
So the 32-bit would be fine? All these computers have 64-bit processors in them, so they'd still work ok with 32-bit Vista?

Vista is working much better for me than it did at first. It's now running on Service Pack 1 and the updates are pleasent. I also did away with all the software Dell prepackaged and it seemed to work better after that.
I still do miss my XP desktop and hope to get the hard drive replaced eventually.

So the 32-bit would be fine? All these computers have 64-bit processors in them, so they'd still work ok with 32-bit Vista?
yes, 64-bit processors wil run 32-bit operating systems just fine, but its an all or nothing deal; you have to pick one or the other.

the only real reason you'd want a 64-bit operating system would be if you run programs that actually need huge amounts of RAM (32-bit is limited to 4GB).

yes, 64-bit processors wil run 32-bit operating systems just fine, but its an all or nothing deal; you have to pick one or the other.

the only real reason you'd want a 64-bit operating system would be if you run programs that actually need huge amounts of RAM (32-bit is limited to 4GB).
Ohh...this thing only requires 1GB I believe.


Thanks!!