Vista and choice

[Somenoob]

Is any one else seeing the irony in this?

Those in favor of the closed-source model(like MS) often criticize the choices in open source(too many distros, DEs). However, here they come with a new OS that has six editions and there are two target markets consumer and business. But XP has 2(Pro and home) which did not differ that much from each other.

[Trebuchet]

Gotta agree it's more than a bit ironic. Vista really should have had only two versions: A business version and a home version.

Of course, even the six versions it has is two orders of magnitude less than the (IIRC) 120+ Linux distros. So, objectively, what's wrong with multiple versions?

[mysticrider92]

So, objectively, what's wrong with multiple versions?

Normally, nothing. But when they are priced above $100 (for the barebones version) and the one everyone wants is over two to four times that expensive, there is something wrong.

[Trebuchet]

Normally, nothing. But when they are priced above $100 (for the barebones version) and the one everyone wants is over two to four times that expensive, there is something wrong.Define "everyone." You mean computer aficionados, I suspect. That's probably a very tiny percentage of the users of Vista. Most everyday users will probably be perfectly happy with Home Premium and never give Ultimate a second thought.

Why should a price disparity be objectionable? I don't gripe because a Rolls-Royce costs cost 8 times as much as a Kia. I have a choice. Why should the Rolls-Royce approach to software be any different? I rather suspect MS is deliberately trying to enhance that desirability by pricing Vista Ultimate so high. The idea is that only true hardcore geeks will have Ultimate; the unwashed masses can get by with Basic or Premium (or Linux!) :D

[mysticrider92]

I guess I should have said a good many. And I was actually referring to Home Premium, I don't really care about the features Ultimate includes (especially not Ultimate Bill Gates Limited Edition).

[Trebuchet]

I guess I should have said a good many. And I was actually referring to Home Premium, I don't really care about the features Ultimate includes (especially not Ultimate Bill Gates Limited Edition).Well, I must admit it rather boggled my mind when I found out there were actually people who collect operating systems like other people collect baseball cards. I suppose in such circles Bill Gates' signature must have some intrinsic value, but it wouldn't to me.

Home Premium is really the mainstream release of Vista. Basic is a stripped down version.