Microsoft unveils official Vista lineup, bye-bye Media Center
by Richard Lawler 
posted Feb 27th 2006 at 8:51AM
Remember when people thought that Windows XP Home, Professional and later Media Center would be to
confusing for customers? Cuz Microsoft definitely doesn't. They officially announced the various versions of Vista this
morning, and good luck keeping all six (yes 6) of them straight. Since we know that what you really
want to do is record TV shows and stream high definition
content to your Xbox 360, only two of them will really satisfy.Vista Business and Vista Enterprise are targeted towards workplaces small and large, respectively. Vista Home Basic continues your usual Windows XP/98/95 family tree with some enhancements, while Vista Starter is meant for low cost computers in emerging markets. Vista Home Premium adds the Aero desktop feature, Tablet PC and Media Center capabilities and Vista Ultimate is the do-everything of the bunch, including all of the available features.
We're disappointed Microsoft didn't include Media Center capabilities across the product line. Besides the confusion factor, how are you supposed to tell your boss you need IT to install Vista Ultimate because you want to stream the HD Beat podcast while playing Project Gotham on one of the conference room projectors?
Filed under: Media PCs
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dan @ Feb 27th 2006 11:39AM
You guys are blind and/or retarded. Windows Vista Home Premium has Media Center.
"Windows Media Center capabilities turn the PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. Consumers can use Media Center to record and watch TV shows (even high-definition TV) and access new kinds of online entertainment content. It also provides the ability to connect Windows Vista Home Premium to Xbox 360, extending the Media Center experience to multiple rooms in the home."
Richard Lawler @ Feb 27th 2006 11:51AM
Luckily for you Dan, we here at HD Beat aren't nearly so judgemental when it comes to visual acuity or intelligence.
"Vista Home Premium adds the Aero desktop feature, Tablet PC and Media Center capabilities and Vista Ultimate is the do-everything of the bunch, including all of the available features."
Karthik @ Feb 27th 2006 12:16PM
To be fair, I think Dan misread this from your post:
"We're disappointed Microsoft didn't include Media Center capabilities across the product line."
:)