Gadgets, gizmos, and tools to help make you more productive in business

PC World has run an update article on the different pricing schemes for Windows Vista, from its "Basic" to "Upgrade" to "Ultimate" packages. Here is a rundown of some of them. You can read the full article by clicking here. What's interesting is that they compared the prices side by side with how Windows XP costs.


Windows XP Home Edition: $200 new, $100 upgrade

Windows Vista Home Basic
Price according to Amazon: $200 new; $100 upgrade
This is the entry-level edition of Vista targeting lower-end machines.

Windows Vista Home Premium
Price according to Amazon: $240 new; $160 upgrade
This version includes the new Windows Aero user interface, integrated OS-wide search, Media Center software, Windows Tablet PC utilities, and integrated DVD authoring.

Windows XP Professional Edition: $300 new, $200 upgrade

Windows Vista Business
Price according to Amazon: $300 new; $200 upgrade
This version is comparable to Windows XP professional. It doesn't include Media Center functionality, but has features like Remote Desktop and fax support.

Microsoft offers Windows XP Media Center Edition and Windows XP Media Center Tablet Edition, but those can only be purchased pre-loaded on PCs.