Visions of Vista versions surface

By Alun Williams

Posted on 21 Feb 2006 at 16:54

Speculation is circling the Internet over the versions of Windows Vista to be released by Microsoft.

The story originated from a temporary posting by Microsoft of a Windows Vista help page. Eagle-eyed Microsoft watchers noted that it detailed six core Vista versions, along with two 'N' editions (Media Player-less versions - to conform with the European anti-trust settlement).

Microsoft has responded by stating that the Web page was posted prematurely and 'included incomplete information about the Windows Vista product line up'.

The page was posted, said a Microsoft spokesperson, to test the Windows Vista help system. 'We will share more information about the Windows Vista line up in the coming weeks,' they added.

For the record, the editions displayed were: Windows Starter 2007; Windows Vista Enterprise; Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista ultimate, Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Home Basic N and Windows Vista Business N.

The current XP versions are: Home Edition, Professional, Media Center Edition, Tablet PC Edition, Professional x64 Edition and the 'N' editions.

Whether this prefigures the end of a Tablet PC Edition and a Media Center Edition we shall see shortly.