We will continue this article from where we left off last week. If you missed last week's article you can read it at: www.jamaica-star.com.

There are currently five Vista editions to choose from. Some are not worth mentioning, while others can be considered. Let's do a small summary for each. The first off the line is the Windows Vista Starter Edition. This version is really not worth mentioning and is definitely a no-no if you are purchasing a computer. Windows Vista Starter is not available in developed technology markets such as the United States, the European Union, Australia or Japan. Windows Vista Starter ships on lower-cost computers sold by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and Microsoft OEM distributors.

Windows Vista Home Basic is also another version of Vista that is not worth mentioning. This is a very limited version of Vista and is also a no-no. There are 17 benchmark features that Microsoft uses to differentiate between the different versions of Vista. Of the 17 features, Windows Vista Home Basic only has three. So even though it's better than the Vista Starter, it is still very limited.

nice choice

This leaves us with three Vista versions now worth considering. Windows Vista Home Premium is a nice choice for home users. It is the first of the five choices that comes with beautiful Vista interface that is very soft on the eyes. It also comes with 12 of the 17 Vista features. The five Vista features that are excluded from this version are in the business and additional security category, which are not necessary for the average home users.

The next option is the Windows Vista Business. As the name suggests, this version is for office environments. Features such as the remote desktop will allow you to access your business resources and applications. This edition comes with 11 of the 17 Vista features. Notably missing from the Vista business are media features; like the media center and the DVD creator.

The last option is the Windows Vista Ultimate. This is by far the best option available and also the most expensive. It comes with all the 17 Vista features available and then some. Not much to say about this version except it's a good choice.

The following specifies the memory limitation for physical memory (RAM) as it relates to Windows Vista:

1.Windows Vista Ultimate, memory maximum for 32-bit: 4GB and 128GB maximum for its 64-bit counterpart.

2. Windows Vista Business, memory maximum for 32-bit: 4GB and 128GB maximum for its 64-bit counterpart.

3. Windows Vista Home Premium, memory maximum for 32-bit: 4GB and 16GB maximum for its 64-bit counterpart.

4. Windows Vista Home Basic, memory maximum for 32-bit: 4GB and 8GB maximum for its 64-bit counterpart.

5. Windows Vista Starter, memory maximum for 32-bit: 1GB there; is no 64-bit counterpart for Windows Vista Starter.

Both Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Business can support two physical processors simultaneously. Please note that these two actual processors and not CPU cores. Your motherboard must be able to support to physical processors to enable this.

Look out for Part 4 next Wed-nesday when we will speak about whether or not to go Vista.

For questions and comments

Technical writer: Kamar McIntyre

Tel: 849-9381 Email:

kamar_mcintyre@yahoo.com