With the official release of Vista already here, people are asking the famous question: should I upgrade? and what version is right for me? Well there is no easy answer to either of these questions, but fear not, we can help you through this decision.

Windows Vista Capable and Premium Ready PCs
What is a Windows Vista Capable PC?

A new PC running Windows XP that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo can run Windows Vista. All editions of Windows Vista will deliver core experiences such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run these core experiences at a minimum. Some features available in the premium editions of Windows Vista like the new Windows Aero user experience may require advanced or additional hardware.

A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:

A modern processor (at least 800 MHz).
512 MB of system memory.
A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.

Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs
Some Windows Vista Capable PCs have been designated Premium Ready. These PCs will provide an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero user experience. Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware.
A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:

1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor).
1 GB of system memory.
Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)², Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel.
40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
DVD-ROM Drive.
Audio output capability.
Internet access capability.

Content courtesy of Microsoft

Now these are the absolute minimum requirements that Microsoft suggests.

At Antrim Computers we strongly recommend a more powerful machine for running Vista. For more details, please call us @
603-588-3247.

What version of Vista is right for me?

Windows Vista Home Basic
This version is the basis for the next three major product editions. It contains the core elements of Windows Vista.

Retail: $199.00, Upgrade: $99.95 (USD)
XP Counterpart: Windows XP Home Edition For budget users, general consumers Themes Included: Windows Classic, Windows Vista Basic, Windows Vista Standard
Features: Windows Firewall, Windows Security Center, secure wireless networking, parental controls, anti-spam/anti-virus/anti-spyware functionality, network map, Windows Search, Movie Maker, Photo Library, Windows Media Player, Windows Mail with RSS support and finally P2P Messenger
32-bit and 64-bit version available, up to 8 GB of physical memory

Windows Vista Home Premium

This version is the direct upgrade to Vista Home Basic and is what the average PC user will be using.
Retail: $239.00, Upgrade: $159.00 (USD)
XP Counterpart: Windows XP Media Center Edition
For home entertainment and geared towards the home user or the mobile user
Themes Included: Windows Classic, Windows Vista Basic, Windows Vista Standard, Windows Aero
Features: Everything in Vista Home Basic as well as Media Center and Media Center Extender functionality (including Cable Card support), DVD video authoring and HDTV support, DVD ripping support, mobility (Mobility Center) and presentation features, auxiliary display support, P2P ad-hoc meeting capabilities, Wi-Fi auto-config and roaming, unified parental controls that work over multiple PCs, backup to network functionality, Internet File Sharing, Off line Folders, PC-to-PC sync, Sync Manager, support for Quattro Home Server, extra games, file system encryption, photo management application and finally Tablet PC functionality
32-bit and 64-bit version available, up to 16 GB of physical memory

Windows Vista Business

This version is an alternative upgrade to Vista Home Basic that is the edition that people will tend to use at work.
Retail: $299.00, Upgrade: $199.95 (USD)
XP Counterpart: Windows XP Professional For businesses of all sizes, from the cubicle worker to the IT manager
Themes Included: Windows Classic, Windows Vista Basic, Windows Vista Standard, Windows Aero Features: Everything in Vista Home Basic as well as domain join and management functionality, compatibility with non-Microsoft networking protocols (Netware, SNMP, etc.), Remote Desktop, Microsoft Windows Web Server, Encrypted File System (EFS), IIS web server, fax support, offline files, dual (physical) processor support, Remote Desktop, ad-hoc P2P collaboration capabilities and finally Tablet PC functionality 32-bit and 64-bit version available, up to 128 GB of physical memory

Windows Vista Ultimate

This version is the top of the line version of Windows Vista.
Retail: $399.00, Upgrade: $259.00 (USD)
XP Counterpart: None
For gamers, multimedia professionals and PC Enthusiasts Themes Included: Windows Classic, Windows Vista Basic, Windows Vista Standard, Windows Aero
Features: Everything in Vista Home Premium and Vista Business as well as Windows Ultimate Extras (exclusive access to music, movies, services and preferred customer care) and finally additional customer service options 32-bit and 64-bit version available, up to 128 GB of physical memory
In order to meet the requirements set by the European Union, Microsoft released Vista Home N and Vista Business N.
XP Counterpart: Windows XP Edition N
For Europeans that do not want Windows Media Player
Themes Included: Windows Classic, Windows Vista Basic, Windows Vista Standard, Windows Aero
Identical to Vista Home Basic and Vista Business respectively, except that they are stripped of Windows Media Player 11

Still not sure what to do?
Check these links for more info:

Microsoft's Overview

Wikipedia Overview

Paul Thurott's Overview