I agree completely that people who paid extra for Vista Ultimate didn't end up getting enough to make it worthwhile - the "Ultimate Extras" were all kind of lame, and not worth the upcharge that Microsoft did on Ultimate.
But how is this program "screwing" Ultimate owners? Because there isn't a special price for Ultimate owners? I don't know how you can get much better than 50% off MSRP - well, unless it was free.
I do not see a "Special Pre-order", "Limited time" offer for Vista Ultimate owners; that is why IMO Ultimate owners are penalized.
Technically speaking I think it is possible to do it.... with some workaround; personally I would always prefer to perform a clean install so my guess is that it would be possible to install XP and then install an "upgrade" copy of W7 Home Premium or Professional wiping out the "old" XP folder.
My point is that people who got "burned" by Vista Ultimate should be offered, at least, the same kind of "deal" offered to the ones who bought one of the cheaper and "less controversial" version of Vista.
Besides I personally need the ability to join a Domain and BitLocker.
I would be curious to know what features prompted the Pro decision. The 3 differences checked in the comparison box were nebulous at best.
I'm not the one you were asking, but I bought the pro version and so can answer for myself. There were three features that were useful to me that are in Pro but not Home.
1. Remote Desktop. I don't use it all the time, but I do use it sometimes when I travel. I'll set it up before I leave and can then access my full system from an Internet Cafe. Yeah, there are still places in the world where you can't get Internet in your hotel room and so you have to go that route.
2. The XP Virtual Machine is supported in Pro but not Home. I know I could work it all out myself with a free solution from elsewhere, but I like the idea of having them have it all set up for me. (I still have to download it, but I don't have to learn all about virtual machines, set up separate partitions, etc.)
3. Presentation mode is only on Pro and not on Home. That's very useful to me, though I know it wouldn't be to some others.
Those three things are worth an extra $50 to me.
On the discussion about Ultimate, from the best I can tell from web sites about the different versions, there is really no reason why anyone outside of an enterprise should even want it. The extra features over Pro are really obscure and there is nothing like the Vista so-called Extras. It's effectively the same as the Enterprise version, but licensed to individuals. I can't see why anyone not trying to lock down a company's computer systems would want it.
Yeah, that list is pretty lame - I'd guess it's Remote Desktop, that's the feature that a lot of people really like. But there are many great, and free, options to get that.
For someone with a Windows Home Server having RDP means you can connect to your pc's without having to go through a 3rd party.
__________________
Back to being The Last Windows Mobile Fanboy
2. The XP Virtual Machine is supported in Pro but not Home. I know I could work it all out myself with a free solution from elsewhere, but I like the idea of having them have it all set up for me. (I still have to download it, but I don't have to learn all about virtual machines, set up separate partitions, etc.)
It's not just that it's supported - it's that you get license to use XP within the VM. You could do the same in Home Premium, but then you'd need to have a legal license of XP, and most people - who buy Windows with an OEM license on that machine, that allow it to be used on that machine only, do not have that without buying a license elsewhere.
Technically, you can probably do so. Legally, most likely you cannot. If being legal is important to you, and you need XP support within a VM for whatever reason, an extra $50 for a license of XP is extremely reasonable.
(Unless I am reading Microsoft's web site's description of XP Mode incorrectly, and Pro does not bundle a license for XP. If that's so, then never mind. . .)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Alexander
On the discussion about Ultimate, from the best I can tell from web sites about the different versions, there is really no reason why anyone outside of an enterprise should even want it. The extra features over Pro are really obscure and there is nothing like the Vista so-called Extras. It's effectively the same as the Enterprise version, but licensed to individuals. I can't see why anyone not trying to lock down a company's computer systems would want it.
If you have a laptop and travel with it, Bitlocker looks extremely interesting; why not encrypt all of your personal data? That said, you can probably just use Truecrypt whole disk encryption for free (assuming that Truecrypt supports Win7 when it comes out, which I cannot believe they will not) on any version of Win7.
My real question is this: I currently run Vista Ultimate Upgrade. I am assuming that it's OK to upgrade an upgrade version (e.g. Vista Upgrade version to Win7 Upgrade version), but can I then re-use my Vista Ultimate upgrade on a different machine??? Boy, would I really like to know that...
My real question is this: I currently run Vista Ultimate Upgrade. I am assuming that it's OK to upgrade an upgrade version (e.g. Vista Upgrade version to Win7 Upgrade version), but can I then re-use my Vista Ultimate upgrade on a different machine???
Assuming that's a retail copy of Vista Ultimate, and not an OEM copy or one that was pre-installed on that computer, then yes, you can install that copy of Vista Ultimate on another computer.
__________________ Want to contact me personally? Use this. Want to read my personal blog? Check it out. Want to follow me on Twitter? Here you go.
Assuming that's a retail copy of Vista Ultimate, and not an OEM copy or one that was pre-installed on that computer, then yes, you can install that copy of Vista Ultimate on another computer.
It's a retail copy, but it's an Upgrade version.
Oh, that's so cool...
NOW I feel like I'm getting my money's worth from that Ultimate edition (Add the price of Vista Ultimate to the 50% off price of Win7 Pro, then divide by two...).
Linear Mode
