Microsoft Vista will be out later this year.  As an IT manager, CIO, or other persons making technology decisions you probably want to start reviewing Windows Vista along with Office 12 (possible renamed Office vista).  I am generally not a fan of a new OS until after the first service pack, but Vista does have some inviting features.  Vista will be divided into multiple versions, I have listed them below for you to get started with, more will follow after I research and test Vista.

The versions that follow are divided between Business and Consumer flavors:

Windows Vista Business offers full support for Vista’s high-end Aero graphics, which includes more finely detailed graphical elements, as well as transparency, reflections, and better 3D rendering. The Business version will also have integrated desktop search features. And it will include Windows Vista Tablet PC functionalities for computers that support them.

The up-level business version, Windows Vista Enterprise, will be sold only via Microsoft’s enterprise licensing program. It includes full hard-drive encryption, expanded application compatibility, and a Unix emulation module for running Unix applications.

The consumer lineup starts with Windows Vista Home Basic. Think of this version of Vista as being about half a notch below Windows XP Home Edition. Vista Basic will lack integrated desktop search features and will support only the base level Vista graphics. (For more on the tiered graphics support in Windows Vista, see First Look: Longhorn Beta Build 5048, under the subhead “Setting Expectations.”)

Windows Vista Home Premium is a big jump up from Vista Basic. In addition to the integrated desktop search functionality and support for Aero graphics, Vista Home Premium adds both Media Center and Tablet PC support. It also provides integrated DVD burning, Windows Media Player 11 recording and sharing, and high-def support in Windows Movie Maker.

Finally, Windows Vista Ultimate, which Microsoft describes as a consumer version (probably because businesses will be loath to pay for it), is the everything-and-the-kitchen-sink edition. It merges all the features and functionalities of the other Vista client versions.