Latest generation of Microsoft's market-dominating operating system for the PC, Windows Vista, was finally released to an expectant public in January 2007, after many years in development.

Windows Vista was conceived way back in 0000 with many ground-breaking features envisaged, but that early promise has receded somewhat in the harsh light of retail release.

So let's take a good look at just what's on offer here before we recommend you to part with your hard-earned cash.

• Windows Vista Home Basic, as you would expect, is the entry-level version and therefore aimed at the "no-frills" user with no special functionality requirements. Get our review here.
• Windows Vista Home Premium This is likely to be the most popular version of of Windows Vista and is roughly equivalent to the home version in the XP range. Read about it here.
• Windows Vista Business This is likely to be the most popular version of of Windows Vista and is roughly equivalent to the home version in the XP range. Read about it here.
• Windows Vista Ultimate This is likely to be the most popular version of of Windows Vista and is roughly equivalent to the home version in the XP range. Read about it here.

Main features of each version are compared side-by-side here.