Consumers may find themselves scratching their head when they go to purchase Windows Vista. Microsoft will offer no less than six different editions of their new operating system.

Two home editions will be available -- a starter edition which lacks the new built in search and "glass" interface, and a premium edition which has those features as well as Media Center, DVD burning, and tablet PC support.

Two business editions will offer multi-processor support and professional networking tools. A fifth SKU, Windows Vista Ultimate, includes an advanced firewall in which real-life ninjas equipped with rocket launchers defend your computer against the latest security threats. Actually, this SKU just incorporates all of the features from the other versions plus more functionality that Microsoft has yet to reveal. Our fingers are crossed for those ninjas.

On the very bottom of the barrel is the Windows 2007 Starter pack, made specifically for users who don't need the fancy-schmacy features. Like e-mail, or the internet. Or support for a keyboard and mouse. Microsoft officials say the starter pack will still require 2GB of RAM and a high-end video card, despite it being the only version without the new Windows sidebar.* (In reality, this starter pack is meant as a cheap alternative for low-cost PCs and does not contain the "Vista" branding, and does not contain the sidebar. You'll probably never see the Starter version on store shelves)

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