Network & Sharing Center (Vista Business)

My school recommends Vista Business, Ultimate, or Enterprise, or Windows XP Professional, saying these editions allow for "better network connectivity". I suspect they are referring to the wireless network on campus. But I'm not sure I want to spend the extra $ for Business or Ultimate when I doubt I'd use any of the features (I'm not sure I even want to upgrade to Premium from Basic). So I though I'd ask if this Network & Sharing Center thing Vista Business is worth the cost, or if it'll be better to save 60 quid and go with Home Premium (and get a chess program to go with it).

1. Can Vista Home editions connect to a wireless network relatively easily? It sounds like it's almost automatic in Business, and not quite so automatic in Home. I don't mind changing a few settings and all to set up to a network, so if this would be the only "better network connectivity" I'd get, I'd go with Home. Granted, I've never set up a wireless network, but if it's at all similar to wired it shouldn't be too bad.

Sure didn't look too hard when my friend was doing it on his XP Tablet PC Edition laptop.

2. Would I receive a better actual connection with Vista Business? Seems to me this should be dependent solely on the hardware involved and not the OS, but if Business somehow makes the Internet connection actually run better, it probably would be worth it to get it.

Thanks!

 

Vista Home Premium has wireless connectivity and it's easy to connect to so you shouldn't have an issue and it has Chess Titan's built in. Very nice game btw. You are correct that the connection is dependent on the hardware and not Home vs Business.

 

OK, that's what I was thinking. I'll probably go with Home Premium then. Hopefully Chess Titans has a decent number of difficulty options!

 

I could be wrong, but I don't think the wireless network manager differs from edition to edition...

Also, yes, Chess Titans has difficulty levels. I enjoy setting it to the easiest level and kicking butt. (I stink at chess).

Matt

 

I could be wrong but if there is central management of certain resources by your school and you need to logon and use(not through web by directly in windows, including probably its wireless network), you have to go with business or ultimate.

 

Yep, if you need to connect to the university domain, you'll need Business/Ultimate.

 

but i don't really think that necessary... i mean for the business / ultimate just because to connect to university... I would prefer to run extra software(given by my university) to connect to our wireless network which i can get for free... rather than to pay extra for my OS...

but if all the same price... then why not to go for business/ultimate... too bad.. its not..

 

For the record, I have chess titans on my Vista Business!

 

Only Starter and Home Basic do not have this game, the rest do.