Vista Home Premium or Business

Hi: I plan on getting a laptop, (Vaio Z) to be specific, and will be able to customize the specs for it. For the Operating System, since I want 32bit, and since the only 32bit option available is Windows Vista Business 32bit, I have to choose that one. My question is, would it be worth it to do a fresh install of windows vista home premium. Things I will use to laptop for include gaming, photoshop, some video editing(not major), windows media center (if I have home premium). If I chose windows vista home premium 64bit and then did a fresh install of windows vista home premium 32bit, would that work?

Thanks

 

For what you want to do, I recommend Home Premium. Why would you do a fresh install of the 32-bit, though? Just use the 64-bit. And you can upgrade the ram later.

 

I second this, you can run almost all of your 32 bit programs in 64 bit Windows Vista. It's quickly becoming the mainstream OS option for many computer companies. Also, the additional RAM you can use in 64-bit may help out when it comes to Photoshop and Video Editing, if the video editing software you choose takes advantage of 64 bit.

 

I would stick with Home Premium 64 bit unless:
1. You have a required software that will not run on 64 bit or
2. You need to log onto a windows domain (then get business 64 bit or premium if you also want Media Center).

You will have to check with Sony to find out if the media with the Viao includes 32 bit to do a clean install. Most OEMs only include the installed version.

 

Why?

Yes... you'll need to get your hands on a 32-bit Vista disc, but then it'll work. You'd also need to download the 32-bit drivers from Sony, which they must have if they're offering the model with a 32-bit version of Vista.

 

I know that 64bit is now becoming the mainstream, but with 32bit, i will not have to worry about any compatibilities, and I feel that im not read to make the jump to 64bit just yet. Maybe a year+ down the road, ill switch but as of right now, i want to stick with 32 bit,

 

should this work, it is not for the model of the vaio z i am getting (Z690) but for the Z590 although I believe everything is the same.(blue tooth may be a version lower)

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNZ590&SelectOS=28

 

You'd probably be better off going to the Z690 page and downloading the drivers for Vista Business 32-bit (even though you're using Home Premium). The edition of Vista shouldn't matter... but if Sony changed some of the components from one model to the next, then some of the drivers may not work.

Also, I forgot to mention that Windows will probably find some of the drivers on its own through Windows Update. I find it easier to just let it install them, and then go find any drivers from the OEM's (Sony's) site that Windows Update didn't find.