Vista home basic or vista home premium-what's the difference?

Hi

I'm looking to buy a new laptop. My budget is £350 for the machine plus the extra for software. Usage will be usual stuff-Microsoft Office & Internet Access via Internet Explorer(I guess this is what the machine comes with)

First question is: what's the difference between Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium. What can Premium do that Basic can't?

Second question: which makes/models shall I avoid and which makes/models shall I go for? i.e Toshiba or Dell for instance?

Any assistance is gratefully received

Gary

 

First question:
For starters this link is the comparison chart of Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/default.aspx

Second question I can't answer since I've been using Dell only. See the limits & benefits of an OEM. http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/glossary/f/oemsoftware.htm

Hopefully someone else will jump in to answer your 2nd question.

 

The difference you are liable to notice is that Vista basic doesn't have a 3d desktop. Who cares?

 

Just a extra added bit, i honestly dont recommend using Internet Explorer, use it to download firefox or Opera. I feel like my computer will get pwnt by virus's with IE lol