I'm considering a purchase of NSW but am a bit confused about what features each edition(Basic vs Standard vs Premier) contains. I had hoped that the "Compare Related Products" chart for NSW would have helped me to decide which version I'm going to purchase, but it is what has now caused my confusion.
I would have expected that the "Premier" edition would contain all features listed and the other 2 would have progressively fewer, but unless I'm not reading the chart right (which is a distinct possibility ), that is not the case. For instance, under the "Core Protection" section, Basic has no check marks, Standard has all of the features marked, and Premier has only 1 checkmark. So does that really mean the Standard edition has Pulse updates, and "Intelligence-driven technology for faster, fewer, shorter scans", but Premier does not? Or is the chart just not correct?
Norton SystemWorks Premier has all the features of Standard edition. In addition to that, it has Norton Save & Restore 2.0 for backup and restore. I think the chart needs to be corrected. If you check the features of Norton SystemWorks premier in the following link, you will find Pulse updates and all other features of Standard edition.
Although the two answers you have received are in themselves correct I don't think they deal with your actual query .....
I think you are right that the comparative table you link to is incorrect in showing that the premier version does not have the same updating as the other two.
So far as I know the difference between the versions is in the additional utilities that are not in the Basic version plus the fact that the Basic version is not on a Subscription model like the other two (and NIS & NAV) so that if you have the Basic version while you will get Updates via LiveUpdate you are not entitled to a free copy of the next version when it comes out. With versions that are on the Subscription model you are entitled to a free Upgrade to the next version if it comes out during the lifetime of your subscription (which can be more than one year BTW).
If I'm wrong on this I hope one of the Norton Staffers will put it more correctly.
My purely personal advice would be to best protect your computer then buy NIS 2009 and if you really want NSW then buy the package of NIS 2009 3 PC with NSW Basic since you don't need two copies of the AntiVIrus program that comes with (not in) the other versions of NSW.
Thanks to both of you for your help! I felt sure that the chart was in error, but just wanted to double check; you just never know. Of course, I now believe the question is moot in my case. Upon further research here in the forums, I've discovered that, because I'm currently using NIS2008, the "Basic" edition of NSW12 is the recommended edition, so I'm pretty sure that's what I'm going to purchase.
Edit: Oops! Thanks to all 3 of you! The third (and very helpful) response was posted while I was composing this one.
Well since you are currently using NIS 2008 you are entitled to a free upgrade to NIS2009 so you can go either way:
Take the free upgrade to NIS2009 and use it that way for the balance of the unexpired NIS2008 subscription that you have and buy NSW V12 Basic to install now.
Buy the NIS/NSW package and install NSW Basic now; then install NIS 2009 when NIS 2008 runs out.
Since there are a number of fixes in the pipeline for NIS 2009 (well that is always the case with decent software but some of these are affecting some people adversely) I'd be inclined to go for the second option if you are comfortable with NIS 2008 at the moment since NSW is effectively free on that bundle. Then maybe in a month or so use the free upgrade to NIS 2009 making sure that you run LiveUpdate for it immediately after installing although it gives you a chance to do that during installation I usually do it manually as well.
All of that assumes that you don't want the additional things in the Premium bundle.
I am one of the site managers for norton.com. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. The Comparison charts for all NSW product pages have been updated.
I think its correct. Basic edition has only Norton Utilities. which constitues PC Tuneup part. It does not contain AntiVirus, AntiSpyware, Home Network Monitor and Backup and Restore solution. Pulse Updates is part of NAV/NIS 2009 hence not covered by NSW Basic.
Message Edited by pore_vinod on 11-03-2008 04:12 PM
I think its correct. Basic edition has only Norton Utilities. which constitues PC Tuneup part. It does not contain AntiVirus, AntiSpyware, Home Network Monitor and Backup and Restore solution. Pulse Updates is part of NAV/NIS 2009 hence not covered by NSW Basic.
I may have jumped the gun, for which I apologise to all concerned, but if so then I think Basic Edition is underplayed.
Norton SystemWorks Basic Edition is just a small portion of the Norton SystemWorks Premier version. These features being the key features are displayed on the chart. There may be other features. However, this chart helps put into perspective the differences between the 3 versions when you think about Key Features.
Thanks – sorry if I jumped to the wrong conclusion. Visually it looked totally wrong from my memory of the previous display with Basic in the left column.
I have installed NIS 2009. I want to update my NSW to version 12 -- may I use STANDARD? I know BASIC is recommended, but will there be any problems/difficulties/etc if I install STANDARD? I realize some stuff will be duplicated, but will there be performance problems, or will STANDARD take into account that I've already got NIS 2009?
If you already have NIS 2009, you can go for SystemWorks 12.0 Basic Edition and there is no need to go for the Standard Edition. The only difference between the Basic Edition and Standard Edition is the AntiVirus component. Since you have already got AntiVirus as a part of NIS 2009, you won't be able to get the same one installed with Standard Edition. So, logically you will be using the Basic Edition eventhough you have installed Standard Edition. More over, the Standard Edition may cost you more(around 20$) when compared to Basic Edition.
You can get the difference between the 3 editions of Norton SystemWorks 12.0 from the section "Compare Related Products" in the link given below:
So far as I know you should have no problems installing the Standard Edition if there is some specific reason you want to use that overcome the points Yogesh makes but when you do choose the Custom Installation and deselect the AntiVirus Component in NSW.
One point about which I don't know any details but I've seen at least one complaint from a NSW user that when he updated to the latest version he found the bit he used most was not there anymore -- GoBack I think it was.
That upset him although I've an idea that there are serious conflicts between GoBack and modern versions of WIndows, perhaps those that have System Restore.
GoBack is not an issue, nor is price. (I inadvertently ordered NSW Standard 12 instead of Basic 12, and have already opened it.) Essentially, I just needed to know if I would cause program confusion or computer damage using NSW Standard 12 on top of NIS 2009.
So if I understand correctly, the answer is to choose Custom Installation of NSW Standard 12 and deselect AntiVirus.
If there's anything else I need to know, please advise.
I've a vague idea I've seen that if you install NIS/NAV first and then NSW it will automatically not install the AV element but I do know you can deselect it in Custom Installation since I've done that in a trial installation some time ago -- and you may want to deselect other elements also.
I did not install the tool equivalent to Kill which wipes your hard drive completely clean and un-recoverably! <g> I'm sure there are safeguards but people can make mistakes, including me, or in a different environment than mine, someone might do it maliciously.