Windows 7 to come in six different versions
Microsoft resurrects one of Vista's less admirable features
Microsoft has confirmed a persistent rumour surrounding Windows 7; the new operating system will be coming in six varieties, including Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate.
Windows Vista users may find these quite familiar as they fall roughly into the same categories as the multiple Vista versions currently available. This isn’t particularly welcome news, as withholding certain features at certain price points feels quite mercenary, and it can only add to confusion when deciding which version of Windows to purchase.
On the plus side, Microsoft does appear to have thought a little more carefully about what each version gets. The big three are the Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate varieties. Home Premium boasts media-centric enhancements in the form of an improved Windows Media Center, better format support, Play To media streaming and multi-touch and handwriting recognition.
Business users will be gunning for the Professional edition, which lets you join managed networks using Domain Join, and provides data protection with advanced network backup and Encrypting File System. Ultimate is obviously loaded up with all the goodies you could possibly want and a ton you’ll never actually use, but that's the price you pay for never feeling like you may have missed out on something.
On top of those, Microsoft has Windows 7 Starter, which is a scaled down version only available through OEM partners. This is the one that has ‘netbook’ written all over it and also the most concerning. Sure, it’ll allow netbook makers to pack Windows 7 on their low-powered machines instead of XP, but here’s the kicker: it will only allow up to three applications to run at the same time. So that’s one IM client, one browser, one media player and then it’s tough luck if you want to fire off an email or write a letter. Madness.
Windows 7 Home Basic is for emerging markets only and Enterprise you won’t see outside large companies with bulk licenses.
Microsoft hasn’t confirmed prices for the six versions, although we’d expect something pretty cheap for Starter, going up to something decidedly expensive for Ultimate.
Microsoft resurrects one of Vista's less admirable features
Microsoft has confirmed a persistent rumour surrounding Windows 7; the new operating system will be coming in six varieties, including Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate.
Windows Vista users may find these quite familiar as they fall roughly into the same categories as the multiple Vista versions currently available. This isn’t particularly welcome news, as withholding certain features at certain price points feels quite mercenary, and it can only add to confusion when deciding which version of Windows to purchase.
On the plus side, Microsoft does appear to have thought a little more carefully about what each version gets. The big three are the Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate varieties. Home Premium boasts media-centric enhancements in the form of an improved Windows Media Center, better format support, Play To media streaming and multi-touch and handwriting recognition.
Business users will be gunning for the Professional edition, which lets you join managed networks using Domain Join, and provides data protection with advanced network backup and Encrypting File System. Ultimate is obviously loaded up with all the goodies you could possibly want and a ton you’ll never actually use, but that's the price you pay for never feeling like you may have missed out on something.
On top of those, Microsoft has Windows 7 Starter, which is a scaled down version only available through OEM partners. This is the one that has ‘netbook’ written all over it and also the most concerning. Sure, it’ll allow netbook makers to pack Windows 7 on their low-powered machines instead of XP, but here’s the kicker: it will only allow up to three applications to run at the same time. So that’s one IM client, one browser, one media player and then it’s tough luck if you want to fire off an email or write a letter. Madness.
Windows 7 Home Basic is for emerging markets only and Enterprise you won’t see outside large companies with bulk licenses.
Microsoft hasn’t confirmed prices for the six versions, although we’d expect something pretty cheap for Starter, going up to something decidedly expensive for Ultimate.
