Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 7 will be available in 6 different varieties, similar to Vista. From Engadget:
- Windows 7 Starter (limited to three apps concurrently)
- Windows 7 Home Basic (for emerging markets)
- Windows 7 Home Premium (adds Aero, Touch, Media Center)
- Windows 7 Professional (Remote Desktop host, Mobility Center, Presentation mode)
- Windows 7 Enterprise (volume license only, boot from virtual drive, BitLocker)
- Windows 7 Ultimate (limited availability, includes everything)
Soapbox
Normally I try to limit the opinions I express on this site to a “professional” level, but I’m going take a moment here to talk about Microsoft’s decision.
It’s stupid, as far as I’m concerned, and I’ll tell you why I think so.
First, Microsoft is just setting itself up for user dissatisfaction. People are going to order a new computer, and when they see they can save fifty bucks on the operating system, they’re going to choose Home Basic instead of Home Premium (or Starter instead of Home Basic.) Then when they get the machine, they’re going to wonder why they don’t have all the bells and whistles.
Second, most users don’t want to have to make choices. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that the majority of computer users don’t know enough to feel comfortable making the decision of what operating system to get. Hell, a lot of users aren’t even aware that XP and Vista are different operating systems. “I just want Windows.”
My Advice
So then what do I think Microsoft needs to do? K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple, Stupid. They need to forget about this tiered idea and get back to the basics. Take a hint from Apple – put everything in one operating system. This way, the end users don’t feel pressured and intimidated by the choice between versions that appear the same to them. Also, they won’t be disappointed by features they thought they had; they’ll have everything at their fingertips and know exactly what they’re getting. While the Mac OS-X costs $129, Microsoft could charge $149 for theirs and people would think it’s worth more.
At the most, Microsoft could offer two different flavors. Back when Windows XP was first released, there was the Home edition and the Professional edition. Since Windows has a much larger share of the corporate computer market, this wouldn’t be a bad idea. Plus, it keeps the end user’s options to an easy minimum. If they’re going to use the computer at home, they get the Home edition. If it’s going to be used at work, get the Professional edition.
It’s really a shame that Microsoft is doing this. I’ve been hearing people say that Windows 7 is better than XP. I haven’t had a chance to use it yet, but if it’s true, Microsoft need to be careful how they handle Win7. They have a chance to deal a significant blow to Apple’s increasing market share. Microsoft wants to stop the exodus to Mac that Vista caused, and I don’t believe that making their users choose between 6 varieties is going to help as much as they’d like.
What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the topic.
I love tech, but don’t have as much time or money to spend on it as I’d like. I get what I need to sustain my Geek vicariously through other sources and pass it along to you.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I completely agree with you Christopher, it is completely stupid. I spent a significant part of my career managing a computer chain and I can see big problems here. First, you are correct, people don’t want to have to worry about what choice to make for an OS – especially not having to select from one of 6. The big problem I see is poorly performing salespeople not adequately informing the customer about which version offers what features. As a result, I see users purchasing a PC and expecting it to perform X, Y, and Z. They get it home, and days or perhaps months later learn it can only do X and Y but Z will be available through an anytime upgrade program (assuming Microsoft offers this with Windows 7 as they did Vista) for an additional $150. I too thought a two version approach (home and business) would have been more ideal if they were to split it up. I certainly dislike the Windows 7 Starter version – 3 concurrent apps… what are you thinking! I certainly hope that this version is limited to special purpose PC platforms, and not actively sold – I see big problems stemming from that.
@Mike – The only thing I can think of for the Starter version is maybe netbooks or older machines that might not have the processing power or memory to handle more than 3 apps anyway? Other than that…. *shrug*
I have to agree. Having 6 flavors to choose from will be awful. I downloaded the iso file and have it installed on my macbook via VirtualBox by Sun. I allocated only 640MB of RAM for it, and it seems pretty snappy. I had it on my wife’s HP before HP sent me the Restore DVDs (that’s another story). Her system has 4GB of RAM and it ran great! The OS seems pretty polished already.
Windows Vista actually had a Starter edition they mentioned in passing way back when it was first being released, but you never see it listed with the others. Had to dig up a Wikipedia article to be certain I wasn’t imagining it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Vista_editions
I’m surprised in checking on this to also find out that XP had a Starter edition. Never heard a thing about that one. Hopefully they have the same plans with the new version, and we won’t have to worry about people grabbing it by mistake.
I can’t agree more. If not for the fact that the applications I used are not available on the Mac, I’d have move to OS X long time ago. MS just don’t seem to get it, sad to say, even after what has happened to Vista.