One of the most widely-criticized (and easily mockable) points of Windows Vista was the great variety of editions it came in. You’d think they’d want to avoid that same debacle this time around, and keep the avalanche of good grassroots PR about Windows 7 rolling. But no, they had to go and let it be known that they’re going to have six different versions of the anticipated OS.
Hey, it worked for Otter Pops.
So what do we have here? There are extended descriptions here, if you’re that interested.
- Starter: Only sold with new PCs. For “emerging markets,” whatever that means. Basically the core system without any of the eye candy, desktop enhancements, or extra security features. Limited to three concurrent applications (what!)
- Home Basic: Starter with more than three apps allowed.
- Home Premium: This one will have the eye candy and will be the one included on most PCs. It’s missing the extended security and mobility features of…
- Professional: Everything in Premium, plus encryption and network features more business-oriented.
- Enterprise: Like Professional, but more so. Includes Bitlocker and Applocker among other system-management capabilities that would be handy in a volume-license situation.
- Ultimate: Everything included, but won’t be widely available; “a tiny, tiny percentage of the volume” according to the source.
It looks like a lot — and actually, it is — but when you think about it, people will only have to choose between Home Premium and Professional. Starter is for selling to netbook manufacturers and such, Enterprise is for big businesses, and Ultimate is kind of an experiment they’re doing.
Of course, that doesn’t mean the line-up won’t be confusing to consumers, but Microsoft is planning on playing down the very existence of Starter, Enterprise and Ultimate in their marketing, since those editions don’t apply to the consumer demographic they’re aiming at.
Update: Added Home basic and Starter restrictions.
So there are really only two choices for consumers; Home and Pro. Why does MS even bother with the others? Especially Ultimate? Are they trying to replicate the market confusion and general sense of dissatisfaction that accompanied the Vista release?
Idiots.
Somebody needs to send Steve Ballmer a copy of the Stevenote when OSX was first introduced…specially the part where he mocks MS for the stupid versionitis they suffer.
Ugh.
They’ll do it because some folks will buy it just to have the best, and Microsoft will make money.
Totally with Weatherman on this one. The different versions of Vista are one of the more enduringly mockable things about the OS.
If consumers only have to worry about two versions, than START OFF WITH TWO VERSIONS. Get those two versions implanted in everybody’s mind to avoid all this confusion, and then, after a year or two, slowly roll out the other less important versions. At that point, nobody will care anymore because we’ll all be happily using Windows 7. Or OSX, whatever the case may be.
Devin, is this confirmed? I didn’t make it through that whole story you linked to. Who is making these decisions for Microsoft??
If Microsoft is really so concerned about having different versions for corporate/enterprise users, than brand the OS something other than 7. Call it Windows Blob, or Windows XP+, or just Windows Plus. And fire whoever is making these decisions. And Microsoft, as a fan of your OS’, for the love of god, stop being stubborn on these things – people are not coming around to your way of thinking.
It’s totally confirmed. And I’m with you. But I say release em all, just don’t tell anyone about the weird versions. Home, Professional should be all anyone ever hears. Then for enterprise accounts they say, oh here are your options for volume pricing.
Hey Devin, I believe you made the same mistake engadget made because there is no home basic, just starter and home premium. Check out http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_skus.asp .
Scroll down on that page :)
All things considered Microsoft wouldn’t do so many versions if it didn’t have to cater to the whole world.
Your average user has no idea how to use (and won’t ever see) most of the added features inc. business features in the profession version and above, and with so many people requesting fewer included applications microsoft has to create basic versions.
As for the name of the os it seems their returning to pre win95 years it might be a good thing in the end. naming the os after years got old after two editions naming it with letters got old after two editions (three if you count “me” as an edition) really a number ain’t that bad and it fits with intel’s i7 name.
As mentioned earlier consumer will probably only be given two choices home basic and home premium leaving professional and enterprise to be on most business machines.
Is Enterprise like Vista Business, where there’s no “media features” included? Otherwise, wouldn’t Enterprise and Ultimate be the same thing?
Nevermind, it seems none of the “fully-featured editions” will lack the media features this time around.
Jeez, what a bunch of tota….
Forget it.
Those who can not learn from history of doomed to repeat it.
What? Three apps limit on the starter? I really wonder what they have in mind when they decided on that limitation… duh!
it’s really hard to choose from them.
and only 3 concurrent app on starter? what!?
Reminds me of the times I called the OS “MS Window” — SINGULAR.
> Everything included, but won’t be widely available; “a tiny, tiny percentage of the volume” according to the source.
Unless you count in the “Bittorent Edition”.
That is retarded….
7 versions worked fine for Vista (it was really well received by both consumer and business markets). Why wouldn’t it work for 7?
Nooooooooooooooooo !!
Dear Steve Balmer,
…did I mention that i’m buying a Mac! With the latest OS; mind you.
I don’t have to guess which version of the OS – I am just getting the latest one! The same Mac OS will work great from my kids, my wife, and will also allow me to write code.
Cheers
Only 6 flavors? I expected 7.
ive read in some places home premium doesnt include incoming remote desktop sessions
Hi Shawn, where did you hear that? I haven’t experienced any problems with my remote control software, and I use Proxy. (Linked, before.) Maybe try different software, or look at your security and firewall settings?
Wow. Again.
Probably makes sense financial in the short term — but they’re killing their brand…
This makes me feel like buying a Mac now…
Windows Vista is only a couple of years old, why is their need of WINDOWS 7? A lot of my programs don’t work on Vista, couldn’t Microsoft do something to Vista so they would work?
Windows 7 is not a very creative name…
I’m kinda afaird to see how much Windows 7 is…
What a shame, to repeat the multi-version disaster that was windows Vista!