Good then. Netbook manufacturers will be able to preload any version of Windows 7 onto their machines – not just Windows 7 Starter Edition. And while we found out in May that the arbitrary three-application limit had been removed from Windows 7 Starter (thereby making it virtually indistinguishable from Windows 7 Home Basic), the lack of other features like not being able to change your desktop wallpaper or use some of the cooler Aero stuff felt more than a bit underwhelming.
Well, fear not. Microsoft has apparently given the green light for manufacturers to go ahead and install any version of Windows 7 they see fit. Granted, the added cost of Home Premium will be passed along to consumers but it’s nice to have some choice in the matter.
According to TG Daily, a Microsoft spokesperson said the following:
“OEMs and ODMs have the choice to install any version of Windows on a netbook. [But] Starter is an entry version and doesn’t have many of the consumer or business features. The three application limit isn’t there anymore.”
If you do happen to buy a netbook with Windows 7 Starter or Home Basic, you should be able to use Microsoft’s “Anytime Upgrade” to switch to Home Premium for around eighty bucks. Yes, that’s a lot of money considering netbook prices hover around $300 to $400 but at least you’ll have the option now.
Microsoft confirms no Windows 7 restrictions for netbooks [TG Daily]
Are they still limiting what a netbook can be when using Windows software?
Netbooks will continue to be artificially limited by having no hardware virtualization support. To limit the netbook market, Win7 requires hardware virtualization support to work in WinXP compatibility mode. This is a deal killer for most, and many won’t know about it until they get burned after-sale. Beware – Greedy evil beings with MBA’s at work again.