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June 29th, 2009

Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?

Posted by Ed Bott @ 1:45 pm

Categories: Windows 7

Tags:

One of the most frequent questions I get these days comes from people who’ve been running the Windows 7 beta and RC and are planning to upgrade to the final version when it’s available on October 22. “Which edition of Windows 7 do I need?”

Interestingly, this question also comes up in other contexts as well. When Apple defenders appear in the TalkBack section here, they regularly insist that the Home Premium edition is “crippled” and “stripped-down.” Sooner or later, they insist, any self-respecting Windows user will have to upgrade. Based on that argument, they say that you must use the more expensive Ultimate edition to compare the costs of a Windows PC to those of a Mac, which comes in only a single edition. As you’ll see from the table below, this isn’t accurate.

On the Windows side, many users just automatically assume that more is better. By that logic, Ultimate is obviously the best and lesser versions are inferior. Because they’re power users, they assume that Home Premium’s missing features mean they’re going to be lacking a feature they really need.

But is that true? If you’re buying Windows Home Premium, what features are you missing, exactly? What would you get if you paid extra for Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate? And is it fair to compare OS X and Windows 7 Home Premium?

A few weeks ago, I did an exhaustive comparison of the differences between Windows 7 editions. For the comparison here, I decided to strip the list down to a single, simple table, which represents the entire list of features that are in Professional or Ultimate editions that are not in Home Premium edition (with one esoteric exception, which I documetned at the end of the notes page). For comparison’s sake, I included OS X in the table as well. As you can see, OS X has much more in common with Windows 7 Home Premium than it does with the features in Professional and Ultimate editions. That shouldn’t be a surprise, because those two upgraded Windows editions are specifically aimed at customers running on Windows-based networks.

Note that this is not a Windows 7 versus Mac OS X smackdown. Rather, it’s strictly designed to help you see whether you need one or more unique features from the Professional and Ultimate editions or whether the mainstream Home Premium edition will meet your needs.

Table: Features found exclusively in Windows 7 Professional or Ultimate

Note: this chart has been updated since its original publication as described on the next page.

For a detailed discussion of what these items mean, see the notes on the next page.

Next –>

Pages: 1 2

Ed BottEd Bott is an award-winning technology writer with more than two decades' experience writing for mainstream media outlets and online publications. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.

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  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 634 Talkback(s)
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?
Um...I heard somewhere that Windows 7 Home Premium only
allows you to take advantage of one physical processor. I
have a quad-core Mac Pro (Xeon). So, depending on how
you take this, wit... (Read the rest)
Posted by: macspirit Posted on: 11/08/09 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  Loverock Davidson | 06/29/09
Ed's point was...  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
Well Ed blew the whole thing....  mrlinux | 06/30/09
That I will agree with  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
Ok...  philipralban@... | 06/30/09
Count me as somone who doesn't get it  JasonJD48 | 07/07/09
Perhaps...  914four | 07/29/09
No smackdown, Just Obvious Bias  wolftalamasca | 06/30/09
How Are Those Intel Processors Working Out?  soupcan35 | 06/30/09
Hehehe  Tim.M | 07/01/09
One great advantage with Windows is that  fr0thy2 | 07/02/09
Proove What?  Ez_Customs | 07/07/09
Ez_Customs, the point was  JasonJD48 | 07/07/09
Pro Mac Bias  tbcass | 07/02/09
Find Me a Mac  bobiroc | 07/02/09
Mac Pro "8 core"  rxmz20 | 07/02/09
RE: Mac Pro "8 Core"  bobiroc | 07/02/09
Obviously you are either ignorant or lazy or both  buzzl | 07/02/09
AMEN nice touch  Ez_Customs | 07/07/09
ORly?  Tim.M | 07/02/09
Mr Bott is clearly a Mac Fanboy... Yea that's it.  rickbarretttx | 07/09/09
Agreed. 100%. And for his lust on RAM, he forgot to add memory usage.  HypnoToad72 | 07/03/09
another good point  Ez_Customs | 07/07/09
Bias How!  JasonJD48 | 07/07/09
There's one simple reason...  Thunderbuck | 06/30/09
Exactly!  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Journalism driven by commence  tzcannon | 06/30/09
Spelling counts  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Spelling or punctuation?  Steve4Fluff | 07/01/09
Bang!!  xXSpeedzXx | 07/01/09
So sad...  donw1234 | 07/01/09
Problem with that argument...  vulpine@... | 07/03/09
doesn't Have?  Ez_Customs | 07/07/09
is show facts bias?  Insight Driver | 06/30/09
It shows bias...  vulpine@... | 07/03/09
In other words mrlinux  tbcass | 07/02/09
Ed Didn't Blow A thing  LegendsOfBatman | 07/02/09
Really can't comment on that  Loverock Davidson | 06/30/09
...like Linux, vastly superior.  Socratesfoot | 07/01/09
Think harder, not different!  ericesque | 07/01/09
Windows on every machine in USA please!  fr0thy2 | 07/02/09
There is it again!!  Ez_Customs | 07/07/09
Don't think he was emphasizing games that much  JasonJD48 | 07/08/09
Point is... all the myriad versions are still badly crippled...  BillDem | 06/30/09
Accessing network drives would be nice too..  JCitizen | 06/30/09
Home Server has its own backup client  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Well there was one feature that was apparently..  JCitizen | 06/30/09
That's fantastic news. Brilliant!  fr0thy2 | 07/02/09
But... uh...  Wolfie2K3 | 07/07/09
We talking Win7?..  JCitizen | 07/13/09
Same goes for Vista and xp.  rtk | 07/13/09
Great!...  JCitizen | 07/14/09
I agree 100%  XfreeX | 06/30/09
Uh. MIcrosoft IS accountable.  Wolfie2K3 | 07/07/09
Guess I'll be another 4 or 5 yrs behind waiting on WIN7....  widdybear | 06/30/09
Just a point here...  kaninelupus | 06/30/09
Vista is nothing compared to what it was  Ez_Customs | 07/07/09
Anyone else a little perplexed here??  kaninelupus | 06/30/09
You need to read closer...  Thunderbuck | 06/30/09
edit on the domain login  kaninelupus | 06/30/09
The new Pro version?  wolf_z | 07/01/09
The "new" Pro...  Thunderbuck | 07/02/09
Actually... Professional has been used since Win 2000...  Wolfie2K3 | 07/07/09
XP mode is for enterprise not gamers  marks055@... | 06/30/09
Why  tealcat | 07/01/09
Their fears are unfounded...  JCitizen | 07/14/09
HUH?  LegendsOfBatman | 07/02/09
remote connections?? HUH?  Ez_Customs | 07/07/09
Spare us please  JasonJD48 | 07/08/09
XP Mode and Gaming  lowery9@... | 10/18/09
They'll work, just not well  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 10/19/09
just Windows t promotion  AG_z | 06/30/09
You'll see...  Thunderbuck | 06/30/09
What failure?  tealcat | 07/01/09
Ya, right!  Socratesfoot | 07/01/09
For home? No. Professionally, Yes!  de-void | 06/29/09
So, for which features?  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
I'll answer his question for myself  MissingMatter | 06/29/09
Backup to network, remote access  PhilippeV | 07/09/09
Professional for me - no brainer...  Wolfie2K3 | 06/30/09
At work, domain access is a must.  bsegal@... | 06/30/09
Home Editions  RichardRoe | 06/30/09
Create your account on the server  mikefarinha | 06/30/09
Facepalm.. No, banging head on desk...  Captiosus | 06/30/09
Hey you are right! We have almost the same Lan set up and...  widdybear | 06/30/09
Facepalm  rMatey | 06/30/09
Cashing in  philipralban@... | 06/30/09
What do you mean by "limited (truncated?) networking capabilities"? (nt)  ye | 06/30/09
The diagram above is good but limited  philipralban@... | 06/30/09
yes...  mojorison67@... | 06/30/09
Over simplification  philipralban@... | 06/30/09
Okay now that Administator account thing really sticks in my craw!  widdybear | 06/30/09
what if you are a home network cafe like in a small town?  widdybear | 06/30/09
ok....  mojorison67@... | 06/30/09
widdybear, Just What Features of Win Can You Not Get On Linux?  Seamus O'Brog | 06/30/09
Not necessarily "Ultimate"  Thunderbuck | 06/30/09
Features  sullivanjc | 06/30/09
I Agree. Win7HP should support around 32GB.  mikefarinha | 06/30/09
Agreed, 32GB should be max for 7HP  Captiosus | 06/30/09
16GB RAM  de-void | 06/30/09
16GB RAM  deowll | 07/01/09
16 GB may even be overkill  medezark@... | 07/02/09
Better Yet!  bobiroc | 07/02/09
Which features is the wrong question for what you showed us.  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
You're right  jahcriado | 06/30/09
Differences  RTWright67 | 06/30/09
OSX on 3rd party tin ...  de-void | 06/30/09
God forbid......  Budman o Riverside | 06/30/09
OSx...  mojorison67@... | 06/30/09
Maybe true, maybe not  gnesterenko | 06/30/09
Only four are a must  GuidingLight | 06/30/09
Six must haves for me and my friends/relatives  BillDem | 06/30/09
I find this difficult to believe.  ye | 06/30/09
Sorry. Total BS.  Thunderbuck | 07/01/09
Just out of curiosity  wolf_z | 07/01/09
Why would you need "Join Domain"?  GuidingLight | 07/01/09
Are you Drunk?  Ez_Customs | 07/07/09
Ultimate: Boot from VHD & Remote Desktop  de-void | 06/30/09
Can you do that on OSX?  mikefarinha | 06/30/09
Ermmmm ... huh? Didn't even mention OSX  de-void | 06/30/09
Yes, YOU need Ultimate.  Thunderbuck | 07/01/09
LOL happy I agree ...  de-void | 07/01/09
I will say, though...  Thunderbuck | 07/01/09
Man  Ez_Customs | 07/07/09
other options  Selabkram | 07/08/09
Microsoft has you dancing to their tune.  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
Because ...  de-void | 06/30/09
Because.. what?  wolftalamasca | 06/30/09
Grrr... STOP IT!  Thunderbuck | 07/01/09
re: grrrr stop it  skinsman61@... | 07/01/09
So, you agree that everthing should be sold in one version?  GuidingLight | 07/01/09
RE: Which Features? BITLOCKER and EFS  Speednet | 06/30/09
Re: feature  leudoc2 | 07/01/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  carlob | 06/29/09
Doesn't matter  frgough | 06/29/09
Fully explained in the notes  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
You're comparing the wrong form factors.  KWRussell | 06/29/09
Double sheesh  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
Triple sheesh  zkiwi | 06/29/09
I explained that in the intro  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
That doesn't explain why you left Linux out of it all  zkiwi | 06/29/09
Linux is irrelevant  honeymonster | 06/29/09
Irrelevant huh?  zkiwi | 06/29/09
Yes, Linux is irrelevant  honeymonster | 06/30/09
ebay, amazon, google, IBM with their IT based in Linux all irrelevant huh?  InAction Man | 06/30/09
@NoActionMan - At least aunt Selma has a life..that thing cannot be said..  NeoGeneration | 06/30/09
@ zkiwi - So.. Exactly WHICH distro of Linux should he have included?  Wolfie2K3 | 06/30/09
He should probably have included...  zkiwi | 06/30/09
@wolfie2k3 - exactly what I was thinking - good point - NT  USTechHead | 06/30/09
Linux simply does not matter and is not in the running.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 06/30/09
@honeymonster You do know...  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
Irrelevant is not a word?  GuidingLight | 06/30/09
@guidinglight Whups! You're right...  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
vulpine@  cwhistler | 06/30/09
@Vulpine: You need to buy a dictionary  de-void | 06/30/09
@vulpine  rbslack@... | 06/30/09
Not a problem, vulpine@...  GuidingLight | 06/30/09
Why Linux is extremely relevant...  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
@PC Hobbyist: Sorry, but no!  de-void | 06/30/09
@honeymonster Asus dropped the linux netbook ball  Tim.M | 07/02/09
Why is this so hard?  KWRussell | 06/29/09
Once again  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
The point?  zkiwi | 06/29/09
Ouch!  nizuse | 06/29/09
No "dumping on Apple"  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
The truth revealed  KWRussell | 06/29/09
Can you even build a mac with 16 TB RAM?  MissingMatter | 06/29/09
@Ed  zkiwi | 06/29/09
Yawn  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
@yawning Ed  zkiwi | 06/29/09
I'm not sure, but  nizuse | 06/29/09
Wrong, Ed. Again.  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
Triple sheesh!  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
Wrong  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
24 GB RAM mobo  epaval@... | 06/30/09
@ed What about the rest of the hardware?  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
sorry wrong again Vulpine  rbslack@... | 06/30/09
Totally agree...  Ben_rockwood | 06/29/09
Windows 7 and Windows Vista SP1 both support EFI.  MissingMatter | 06/29/09
Does Snow Leopard really support 16TB?  threedaysdwn | 06/29/09
Yes, any 64bit OS has a 16TB limit, windows/OSX/Linux, but since NO home..  NeoGeneration | 06/30/09
16TB of Actual Ram!!  bjterry62 | 06/30/09
LOL good point  rbslack@... | 06/30/09
You mean 16.8 Million TB?  Tim.M | 07/02/09
I am trying to understand  jacarter3 | 06/30/09
Do you know how long it takes to render a 90-minute movie?  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
More RAM != More Speed  jacarter3 | 06/30/09
Wow, this is FUD at it's best.  Captiosus | 06/30/09
You just proved...  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
@vulpine: No, it does not.  ye | 06/30/09
Sorry, ye. Seeing is believing  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
@vulpine: I'm not saying more RAM cannot equal more speed.  ye | 06/30/09
@Vulpine: You really need to do some homework  de-void | 06/30/09
@ye, And I quote...  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
@de-void So what you're saying is...  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
@vulpine: Are you sure about that?  ye | 06/30/09
@ye: I won't tell you to read your own words again...  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
@vulpine: I made no such claim.  ye | 07/01/09
@Vulpine: PLEASE do some homework  de-void | 07/01/09
de-void, I love your argument... but you forgot something  vulpine@... | 07/01/09
not really  davidhite | 06/30/09
David, look at my arguments...  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
Paging Mr Clueless  bobiroc | 07/02/09
Standing ovation  tealcat | 07/01/09
Ed did not say that "limited by hardware" ...  mwagner@... | 06/30/09
Yes, exactly  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Right  jahcriado | 06/30/09
The RAM "footprint" on a 4GB ...  mwagner@... | 06/30/09
The Ram footprint on a 8GB...  Captiosus | 06/30/09
@Captiosus  JCitizen | 06/30/09
Mac folks like to consider ...  mwagner@... | 06/30/09
You just contradicted yourself.  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
Not really. MacOSX does indeed ...  mwagner@... | 06/30/09
@mwagner: Read my comment again...  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
Please correct me if I'm wrong..  JCitizen | 07/05/09
Vulpine is Cracking me up!  Ez_Customs | 07/07/09
wow  Jimster480 | 06/30/09
Whoa!  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
And thats it  bobiroc | 07/02/09
DIMM slots take up space, you know  KWRussell | 06/30/09
You talk about space...  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
I love this  frgough | 06/29/09
No, it isn't crippled...  Sleeper Service | 06/29/09
Fail, ss--again.  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
What's your point?  Sleeper Service | 06/30/09
That's why school systems...  Captiosus | 06/30/09
a lot more  davidhite | 06/30/09
One whole state...  vulpine@... | 07/02/09
More silly apologetics.  Sleeper Service | 07/03/09
That's what Windows Anytime Upgrade is for  MissingMatter | 06/29/09
Bullseye  frgough | 06/30/09
Except very, very few consumers...  Sleeper Service | 06/30/09
Tomorrow equals 8 years from now to you?  NeoGeneration | 06/30/09
No, tomorrow  frgough | 06/30/09
How ofter will that happen though?  NoThomas | 06/30/09
Telecommuting  wolf_z | 07/01/09
Give it a rest already  jandre57-num1@... | 07/01/09
Only if you ignore...  vulpine@... | 07/02/09
....  Badgered | 06/30/09
Why should I know it now?  frgough | 06/30/09
re: connect from home  Badgered | 06/30/09
The alternative is to pay a premium for everything  GuidingLight | 06/30/09
Not crippled in the sense that Apple cripples  GuidingLight | 06/30/09
Please explain "cripples the hardware"  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
Then buy better hardware.  Sleeper Service | 06/30/09
That's not an explanation  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
What is this premium hardware?  ye | 06/30/09
I have a better question:  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
@vulpine: You also asked:  ye | 07/01/09
Ok, for the 'better hardware' question...  vulpine@... | 07/01/09
Why not...  DragonX1791 | 06/29/09
You've answered your own question...  Wolfie2K3 | 06/30/09
Exactly...  DragonX1791 | 06/30/09
Now that comment makes eminent sense!  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
Good article...  Sleeper Service | 06/29/09
Sure if you ignore all the errors  Richard Flude | 06/29/09
Thankyou  jdbukis@... | 06/29/09
You're welcome  Richard Flude | 06/29/09
"... it doesn't take much to get some people laughing."  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
Classic Mode  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
exactly  lostarchitect | 06/30/09
A real thank you  MacCanuck | 06/30/09
You miss the entire point  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
And you ain't listening  zkiwi | 06/30/09
Yes, and somewhat...  jfederline@... | 06/30/09
I stand behind it  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Baiting Jihadists for fun and profit  Selabkram | 07/09/09
Holy Cow, Batman! Give IT a rest.  BobinAtlanta | 06/30/09
Why?  zkiwi | 06/30/09
@BobinAtlanta - I second that emotion  PlayFair | 06/30/09
Because Mac geeks like to argue ...  mwagner@... | 06/30/09
Exactly...I second the motion...(nt)  JCitizen | 06/30/09
I guess you'd expect a side discussion on...  zkiwi | 06/30/09
And you don't?  gtdavies33@... | 07/01/09
No it's not the entire list and you know it...  jacarter3 | 06/30/09
Ed never meant it to be a ...  mwagner@... | 06/30/09
Obviouslly, Ed didn't create a comprehensive list  jacarter3 | 06/30/09
Unlimited cores  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Are you *trying* to prove your ignorance?  wolf_z | 06/30/09
Who cares about MAC?  batia | 06/30/09
So what?  Sleeper Service | 06/30/09
Question: Vista Applet Compat?  RyGuy12 | 06/29/09
No  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
OT: Bitlocker  DaveN_MVP | 06/29/09
I can explain why  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
Not sure I agree  DaveN_MVP | 06/30/09
Windows "Professional" is really geared ...  mwagner@... | 06/30/09
Blood pressure not a problem  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
EFS vs Bitlocker  LesN | 07/01/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  Ben_rockwood | 06/29/09
Sheesh  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
but ed ....  Ben_rockwood | 06/29/09
All the systems I've looked at lately...  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
okay  Ben_rockwood | 06/29/09
Just to clarify ...  Adrian Kingsley-HughesZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
Gee, thanks, Adrian  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
Further clarification.  rtk | 06/29/09
This is all ACADEMIC and of ...  mwagner@... | 06/30/09
Little bit biased are we?  PhatSlacker | 06/30/09
Just one less biased opinion  dony_z | 06/30/09
I get Vista BSODs, slowdowns...  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
Spot on!  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
And yet...  Captiosus | 06/30/09
Uhhh....  Ishkaboo | 06/29/09
Ohhh and....  Ishkaboo | 06/29/09
please  Ben_rockwood | 06/29/09
So is the Mac Pro. Your point? (nt)  ye | 06/30/09
The point, as you probably know  MacCanuck | 06/30/09
LOL! Nice spin there.  ye | 06/30/09
Go to Apple.com and search for workstation  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Enterprise desktop  justanitguy | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  carlob | 06/29/09
Not only do I know that...  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
You are still comparing apple and oranges  carlob | 06/29/09
Windows 7 IS on sale right now  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
"It will be delivered on October 22"  carlob | 06/29/09
I thought the beta was a nice way to have people beta test for free (nt)  MissingMatter | 06/29/09
Who cares?  stano360 | 06/30/09
16 TB?  justanitguy | 06/30/09
Great table - Made it obvious that Premium is badly crippled  BillDem | 06/29/09
Gamers will want XP mode?  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
So what will you do instead?  MissingMatter | 06/29/09
If it doesn't do XP gaming (all that well)...  zkiwi | 06/29/09
Because  honeymonster | 06/29/09
Yeah yeah, no  zkiwi | 06/30/09
Then don't upgrade  MissingMatter | 07/01/09
What?  NStalnecker | 06/29/09
Hey, I recall that you said people could  nizuse | 06/29/09
Reality distortion field ?  Joseph_Proudhon | 06/29/09
Huh?  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/29/09
Yes you can backup to a network share  carlob | 06/29/09
here is how  carlob | 06/29/09
Maybe  rtk | 06/29/09
Sure they should! happy  wolf_z | 06/30/09
No longer necessary  rxmz20 | 06/30/09
This is why I returned my macbook after 10 days and bought a Vaio .  condelirios | 06/30/09
In my regards  NStalnecker | 06/29/09
In my regards  nizuse | 06/29/09
June 26th was 3 days ago; future tense is unnecessary (nt)  MissingMatter | 06/29/09
True, but...  dopey12345 | 06/30/09
True... But...  NStalnecker | 06/30/09
Interesting Article  any_os | 06/29/09
You missed the whole point of the article...  Wolfie2K3 | 06/30/09
Oh I got the point  any_os | 06/30/09
Thank you!  A_Robinson | 06/30/09
You're welcome  any_os | 06/30/09
It Depends, Obviously...  GoodThings2Life | 06/29/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  piratesyar | 06/29/09
Why?  zkiwi | 06/29/09
I wasn't going to write this, but: Yes, you need much more.....  TonyOz | 06/30/09
Ah.. Another FUD dispenser is heard from...  Wolfie2K3 | 06/30/09
FUD ? Wolfie2K3 you just CONFIRMED what I said.  TonyOz | 06/30/09
But still lacking other things  John Zern | 07/01/09
Yeah Tony... FUD..  Wolfie2K3 | 07/07/09
Hmm..  condelirios | 06/30/09
Um...  zkiwi | 06/30/09
MyKiller  johnfenjackson@... | 06/30/09
It's not a "condensed list"  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
You're welcome  johnfenjackson@... | 06/30/09
Sorry, but...  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
No worries  johnfenjackson@... | 07/01/09
Actually, no they can't  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 07/01/09
Uniformity  johnfenjackson@... | 07/01/09
What about workgroup networking?  don@... | 06/30/09
this chart is funny.  lostarchitect | 06/30/09
re: funny  Badgered | 06/30/09
He included OS X in the table because....  buzzl | 07/02/09
Active Domain, for the win  wolf_z | 06/30/09
I have a question...  NoThomas | 06/30/09
Here's a nice solution for you:  ye | 06/30/09
Thanks YE  NoThomas | 06/30/09
I think everyone would like this one thing in all editions.  ye | 06/30/09
Its because....  deaf_e_kate | 07/01/09
interesting  Badgered | 07/01/09
Backing up to network  Michael Kelly | 06/30/09
Home Server includes software to install on each client. (nt)  ye | 06/30/09
Completely unrelated  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Are we talking about Win7 64-bit here?  zdneter0000 | 06/30/09
Of course I am referring to x64  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
To be honestly  kcredden2 | 06/30/09
why would you need 16gb in memory anyway?  Randalllind | 06/30/09
"And 640k should be enough for anybody"  wolf_z | 06/30/09
Do I need no will I buy Pro for some machines, yes  marks055@... | 06/30/09
What is the point of the Mac vs Windows Comparison?  Stuka | 06/30/09
Read the second paragraph to learn the reason Mac was brought up.  ye | 06/30/09
I read the article  Stuka | 06/30/09
Apparently you missed the second part of what I wrote:  ye | 06/30/09
I read the article  amckenz@... | 06/30/09
Because...  Stuka | 06/30/09
That's why you use the non-consumer Professional version with...  ye | 06/30/09
There are systems  Stuka | 06/30/09
@Stuka: A Sun Fire is not a desktop or workstation system.  ye | 06/30/09
re: What is the point  Badgered | 06/30/09
You conveniently missed the point!  CESSNA SKYLARK PILOT | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  qnetter | 06/30/09
Remote Desktop Host  rkennel | 06/30/09
Just use "Windows Remote Assistance"  DaveN_MVP | 06/30/09
Remote Assistance requires you to be on the computer experiencing...  ye | 06/30/09
No, not quite...  Thunderbuck | 07/01/09
I see it as an unreasonable requirement  LesN | 07/01/09
For you? No, but...  Thunderbuck | 07/03/09
I suspect that you're right  LesN | 07/03/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  chuck_gregory@... | 06/30/09
Backup a Problem  pjpinella@... | 06/30/09
Full image backup is in ALL Win7 editions  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Image backup is not something most home users will need.  ye | 06/30/09
Sorry, I disagree  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
That's fine.  ye | 06/30/09
question:  pgit | 06/30/09
Continuous  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Ohhh, where to start?  Thunderbuck | 07/01/09
SUA on Ultimate not that limited?  orcmid | 06/30/09
What about remote access from WHS?  Jeff Richardson | 06/30/09
WHS uses Remote Desktop  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
WHS/RDP  brian@... | 06/30/09
That is sad.  Jeff Richardson | 06/30/09
So long as you're administering the HP box from a Pro/Ult box, you're good!  de-void | 06/30/09
No no no, you misunderstand  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Home Premium support permissions by user?  RandyLyon | 06/30/09
Yes  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Thanks!  RandyLyon | 06/30/09
Depends on your needs  PhatSlacker | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  stano360 | 06/30/09
And what are the hardware requirements?  todd@... | 06/30/09
No  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  boombaard | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  rdawson@... | 06/30/09
None of Them...all too expensive  ronjs@... | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  ValFitzAndrew | 06/30/09
Yes..  condelirios | 06/30/09
I can only speak from experience...  Wolfie2K3 | 06/30/09
Applications included are also different...  Timpraetor | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  joiejoiejoie | 06/30/09
Presentation Mode...  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
It's a little more than that  MissingMatter | 06/30/09
Why do you need a button?  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  david@... | 06/30/09
O please!  joepranay | 06/30/09
As we know home users with laptops don't need offline files.  WallyM | 06/30/09
That scenario won't work  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Pre-ordered  Jimster480 | 06/30/09
Backup to network  zm_z | 06/30/09
need Win7 Business - here is why  Jim Johnson | 06/30/09
Attention Ed Bott:  imkain@... | 06/30/09
Thanks  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
File permissions and "group" policy  CobraA1 | 06/30/09
You can adjust NTFS permission on Home Premium  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
okay  CobraA1 | 06/30/09
RE: okay  imkain@... | 07/01/09
Linux IS irrelevant  klockheed | 06/30/09
Yup - and too many versions to bother listing  sinephase | 06/30/09
BACKUP - more specifics needed  daragh | 06/30/09
Yes, fully functional backup  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Branch Cache needs to be on more versions...  Narg | 06/30/09
TB's of RAM on a Mac???  timg101 | 06/30/09
TBs of RAM? Not must Mac  Fred Fredrickson | 07/01/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  rxmz20 | 06/30/09
The chart is wrong and comparison is rigged!  RedVeg | 06/30/09
Uh, dude?  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
RE: Uh, dude?  RedVeg | 06/30/09
macosx snow leopard features?  batres | 07/02/09
Nothing to "Oh Dude" here.  nizuse | 06/30/09
Wow, Ed Bott dishonesty strikes again.  3dtodd | 06/30/09
Sith Lord?  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Gotta factor in that Mac RDF....  Wolfie2K3 | 07/07/09
How to make a chart for MS-101  Jim4Prez | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  anthonyb@... | 06/30/09
JPEG table? Seriously?  spec07 | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  Gyula Bognar, Jr. | 06/30/09
A few more things to consider...  3dtodd | 06/30/09
Maybe you should have read page 2  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Good Article  Harry Bardal | 06/30/09
I just bought a Mac, Harry  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Broader Perspective  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
Progress  Harry Bardal | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  aseries | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  varick | 06/30/09
The answer isn't completely yes/no  wolf_z | 07/01/09
READERS BEWARE!  samalakas | 06/30/09
Great Job Ed!  Daedalu | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  starfurysr | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  BigD Out West | 06/30/09
Should not even be the question at all  dtroyerSMU | 06/30/09
Glass half empty?  wolf_z | 07/01/09
Wrong on many levels  buzzl | 06/30/09
Ahem  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Sorry, Ed, page 2 is as wrong as page 1  buzzl | 06/30/09
Sorry Buzz ...  de-void | 06/30/09
Dfferences  buzzl | 06/30/09
Full drive encryption IS a BIG deal  de-void | 07/01/09
Not on OS X it isn't  buzzl | 07/02/09
well...  batres | 07/02/09
@buzz... Presentation mode...  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
Well said!  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
So this is your latest trolling account then?  Sleeper Service | 07/01/09
Whose?  vulpine@... | 07/02/09
lol  batres | 07/02/09
Actually yes....  buzzl | 07/02/09
Active Directory  ceh4702 | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  ∞Dilemma | 06/30/09
Dell-12GB RAM for $1,199? Not possible.  3dtodd | 06/30/09
Yes, it's possible. Even without a discount code.  ye | 06/30/09
Be sure to keep terms straight  dtroyerSMU | 06/30/09
You CALLED Dell? On what? A telephone? REALLY?  de-void | 06/30/09
I wish I didnt Chose Vista Ultimate Over Premium  STBA2009 | 06/30/09
Um, you do understand...  wolf_z | 07/01/09
The UNIX subsystem...  Tynach | 06/30/09
Why buy MS crippleware?  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
Win 7 vs. Mac OS X  professordnm | 06/30/09
The real Win 7 vs Mac OS X smack down...  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
OS X is FreeBSD based?  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!  de-void | 06/30/09
de-void: Do some checking  vulpine@... | 06/30/09
@Vulpine: YOU need to do YOUR homework  de-void | 07/01/09
You need to read your own research...  vulpine@... | 07/01/09
and you accuse Bott of bias *snigger*  kaninelupus | 06/30/09
Wrong - but not because you've started off xBSD  Mitch 74 | 07/12/09
Windows 7 totally sucks !  XfreeX | 06/30/09
But for XP users  NStalnecker | 06/30/09
I hope so, but...  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
It's not just comments here that you should read ...  de-void | 06/30/09
Quite true.  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
Have YOU done YOUR research?  de-void | 06/30/09
trust me...ppl like NEVER do their research...  kaninelupus | 06/30/09
Disgruntled MS apologist flame alert.  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
re: Win7 Sucks...  kaninelupus | 07/05/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  jimdrvr99@... | 06/30/09
Multiple CPUs?  TigerhawkVok | 06/30/09
Actually...  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Thanks Ed  bolo73@... | 06/30/09
Sorry to pop your bubble, but  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
Encrypted File System XP Mode = worth $50  akritchie | 06/30/09
Sorry to pop your bubble, but...  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
and the bubble still hasn't burst!!  kaninelupus | 06/30/09
Why Linux is relevant...  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
Yet again... why Linux is NOT relevent  kaninelupus | 06/30/09
Play nicely kaninelupus........you are both right and wrong;think again  TonyOz | 06/30/09
the jury's still out  kaninelupus | 06/30/09
UNIX-based discussion too!  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
Define powerful  de-void | 07/01/09
re:UNIX-based discussion too(l)!  kaninelupus | 07/05/09
The memory thingie... And encryption.  Mitch 74 | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  The Reverend | 06/30/09
And I'm Pretty damn sick and tired of  The Reverend | 06/30/09
This is why the mod is currently removing their messages.  ye | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  exarkun631@... | 06/30/09
Master Joe Says...  MasterJoe | 06/30/09
x86 and x64 at Amazon  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Disagree  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
make up your mind  kaninelupus | 06/30/09
Master Joe Says...Again  MasterJoe | 07/01/09
The sad thing, Dietrich, is you think this is normal for Windows.  ye | 07/01/09
Calling you on this  de-void | 07/01/09
Ignore him. He's a troll.  Sleeper Service | 07/01/09
Can't try it from my home PC happy  wolf_z | 07/01/09
Re: do you need ....  LeMike | 06/30/09
Feature I'd need, in 7 and in Vista: Fax Printer  fejlinton | 06/30/09
not sure but omition makes sense  kaninelupus | 06/30/09
Fax and Scan in Home Premium  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Home network, saved passwords  kaninelupus | 06/30/09
One feature of Home Premium left out...  JCitizen | 06/30/09
Wrong!  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 06/30/09
Okay...BUT...  JCitizen | 07/02/09
Great Chart - Thanks!  jpr75_z | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  blake stone | 06/30/09
Good tactic Eddy, hide from the point of my comment  tzcannon | 06/30/09
Well, earlier  nizuse | 06/30/09
Linux is irrelevant  bklooste | 06/30/09
Like no change??  kaninelupus | 06/30/09
Out of Date  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
Same imperialistic drivel! Same old smell!  kaninelupus | 07/05/09
depends, really  Mitch 74 | 07/05/09
"Mac Users are willing to try new things"  deaf_e_kate | 07/01/09
More for only a little less  kaninelupus | 06/30/09
Fair article  bklooste | 06/30/09
OsX 'inferior' cause it can't run XP Mode, limited Win Domain etc. ????  Davewrite | 06/30/09
Great fallacy spotting!  CPPDEV | 06/30/09
Great reply !  Joseph_Proudhon | 07/01/09
huh?  Badgered | 07/01/09
here...  Davewrite | 07/01/09
Yeah... it's a consumer based OS.  Sleeper Service | 07/01/09
Implying Pros don't use OsX? Rigggght..so much for sense from PC apologists  Davewrite | 07/01/09
I'm not claiming it's inferior...  Sleeper Service | 07/02/09
And i'm saying it's both for Pro AND Consumer - nt  Davewrite | 07/02/09
Fax?  Denlow | 06/30/09
Fax in all editions  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 07/01/09
What about OS X Server...  jf79 | 06/30/09
are u talking about win7 edition or osx?  anggota@... | 06/30/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  mark@... | 07/01/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  microsoftdoll | 07/01/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  WhistleHeat | 07/01/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  Steve4Fluff | 07/01/09
Question re. Pro/network backup  drewmcg@... | 07/01/09
Client restriction only  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 07/01/09
Comparing who ?!?  shoshonski | 07/01/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  SHAMKEN@... | 07/01/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  skinsman61@... | 07/01/09
Your answer is right here  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 07/01/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  mohawke | 07/01/09
Informative, but should have left out OSX  NameRedacted | 07/01/09
Ahem  Thunderbuck | 07/01/09
Don't need Parallels just use OsX Boot Camp and load in XP  Davewrite | 07/01/09
Umm, yeah...  Thunderbuck | 07/01/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  ntflavio06@... | 07/01/09
Yes, many will need more than Home Premium  daniel.pereznet | 07/01/09
Gonna call you on that...  Thunderbuck | 07/01/09
If Win has such Massive Market-share why so expensive vs. OsX?  Davewrite | 07/01/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  vvbs@... | 07/01/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  CharlesEtheridge@... | 07/01/09
for home use premium is ok, but in University, cannot use it with Domains:(  aneslin85 | 07/02/09
You forgot IIS.  Grayson Peddie | 07/02/09
He always leaves that out  worldnick | 07/06/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  mikeotown@... | 07/02/09
Windows 7 ultimate full liscence  rwnoll@... | 07/02/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  rickleefs | 07/02/09
great article thanks  patibulo | 07/02/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  binyo66 | 07/02/09
There is a freeware app for the features I need that Home Premium Lacks  mark16_15@... | 07/02/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  ra1@... | 07/02/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  Blue-J | 07/02/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  Selabkram | 07/08/09
Planned Setup -- is HP enough?  _Rej_ | 07/09/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  duchovny | 07/09/09
They get you addicted to Ultimate but want you to buy Premium  Randalllind | 07/10/09
Just to add in my 2 cents....  zenwalker | 07/10/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  demonon | 07/13/09
Great comparison... I couldn't care less.  jediguard@... | 07/15/09
Just getting Win 7 Ultimate anyway  Patanjali | 07/24/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  stenman@... | 08/17/09
What a load of tired arguments  Ed BottZDNet Moderator | 08/18/09
0  floccibob | 08/28/09
Yes. I must admit...  JCitizen | 08/29/09
RE: Do you need more than Windows 7 Home Premium?  macspirit | 11/08/09

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