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February 3rd, 2009

Windows 7 editions ... too many, too few or just right?

Posted by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes @ 3:05 pm

Categories: Windows 7

Tags: Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Marketing Research, Financial Services, Software, Marketing, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Microsoft has finally outlined the Windows 7 editions. Are there too many editions, too few or has Microsoft struck the right balance?

The editions are as follows:

  • Windows 7 Starter Edition (aimed at emerging markets and netbooks)
  • Windows 7 Home Basic (aimed at emerging markets)
  • Windows 7 Home Premium (primary home edition)
  • Windows 7 Professional (primary business edition)
  • Windows 7 Ultimate (for consumers who wants everything)
  • Windows 7 Enterprise (volume license only)

Note: My blogging colleague Ed Bott has more details on the different flavors.

Windows 7 editions ...

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My quick take is that this layout might just work because it really only leaves two editions for the home user - Premium and Professional. The rest are either niche or aimed at emerging markets.

Thoughts?

Adrian Kingsley-HughesAdrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations

Want to get in touch? Got a tip? Feel free to drop me a note! I ALWAYS respect anonymity. I'm also on Twitter (@the_pc_doc)

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  • Talkback
  • Most Recent of 55 Talkback(s)
Don't forget about Upgrade versions
Ugh - "I have an Upgrade disk, I need to reinstall the previous OS before I can load it" - crap!

Back to the basic version question - the different versions are a pain for extra support. Sure,... (Read the rest)
Posted by: bardiferous Posted on: 02/05/09 You are currently: a Guest | | Terms of Use
They need just one more...  MGP2 | 02/03/09
They need just one more...  psm5755@... | 02/04/09
Uncle Bill Needs The Money  r.heat@... | 02/04/09
RE: Windows 7 editions ? too many, too few or just right?  High Altitude | 02/03/09
NO....  Nsaf | 02/03/09
Far too many versions - just more of the same idiocy  BillDem | 02/04/09
Merge Home Basic and Starter, and it'd be perfect  Eapache | 02/03/09
You'll never see those SKU anyways (nt)  Mam00th | 02/03/09
Wrong  daengbo | 02/04/09
Home Basic Vs Starter  Wolfie2K3 | 02/04/09
oh dear.  thelivo | 02/03/09
Looks fine to me...  LandonAB | 02/03/09
Just fine to me  ExperiencedSoftwareDeveloper | 02/03/09
Why even have a home and business edition?  frgough | 02/03/09
7 Ultimate is just 7 Enterprise  timiteh | 02/04/09
The problem  daengbo | 02/04/09
When's the last time...  wolf_z | 02/04/09
A LOT of folks connect to work domains from home  BillDem | 02/04/09
No, it's not evil...  Speednet | 02/04/09
Nope, sorry.  rtk | 02/04/09
Do they now...?  Wolfie2K3 | 02/04/09
Then just buy a Mac  timiteh | 02/05/09
Basic and Starter are bad ideas.  TripleII | 02/03/09
Starter absolutley, Home Basic it depends  timiteh | 02/04/09
RE: Windows 7 editions ??? too many, too few or just right?  joreel | 02/03/09
RE: Windows 7 editions ? too many, too few or just right?  jimk_z | 02/03/09
Scary how people are used to being taken advantage of  hamobu | 02/03/09
re  jimk_z | 02/03/09
The big difference is...  hamobu | 02/03/09
Windows 7 - too many, as usual  Spacecase | 02/03/09
I don't see what is confusing  timiteh | 02/04/09
Why not include everything at lower price?  BillDem | 02/04/09
Clueless, are we?  Wolfie2K3 | 02/04/09
How can you...  LandonAB | 02/04/09
Why?  daengbo | 02/04/09
about 5 too many  deaf_e_kate | 02/04/09
If only MS could make a modular OS...  T1Oracle | 02/04/09
What is your alternative ?  timiteh | 02/04/09
Uhh, each distro is a different OS...  T1Oracle | 02/04/09
But they already have...  Wolfie2K3 | 02/04/09
Space for 3  KeeBaud | 02/04/09
One size does NOT fit all..  Wolfie2K3 | 02/04/09
Any edition without full backup is one too many.  Romberry | 02/04/09
A Brazilian opinion: TripleII is right  goyta | 02/04/09
ditch Home Premium and give away Ultimate's extras.  Custard_over_2x_Pie | 02/04/09
There has been a Home/Pro Windows for 17 years  ses_27 | 02/04/09
But Vista and 7 are quite different...  chas_2 | 02/04/09
You want one not two  ses_27 | 02/04/09
The feature chart...  Wolfie2K3 | 02/04/09
No such Thing  gbentley@... | 02/04/09
Linux...  LandonAB | 02/04/09
Not really  daengbo | 02/04/09
"Emerging Markets" ???  g-man_863 | 02/04/09
A gentleman at the Newegg directory said his was running seemlessly. Which?  Gillman_Zorgam | 02/05/09
Don't forget about Upgrade versions  bardiferous | 02/05/09

What do you think?

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