Windows 7 to come in six versions

By: Pallab Jyotee Hazarika

Microsoft confirms rumors of multi-version Windows 7.

More confusing than ever?

 Windows Vista promised the sky and gave very little. Reportedly, only about 20% organizations upgraded to Vista from Windows XP. Incompatibility issues, frequent crashes, huge memory requirement were some of the popular issues on the basis of which the critics have lashed MS. On top of that the innumerable versions of Vista created an expected confusion in buyer’s mind. If you thought that Microsoft learned all its lessons with Vista, you'll soon be disappointed. In spite of the less than favorable response that greeted the various versions of Windows Vista when it was released, Microsoft has decided to release Windows 7 in no less than six different flavors. Despite the fact that the Windows 7 beta is getting mostly positive reviews, revelations that Microsoft plans to release six different flavors of Windows 7 left many in the tech world stupefied and wondering why. The six versions are as follows:

·         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)

There are quite a few differences between them which the average home user would do well to take into consideration. For example, Windows 7 Home Premium should be enough for the average customer, and Windows 7 Professional is aimed at those who need to use it in a business environment. The latter offers improved network functions and those which Vista Business had and didn’t feature in Vista Home Premium.

Windows 7 Starter Edition is aimed at emerging markets, and is limited to just three consecutive user applications. Many sites have reported that Windows 7 Starter Edition is positioned towards netbook users as well. In fact, a senior executive from Microsoft has specifically noted that the improvements in Windows 7 mean that it is possible for "small notebook PCs to run any version of Windows 7”.

Sarah of Idealo News reports that Windows 7 Home Basic will only be sold in economically developing countries. Windows 7 Enterprise on the other hand will be sold only in larger volumes to companies and last but not least Windows 7 Ultimate combines all the functions found in the other versions.

Commenting on Microsoft’s decision to make multi-version release of Windows 7, the general manager for Windows, Mike Ybarra said,

"We did a lot of research and talked to a lot of [hardware] partners and customers. Our biggest challenge is that we have over 1 billion customers, and it's hard to satisfy all of them [with a single version]. There are vocal customers who want every feature, and more regular consumers who say 'I want a version that can grow with me.”

However, the company is emphasizing two main SKUs (stock-keeping units) of the forthcoming OS -- Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional -- saying these are the ones most customers will buy, according to information posted on Microsoft's Web site.

Not only have the names of the various versions of Microsoft Windows 7 been made known, but information about the prices has also been released. The Starter Edition should cost US $199.95 (around £135), Home Premium US$ 259.95 (around £157) and Windows 7 Professional US $ 299.95 (around £205). The system builder versions should be cheaper though – as reported by Sarah.