Microsoft has disclosed some new information about their upcoming operating system. Windows 7, the successor to Vista, will have six different editions.
This should not come as a shock to consumers as most of Microsoft's previous operating systems have had numerous editions.
Windows 7 will be available in the following editions:
-Starter
-Home Basic
-Home Premium
-Professional
-Enterprise
-Ultimate
Each edition will be available in 32 and 64 bit versions and will require a clean install if you are upgrading from XP to take advantage of the Windows Display Driver Model that was introduced with Vista. If you are upgrading from Vista then a clean install is not necessary. Predictions are that the 64 bit versions will be more successful than the 32 bit versions as everyone upgrades to 64 bit operating systems.
Each edition essentially builds on the previous edition with added features and capabilities. All six editions of Windows 7 will be on a single DVD and consumers can upgrade electronically through Microsoft without having to go out and purchase new software at a retailer.
Windows 7 Starter Edition is basically a "bare bones" version that targets ultra low end computers and netbooks. This edition is only offered pre-installed by an OEM and only allows three applications to run at a time.
The Home Basic Edition is also marketed for low end computers especially in developing countries. This version lacks most of the capabilities of the higher editions of Windows 7 and will probably not be sold in North America or Europe.
Windows 7 Home Premium will be the most popular edition for home computer users and will compare with Vista Home Premium. Microsoft believes this version will be the majority of their shipments. HomePremium will boast such features as: Aero Glass interface, Mobility Center for laptops, touch screen controls, HomeGroups networking, and improved media codecs.
Windows 7 Professional Edition will be marketed to small and medium businesses and builds on the Home Premium Edition with domain joining, group policy controls, and offline folder access.
The Enterprise Edition will not be available for purchase at the retail level. This edition will be for Fortune 1000 companies and larger businesses. Windows 7 Enterprise Edition adds a whole slew of features to Professional Edition including: Bitlocker hard drive encryption, AppLocker (a centrally managed group policy program), Branch Cache (a file caching option for branch offices), and powerful integration with Windows Server 2008.
The final and obviously most expensive version of Windows 7 is the Ultimate Edition. This edition does not offer much more than Enterprise edition and Microsoft is currently developing more features to add to Ultimate to justify its "ultimate" price.
Currently there is no pricing information available from Microsoft on Windows 7.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/
http://www.dailytech.com/Windows+7+Has+Six+Editions/article14152.htm
I hope they'll eventually run out of features to upgrade. I know they won't just wishful thinking. I know I'll always have an upgrade to choose from. Each is similar to another.
ReplyDeleteYou never know some people may enjoy using Windows XP instead of Windows 7. Once you have used an OS for a while, it takes time to get use to another system.
ReplyDeleteWindows 7 is going to be great. I think Vista is an excellent OS as well, I just hate it that Apple created so much negativity against it when it was new. Most of the anti-vista propaganda was untrue anyway. I've heard many beta testers say that Windows 7 is very fast and clean.
ReplyDelete