http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/ Engadget Comments for Multiple Windows 7 versions coming? Say it ain't so! http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 26th 2009 2:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
Can't we keep it at 2 or 3 versions top?

]]>Jan 25th 2009 12:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 1:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
If I were the designers at Microsoft, that would be how I would do it.]]>Jan 25th 2009 1:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 1:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
I have vista ultimate and it runs great (even before SP1), however, from what I understand Vista Home performs much worse than ultimate. Everyone seems to like the win 7 ultimate beta right now. If there is the same disparity between win 7 home and win 7 ultimate, people who are using the beta now, and decide to buy win 7 when it comes out, will be sorely disappointed in the performance they get. I hope microsoft doesn't this mistake again...]]>Jan 25th 2009 1:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 1:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 1:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 1:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 1:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
There are five choices. The Starter sux - guaranteed. The Ultimate will be overpriced with pointless additional features. That leaves three choices. As long as the differences are clearly enumerated, then no problem.

... and don't even think of venturing into the cookie/cracker section. You'll be sucking your thumb in the fetal position.
]]>Jan 25th 2009 1:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
Pre XP it used to be NT and 95/98 ect.

Win ME was windows "home"

and windows 2000 was windows "business"

Just when they decided to move to one kernel for home and business, the lines got a bit more blurred.

You also have to remember that a administrator wont want to deply a OS with enhanced media ect functions in a business environment.

I used XP pro and Vista business in a home environment, mostly as the enhanced networking settings where useful, and I got them free off msac.

I hope they go for a 2, or at worst 3 sku scheme.]]>Jan 25th 2009 1:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
Two versions would have been great. But since that seems unlikely, lets have lots and lots of versions. Lets go crazy!
» Windows Starter
» Windows Really Basic
» Windows Basic Edition
» Windows Home Edition for Small Home Owners
» Windows Home Edition CE (Condominium Edition - Specially optimized for condominium environment).
» Windows Home Edition Ultimate
» Windows Small Business Edition
» Windows Business - Enterprise Edition
» Windows Business - Corporate Edition

And last but not least

» Windows Mystery Edition (You never know which Windows you got until you open the box).]]>Jan 25th 2009 1:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 1:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
lol]]>Jan 25th 2009 1:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/But I'll tell you something; I would only smoke it in the late evening. Oh, occasionally the early evening, but usually the late evening—or the mid-evening. Just the early evening, mid-evening and late evening. Occasionally, early afternoon, early mid-afternoon, or perhaps the late-mid-afternoon. Oh, sometimes the early-mid-late-early morning.... But never at dusk!

—Steve Martin
.]]>Jan 25th 2009 2:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 2:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/» Windows Starter
» Windows Home Basic Single
» Windows Home Basic Multi
» Windows Home Basic Premium
» Windows Home Basic Business
» Windows Home Premium Basic
» Windows Home Premium Basic Single
» Windows Home Premium Basic Ultimate
» Windows Business 12k (companies revenue under $12k)
» Windows Business 50bn (for companies with revenue over $50 billion)
» Windows Enterprise Business
» Windows Enterprise Professional
» Windows Enterprise Wife
» Windows Ultimate Basic
» Windows Ultimate Premium
» Windows Ultimate Ultimate Basic
» Windows Ultimate Ultimate Ultimate

Keep them comming!]]>Jan 25th 2009 2:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
The changes required to XP to accomidate even the features of DX10 would necessitate new driver models and entire, HUGE chunks of the display system and kernel to be seriously revamped. XP has no GPU scheduling capabilities at all, and can't support the new memory virtualization schemes simply because of the way it works. DX11 is even more advanced.

If you don't understand it, don't call it BS.]]>Jan 25th 2009 2:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
1) The outrage over the number of versions of Vista mostly played out on the internet as most people who use it couldn't care less.

2) People who are complaining....

a) Mac fanboys trying to get some negative press going for Win7

b) Never planned on using it anyways.



]]>Jan 25th 2009 3:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
Memory virtualization was removed from Direct X10's requirements due to Nvidia being unable to get it working when the Geforce 8 series launched. ]]>Jan 25th 2009 3:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
You should write for this blog, but you have too much sense.

Great post!]]>Jan 25th 2009 3:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 3:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 3:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 3:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
Regards,

a PC.]]>Jan 25th 2009 3:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 4:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
I guess the Starter version of Windows 7 runs well on netbooks. The Ultimate version of Windows 7 probably runs well on some mofo 8-core Intel processor yet to be announced.

I think Windows 7 Ultimate means Ultimately you'll not get your money's worth from it and go back to Windows XP.]]>Jan 25th 2009 4:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
At worst, 99% of you will have to choose between no more than 2 versions but in general you won't have any choice and will just be given Home Premium. Is that so hard? Did you all struggle with the numerous versions of XP that were basically the same as Vista/7?

This is a feeble complaint to make about Windows and one that would only he made by the most feeble mind.]]>Jan 25th 2009 4:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 4:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 4:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/10/14/swidniw.png]]>Jan 25th 2009 4:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
Well seeing that Windows 7 is only a evolutionary (read minor) upgrade to Vista, having the same number of versions doesn't really surprise me. But in fact there are many more versions of Vista:

Starter
Home Basic
Home Premium
Business
Enterprise
Ultimate
Home Basic 64-bit
Home Premium 64-bit
Business 64-bit
Enterprise 64-bit
Ultimate 64-bit (included on the Ultimate CD in some cases)

Then there are so many localized versions of each.
Compared to Apple:

OS X 10.5 Leopard

One version runs 32/64 bit apps, is multi-language (18) and doesn't restrict access to features depending on the product key entered.

]]>Jan 25th 2009 5:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
Home Retail
Home OEM
Pro Retail
Pro OEM
Pro Corp
MCE 2004 OEM
MCE 2005 Retail
MCE 2005 OEM
Tablet 2005 OEM

The fact that Vista (and now Windows 7) have all the editions in ONE disk makes everything so much easier.
Also, why complain when 90% of the computers out there will either have Home Premium or Business? Most people who buy their own licenses will get Ultimate because its cost is not that high anymore (at least for an OEM license).]]>Jan 25th 2009 5:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
Home (Not Home Basic, Not Home Premium, just Home)
Business (Because some of us need Terminal Services and IIS)
Ultimate (Because some of us like to use Terminal Services and IIS AT HOME)

Netbooks? Tablets? Thin clients? I figure if you buy ANY version of ANY OS you should be able to pick and choose which bloatware you want on your machine irrespective of what you pay, including tablet functionality. That should be the accepted standard at this stage.

I don't even understand their marketing. I can understand Starter as that as been in foreign markets for a while, but Home Basic serves no real purpose. I mean, if it didn't exist, people would just buy Home Premium. I don't think there is anyone who is going to go "ohh, ouch, that's just 30 bucks too much for me."

Am I missing something here? Does this model actually make perfect sense and I just don't see why?]]>Jan 25th 2009 5:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
Home Basic = no bells and whistles
Home Premium = spend a little more and it'll look nicer and have more features
Business = if you're into more networking features (or simply are a business)
Ultimate = just give it all to me and I'll figure out what I want to use

Honestly if you can't guess that from the names by yourself, then you're going to need help buying the rest of your computer anyway.

Business's will pick the Business one. And home users will have to choose between three words that they can probably guess SIMPLY by how much time they spend on a computer:

BASIC - PREMIUM - ULTIMATE

Stop looking for things to gripe about, I know you all are smart enough.

I mean seriously, I'd rather have these four names then ones named after big cats and don't get me started on Linux Distros...
]]>Jan 25th 2009 5:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/You forgot XP Embedded]]>Jan 25th 2009 6:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 6:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
No James, it wasn't any "simpler" with XP and that's exactly the point that you and everyone else is missing. XP had (at least) the following versions available:

XP Starter
XP Home
XP Professional
XP Media Center Edition
XP Tablet PC Edition
XP 64-bit
XP Home N
XP Professional N

I've left off XP Embedded for obvious reasons and there may be other versions that I've accidentally missed.

The point is, despite the plethora of different XP versions nobody had any problems choosing the right version (with the exception of Media Center users who weren't able to connect to a domain - Vista Ultimate cures this issue) so what is the problem now? I suspect nobody will answer this because they all know too well that there is NO PROBLEM.

I can't believe this thread has so many posts to it over the most trivial point. Engadget must be really pleased that Joshua Topolsky was able to assemble so many fools in one place and get them all to read ads about how to whiten teeth.

For Paul Chapel and the other Apple idiots, the reason OS X only needs one version is that it caters for a tiny number of people who believe that their personalities can be defined by status symbols. As a result, it doesn't need to cater to too many different groups because its user base is inherently shallow and don't require much in the way of software. As long as they've got the simple tools that they need to update their Facebook profile and the hardware to light up the big Apple logo on the lid they should be OK.

The day Windows is able to exist with one version is the day it will die.

]]>Jan 25th 2009 7:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 8:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
But it's still a capability of the system, one that could never be implemented with XP.]]>Jan 25th 2009 8:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 9:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
1) Standard.

2) Light.]]>Jan 26th 2009 11:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 26th 2009 2:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
When installing, they let you pick your user type ("home"/"business"/etc) and then let you customize the packages to be installed (which the basic users could just skip past). Charging different amounts for a basic features is bullshit.
]]>Jan 29th 2009 4:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/
Why not just home/business/server or 7/7 server?]]>Jan 25th 2009 12:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 1:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Starter is typically for developing countries, and very severely gimped.]]>Jan 25th 2009 1:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 2:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/25/multiple-windows-7-versions-coming-say-it-aint-so/Jan 25th 2009 2:28PM