Windows 7 to Come in Six Flavors
Prices are not known yet, but let's hope the folks in Redmond are planning to at least keep the costs lower than the wallet-incinerating prices of Vista. Here's a breakdown of the upcoming Windows 7 versions and their likely uses and markets:
- Windows 7 Starter - for netbooks and other low power PCs
- Windows 7 Home Basic - aimed at emerging markets and bargain PCs
- Windows 7 Home Premium - the standard bearer
- Windows 7 Professional - adds business friendly networking features
- Windows 7 Enterprise - for big businesses, licenses sold in bulk only
- Windows 7 Ultimate - probably has all of the features of the other versions crammed into one absurdly priced package
A Peek Inside the New Windows 7
In Windows 7, the Internet Explorer address bar offers automatic pull-down menu links to similarly-spelled sites and favorites you've already visited.
Improved jump lists let you quickly hop to frequently used applications or areas, as well as recent ones, on your computer.
New 3-D library icons give you a more complete sense of what's inside each folder.
The new look of the lightweight Windows Media Player.
The full-screen magnifier lets you zoom in on anything on your screen.
The Peek feature lets you quickly look at a window by just hovering your mouse over a taskbar thumbnail.
The 'Play To' feature lets you play media on compatible network-connected devices (say, your Xbox 360 or a PC in another room) with just a couple of clicks.
Easily choose between your computer's screen or a projector or monitor with the 'Projection' feature.
More Windows taskbar previews.
The personalized Windows Media Player JumpList aims to help you find your favorite music faster.
Related Links:
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
amtracmarine said 7:52PM on 2-03-2009
How about just one version that works?????????
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Master Shake said 12:15PM on 2-04-2009
One version that works IS available. It is called Macintosh OS X. Look into it and stop wasting your money on PC crap.
Anonymous said 2:56PM on 2-04-2009
Oh yeah, theres another one, it's called freakin WINDOWS XP!!! You didn't HAVE to get vista.
And Mac lovers, just freakin' shut up. Yes, Macs may look pretty but THEY DO NOT WORK LIKE PCs. If you think they're so great, name me at least 5 things that macs can do that PCs cant, or at least Macs can do and PCs can 2.
seriousam7 said 3:43AM on 2-04-2009
if thats the best reason you can come up with to switch to mac, then i would guess you're already a mac fanboy/tool thats just trying to win converts to your cult by 'manufacturing outrage,' as one poster on engadget put it. the reasons mac doesnt have multiple sku's is because: 1) its useless for businesses and/or its marketed to be more 'user-friendly,' which does nothing for businesses, and 2) because its too expensive for 'emerging markets' to be interested in it.
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Brandon said 2:42PM on 2-04-2009
I couldn't agree with you more master. OSX is the best operating system on the market. I can't believe that everyone hasn't made the move to macs. I think that once mac figures out how to even themselves up with windows when it comes to gaming, then you will see a majority of people start making the switch. GET A MAC!!!!!
Anonymous said 2:55PM on 2-04-2009
Dude, Mac is the freakin' cult. Did you see that study that some company did that says that like 70% of mac users think they're BETTER than everybody else!? So, don't be calling Windows a cult.
ron said 2:09PM on 2-04-2009
ALL MICROSOFT NEEDS IS A CARNIVAL BARKER TO SELL THEIR JOKES. THEY HAVE SOLD US CRAP SINCE XL. MOVE TO MAC AND BE HAPPY!!!!!
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Nick said 2:14PM on 2-04-2009
Um Windows Vista Starter also exists.... hello? has everyone forgotten about that?
So its not another edition its just aimed at netbooks and might possibly come to the americas.... -.-
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Lloyd said 2:23PM on 2-04-2009
I trying "Windows 7 Ultimate" Beta. It's worse than Vista. Might be okay for super loaded gamer machines, but is a nightmare for standard home or business users. It requires a whole lot more horsepower to even be semi-functional.
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DieBurnBot said 2:39PM on 2-04-2009
LLoyd: Do you really expect Windows to run on your ancient PC? Things have to move forward at some point so maybe you should upgrade your computer and stop complaining. You don't need a high end gaming system to run Vista. I installed Vista on my parents computer which is an Athlon XP 1900+ with 1.5 GB of RAM and it runs fine.
I would say majority of computers that were designed to run Windows XP within the past 4 years are capable of running Vista with a modest RAM upgrade. Windows 7 is supposed to be even more efficient than Vista was. If your computer is older than that then you need to get with the times.
Lloyd said 3:47PM on 2-04-2009
DieBurnBot: To be honest, yes, I do expect Vista or Windows 7 to be as good as XP on the same tasks. If I needed some heavy duty graphic package, it would be different. But, I don't.
I installed "Windows 7 Ultimate" on a Celeron - 2.6 Ghz Pc with 1 GB Ram. Yea, that's the minimum RAM for Win7, but that's more than enough for a great XP machine. My video resolution is 1024 X 768, which is wonderful for most home and business applications. "Win7" complains on even standard simple tasks such as Spider Solitaire. If it can't run a simple program without pain, why would I want it for more complex issues?
Seems to me that Win7 (or Vista) is simply a shill for the purchase of newer hardware.
Illinois Fritz said 5:15PM on 2-04-2009
Hi Lloyd...
Like you, I'm also giving Win7 beta a try. Unlike you, I'm not really having any problems.
My system is an older Pentium 4 1.6gHz, 1GB PC133 RAM, 50GB partition (on a 250GB drive) with a 256MB video card.
I am running Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean Online with no real problems (aside from lag from the internet).
If it's not able to run Spider Solitaire, you're having other issues. You might want to check into your drivers or your install.
No, I don't have Vista... I'm running XP Pro on my other drive, and it runs good also with this same setup. I've been happy with it.
shaden79 said 4:38AM on 2-05-2009
ok i am sorry Lloyd but you are doing something wrong i have a 1.6 ghz laptop which i upgraded to win 7 an it runs absolutely wonderfully. this system is designed to be able to run on net books which have some of the worst graphic abilities ever along with the awful atom processor. your computer should be able to run it with spades. turn on windows updates and check on your drivers because you have no idea what you are missing. Windows Seven is amazing
Shaden79
p.s. you forgot to mention after the probably absurd price if the ultimate edition that everyone will pirate it instead :)
John Dumas said 2:29PM on 2-04-2009
All programs including OSs should become, smaller, faster, less buggy, Windows always goes the other way. Every new version has actually been a downgrade.
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Drew said 2:34PM on 2-04-2009
Actually this is rather misleading as consumers will only be picking between Home Premium and Professional just like with XP, so nothing too new here. Appears someone should do a tad more research before writing an article.
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carol said 2:35PM on 2-04-2009
Vista was the reason I just bought a Mac. It is very user friendly although I have not tried to use it for business. Hopefully the new 7 version will work more consistently for the rest of you.
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Maggie said 2:39PM on 2-04-2009
I was considering buying a new PC for my business but the only software available was Vista. Since Vista was not compatible with my scanner, printer etc., I decided to go with Mac X instead. I found it disgraceful that when I did check into purchasing a PC I was not given the option to have XP downloaded on to it.
I am "assuming" that Microsoft did not allowed companies that sell PC's to do this so that they can push their Vista on to the consumer's. Hey we are not stupid consumers, we like reasonable choices. Maybe that is why some of the companies that sold their products are going out of business. Poor C city.
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DieBurnBot said 2:44PM on 2-04-2009
You can install XP yourself if you know how or care to learn. Everyone wants everything handed to them on a platter.
Charlieb said 2:55PM on 2-04-2009
XP & XP pro OS PCs are still available, as are compatibility upgrade software for most printers and fax machines ,unless to old which may concider newer eguip.
Earl said 3:27PM on 2-04-2009
Dell still offers computers with XP.