Windows 7: FYI: Official SKUs have been announced...
- 2/3/09 12:03 PM
FYI: Official SKUs have been announced...
by John.Wilkinson - 2/3/09 12:03 PM
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As of 12:00pm PST today the embargo on Windows 7 SKUs (editions) has been lifted.
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Windows 7 will be officially released in 6 editions, closely resembling those found for Windows Vista.
<u style = "font-weight:bold; font-size:small; color:red">Starter:</u>
Audience: Emerging Markets Only
-> Limited to running 3 programs at the same time
<u style = "font-weight:bold; font-size:small; color:red">Home Basic:</u>
Audience: Emerging Markets Only
-> Runs an unlimited number of applications
-> Advanced networking support
-> Live thumbnails and previews
-> Mobility Center
<u style = "font-weight:bold; font-size:small; color:red">Home Premium:</u>
Audience: Average home users
-> Aero Glass
-> Easy network management
-> Improved multimedia support
-> Windows Media Center
-> Multi-touch support
-> Improved handwriting recognition
<u style = "font-weight:bold; font-size:small; color:red">Professional:</u>
Audience: Business and professional users
-> Enhanced domain networking capabilities
-> System backup over a network
-> Encrypting File System (EFS)
-> Location Aware Printing
<u style = "font-weight:bold; font-size:small; color:red">Enterprise:</u>
Audience: Enterprise volume subscribers only
-> Multilingual User Interface (MUI) packages
-> Bitlocker (full hard drive encryption)
-> DirectAccess (corporate network access)
-> BranchCache (decrease network access time)
-> AppLocker (prevent running of unauthorized programs)
<u style = "font-weight:bold; font-size:small; color:red">Ultimate:</u>
Audience: All users
-> All features detailed above.
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Key Notes:
1.) Home Basic edition is now available only in emerging markets rather than on low-end computers in primary markets.
2.) Windows 7 restores the Professional edition, replacing the short-lived Business edition introduced in Windows Vista.
3.) The initial SKU details do not include mention of Windows Ultimate Extras, a highly-touted yet under-delivered series of enhancements promised to Windows Vista Ultimate users.
4.) Windows 7 will also be released in N and KR editions in accordance with European and South Korean legislation.
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Edition Reflection:
Windows Vista has been heavily criticized for coming in too many editions, causing consumer confusion, and this complaint will now undoubtedly be carried into the Windows 7 domain with today's SKU announcement. However, it is important to realize three things:
1.) Windows XP actually came in just as many editions as Windows Vista and Windows 7. (Windows XP Starter edition, Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, Windows XP Professional x64, and Windows XP Embedded, as well as the respective N and KR editions overseas.)
2.) Most consumers purchasing retail copies of Windows Vista did indeed have more comparisons to make than their Windows XP counterparts. (XP Home and XP Professional vs Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, Vista Business, and Vista Ultimate.) However, those purchasing new computers had four Windows XP editions compared to four Windows Vista editions. Thus, for many the change did not pose a newly-daunting task.
3.) Windows XP did not have a single edition which offered a cumulation of the functionality provided in the other editions, meaning some were forced to choose which functionality they could do without. Vista's editions were a blessing in that regard.
4.) Windows 7 will have just three editions the average consumer must choose from: Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate. That is just one more than Windows XP had in the retail domain and one less than Windows Vista had.
Bottom Line:
New computer purchasers will face easier decisions choosing an edition of Windows than they have in nearly a decade while those picking up a retail copy of Windows 7 will find a streamlined selection resembling Windows XP's SKUs but with the cross-functionality of Windows Vista. That sounds like a win-win compromise to me. But that is just my personal opinion--what do YOU think for the official Windows 7 SKU announcement?
Share your thoughts below!
John
Doesn't Matter to me
by Wispa65 - 2/6/09 4:16 PM In reply to: FYI: Official SKUs have been announced... by John.Wilkinson
Hmm...personally I don't mind all the different versions. Microsoft will be rolling out in different markets so its only natural to tailer their product to that specific market. I'll be getting the Windows 7 Ulitmate x64 Edition, so it doesn't bother me. lol!
Mayve not to you, but...
by mittens - 2/13/09 5:57 PM In reply to: Doesn't Matter to me by Wispa65Aero Glass???
SKU?
handwriting recognition (well that I get, but why?)
And if it's not needed, why do we have to have it?
What?
by FrankQC - 2/24/09 7:34 PM In reply to: FYI: Official SKUs have been announced... by John.Wilkinson
They all make sense to me except:
Starter:
Audience: Emerging Markets Only
-> Limited to running 3 programs at the same time
Limited to three programs at the same time? That's not alot..
Indeed...
by John.Wilkinson - 2/24/09 8:50 PM
In reply to: What? by FrankQC
That was introduced with Windows Vista, though it always seemed as though Home Basic would overtake it. In some parts of the world that is more than acceptable, though.
John
UI believe thats the version they will
by orlbuckeye - 3/11/09 11:44 AM In reply to: What? by FrankQCpush on Netbooks. Although you will see netbooks get even more powerfull.
Yeah..
by FrankQC - 3/11/09 4:24 PM In reply to: UI believe thats the version they will by orlbuckeyeLike the Sony P Series. It's so powerful for a netbook.
Ultimate
by RealBigSwede - 3/25/09 10:20 AM In reply to: FYI: Official SKUs have been announced... by John.Wilkinson
I always only using Ultinate. I want all!!
I think MS should re-think it pricing Policy. Cheeper means many more sold and it will puch back against OS X and the Linux. I have try them all and I always come back to Win. Why not selling the cheapest at $70 and the Ultimate around $150 that would stop illegal copy and it would stop the other OS in the track and even revurce the trend they gave now.
Opinions on what you said
by FrankQC - 3/25/09 10:31 AM In reply to: Ultimate by RealBigSwede"Why not selling the cheapest at $70 and the Ultimate around $150 that would stop illegal copy."
I don't know about that. I mean, songs only cost $1 on iTunes and yet people download them illegally. There isn't any exception to operating systems. People will just continue downloading and cracking the operating systems. And when pricing products companies have to be careful. They want to make sure that they're going to get a profit out of all of this. They can't just spend billions of dollars on manufacturing a new operating system and selling it for almost nothing.
"Cheeper means many more sold and it will puch back against OS X and the Linux."
I don't know about that either. Linux, as is, is already free. Microsoft will probably -never- make their operating systems open-source; well. I highly doubt it.
Pushing back against OSX, well... OSX already has a good reputation due to word of mouth and marketing. Their innovations, too. They have prestige pricing and have a valuable fan base. It's like comparing a Rolex (Apple) and Timex (Microsoft).
That's just my opinion.
Opinions on what you said
by RealBigSwede - 3/25/09 11:05 AM In reply to: Opinions on what you said by FrankQCI don't know about that. I mean, songs only cost $1 on iTunes and yet people download them illegally. There isn't any exception to operating systems. People will just continue downloading and cracking the operating systems. And when pricing products companies have to be careful. They want to make sure that they're going to get a profit out of all of this. They can't just spend billions of dollars on manufacturing a new operating system and selling it for almost nothing.
Of cause it should not be free!
I don't know about that either. Linux, as is, is already free. Microsoft will probably -never- make their operating systems open-source; well. I highly doubt it.
Yes it is free but you have to be an expert, It is very hard to change and to upgrade, I did not like the different "curnals" (don't remember how it is spelled) most of the time you have to install them to run programs or hardware. Pain in the but. Easy win for Windows.
Pushing back against OSX, well... OSX already has a good reputation due to word of mouth and marketing. Their innovations, too. They have prestige pricing and have a valuable fan base. It's like comparing a Rolex (Apple) and Timex (Microsoft).
That is why WE the guys that know and use the Windows need to be more active and promot it the same way. I don't think they have inovation over Win. Your comparing I do not agree with. I have both windows and OS 9 and X and I have many problem with them. and the service is not what it is reported. I think they are equal if anything and I believe with Win 7 MS will take the lead.
Opinions Opinions on what you said
by FrankQC - 3/25/09 11:16 AM In reply to: Opinions on what you said by RealBigSwedeOf cause it should not be free!
Of course. I just said that because you used Linux, which is free unless you want the support (for Red Hat)
Yes it is free but you have to be an expert, It is very hard to change and to upgrade, I did not like the different "curnals" (don't remember how it is spelled) most of the time you have to install them to run programs or hardware. Pain in the but. Easy win for Windows.
It's spelled kernel in case you were wondering. Upgrading and updating isn't that hard unless you know what you're doing. I'm no expert in Linux but I can find my way around it. Through terminal it's just (apt: sudo apt-get update; sudo apt-get upgrade)(yum: yum update; yum upgrade)etc. It is, though, a pain at first, but you get used to it.
That is why WE the guys that know and use the Windows need to be more active and promot it the same way. I don't think they have inovation over Win. Your comparing I do not agree with. I have both windows and OS 9 and X and I have many problem with them. and the service is not what it is reported. I think they are equal if anything and I believe with Win 7 MS will take the lead.
Indeed there is no perfect operating system but the UNIX kernel is said to be better than the hybrid kernel Microsoft uses. I find my comparing to be legitimate because Apple does have high innovation because it appeals a lot to the youths. Compare the Windows-PC and the Macs. Which one looks better? (Mac, in my personal opinion).
I think they are equal if anything and I believe with Win 7 MS will take the lead.
Yes, but, Apple is making an operating system going against Windows 7.
OSX: Snow Leopard.
Any thoughts?
That would be detrimental...
by John.Wilkinson - 3/25/09 3:13 PM
In reply to: Ultimate by RealBigSwede
1.) As Frank said, people steal music priced at $0.99 a song. They steal $0.49 candy bars at grocery store checkouts. They even steal copies of DVDs which can be borrowed, free of charge, from the local library at any time. Lowering the price isn't the solution. Those who do not want to pay simply will not pay.
2.) At $70 for a retail copy of Windows 7 Home Premium and $150 for a retail copy of Windows 7 Ultimate on a global scale, with other editions priced accordingly, Microsoft would lose money. Even assuming the lower prices caused more people to buy Windows, they would have a net loss. It doesn't make sense to do that and could only be done for a short amount of time before bankruptcy.
John
You think so?
by RealBigSwede - 3/27/09 1:52 PM In reply to: That would be detrimental... by John.Wilkinson
I know we have almost always people that will steal stuff, But I do Belive that lowering the price would sell much more copies. Because onve you buy it it will be esier to install it thwen to have all the hassle to work around the security to get the illegal copy to work.
remember when MS dos was costing around $30? Then a computer cost about $4000 - 6000 for a basic computer. If I fremember when Win95 came out the basic was around $70-80...and the best copy was $125 I went out and bought the best asap because it did not kill my income. I do think that price DO have inpact on illegal copies. I personal think a 99 cent for a soso copy is ripoff. I buy the full DC at the store where I get the max quality of each trac. Most on the 99cent is only in 128bps while the "REAL" copy have a WAW file that will translate to 320bps the different is like day and night.
MS is selling billions of copy and even if they would only make 5-10 a copy it is a huge profit.
I do suport MS I have use MS from almost the beginning My first compute I bought in 1985. In 1992 I build my first computer since then I have never bought a store computer.
So I have follow MS true the different OS's. I have try alost all OS (MP-80, MS Dos, IBM Window (Came out a couple of month before windows 95), Win 95, Win98, Win XP (32 & 64bit), Win Vista (32 & 64bit) and now Win 7 (only 64bit)
Sorry rambling now!!
Remember...
by John.Wilkinson - 3/27/09 3:42 PM
In reply to: You think so? by RealBigSwede
When DOS came out, gasoline was $0.80/gallon, a postage stamp was $0.15, and minimum wage was $2.19/hour. Likewise, when Windows 95 came out, gas was $1.17/gallon, stamps were $0.29, and minim wage was $4.25/hour. You cannot adequately argue Windows 7 Ultimate should be priced at under $150 based on the prices of previous Microsoft operating systems from 15-30 years ago. Remember, if you believe that argument holds true then you'd have no problem with your boss explaining to you that he/she is cutting your wages because you're being overpaid compared to someone from 1995.
John
And I think inflation plays a role in it
by FrankQC - 3/27/09 6:15 PM In reply to: Remember... by John.Wilkinson
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