View Full Version : Windows 7 SKUs announced
antok86
02-03-2009, 01:37 PM
http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/03/windows-7-skus-announced-yes-your-worst-nightmare-has-come-to/
Seems to contradict this site: http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_skus.asp
Mithent
02-03-2009, 03:10 PM
Actually they seem to agree to me - Home Basic still exists, but it's only for emerging markets. Both mention Professional.
However, I don't really see how Engadget claims that "It's worse than you could have possibly imagined", considering it's pretty similar to Vista (although there are too many Vista SKUs, of course).
criccio
02-03-2009, 03:12 PM
And the end of the day, I believe Professional to be the sweet spot. Most definitely the one I will be picking up.
antok86
02-03-2009, 03:12 PM
which of these is the beta closest to?
criccio
02-03-2009, 03:14 PM
which of these is the beta closest to?
The beta gives you the option of installing Ultimate, so I would assume... well there it is.
Database
02-03-2009, 03:19 PM
Sigh... I don't know why they need so many skus.
Archer75
02-03-2009, 03:50 PM
Microsoft is only focusing on two SKU's for home users. Home Premium and Professional.
Enterprise is for, well, enterprises and is available as multiple licenses. Ultimate is Enterprise but in a single license. Not the same as vista ultimate.
Home Basic is for emerging markets.
So you will only see Home Premium and Professional on store shelves. Two to choose from.
darkpaw
02-03-2009, 03:54 PM
Yah, really not that hard. For the average user it'll be two choices only.
This should clear it up: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2340311,00.asp
The five versions available for U.S. customers will be: Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate. But Microsoft will only sell Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Professional at retail, in a bid to eliminate some of the confusion caused by a plethora of Windows Vista versions.
A sixth version, Windows 7 Home Basic, will only be sold in emerging markets, Microsoft said. Of course you'll be able to buy non-retail (oem) versions of the others at your favorite (online) stores.
OldPueblo
02-03-2009, 04:13 PM
This should clear it up: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2340311,00.asp
Of course you'll be able to buy non-retail (oem) versions of the others at your favorite (online) stores.
So the part of that that doesn't make sense is that for Vista the Starter Edition is currently the one sold in emerging markets, not Home Basic which is available here in the US. If they are swapping those then it just adds to the confusion. :p
Archer75
02-03-2009, 04:15 PM
So the part of that that doesn't make sense is that for Vista the Starter Edition is currently the one sold in emerging markets, not Home Basic which is available here in the US. If they are swapping those then it just adds to the confusion. :p
It can't add to the confusion when neither are on store shelves.
OldPueblo
02-03-2009, 04:16 PM
It can't add to the confusion when neither are on store shelves.
Call it personal confusion.
heatlesssun
02-03-2009, 04:21 PM
At least this is a logical line up in terms of features except the Enterprise/Ultimate thing with is simply all about licensing.
Can't wait to see 7 Ultimate in my MSDN downloads!:D
Sovereign
02-03-2009, 04:49 PM
Well if they're going to yank Ultimate off store shelves (retail) then maybe they can stop with the ridiculous "Ultimate Extras" crap... I like how the "Professional" version no longer sacrifices the media capabilities ("includes all features of Premium.") That'll make Professional the go-to for virtually any power user.
Archer75
02-03-2009, 04:51 PM
Well if they're going to yank Ultimate off store shelves (retail) then maybe they can stop with the ridiculous "Ultimate Extras" crap... I like how the "Professional" version no longer sacrifices the media capabilities ("includes all features of Premium.") That'll make Professional the go-to for virtually any power user.
Ultimate won't have the extras. Windows 7 ultimate is not the same thing as Vista ultimate. It's just a single license enterprise copy.
Mithent
02-03-2009, 04:51 PM
Looks like, this time, Windows 7 Professional will be the version for most people - it appears it does have Remote Desktop and is a superset of all the Home Premium features. Ultimate appears to have very little point for home users - the additional features appear to really be real enterprise features which have little point elsewhere.
Still, I bet we'll see plenty of people with Ultimate just because it's the top version!
alex2792
02-03-2009, 05:31 PM
Who came up with the idea of releasing a million versions? Just make it simple. Home for cheap to intermediate PCs, professional/premum for everyone else.
Archer75
02-03-2009, 05:35 PM
Who came up with the idea of releasing a million versions? Just make it simple. Home for cheap to intermediate PCs, professional/premum for everyone else.
And that's all that will be on store shelves. Home Premium and Professional. That's it.
bigdogchris
02-03-2009, 05:36 PM
I like how they kicked out Basic from the US. Seems like Premium and Professional are the 2 you will see on the shelf with Enterprise being marketed towards larger businesses and Ultimate to be bought online or through larger retailers.
griffinhart
02-03-2009, 06:56 PM
I have to agree that this isn't exactly a nightmare on versions. Consumers will get two versions to choose from, Home Premium and Professional. While it will be possible to get other versions, if you are tech savy enough to go looking for them, you're going to be tech savy enough to understand the differences.
brom42
02-03-2009, 07:07 PM
I have to agree that this isn't exactly a nightmare on versions. Consumers will get two versions to choose from, Home Premium and Professional. While it will be possible to get other versions, if you are tech savy enough to go looking for them, you're going to be tech savy enough to understand the differences.
This. MS is keeping it simple for the people who need it to be simple, but still giving the tech people more than enough versions to keep them happy.
All I want is to be able to join a domain and use Windows media center. MS can call it whatever the hell they want. I'll probably get Pro, but if Ultimate isn't that much more than I may just spring for that one.
My only questions is if the Enterprise version will be the only volume licensing version. With Vista, both Business and Enterprise were available with VL.
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