Windows 7 is still going to have 6+ retail versions...

[mrgreen4242]

Can't believe they didn't learn their lesson from Vista. I can see having a "home" and "pro" version like XP, maybe, but this 5, 6, or more versions is getting a bit ridiculous, imo. Sure, they are trying to target a larger market than Apple, and they don't make any money on hardware sales (that is, hardware sales which have an OS tied to them) but I'm betting that there's not any/many features in Windows 7 that 10.5/10.6 won't have and OS X will likely fit in, pricewise, the low-to-middle end of the Windows spectrum.

I think it's even worse when you consider what OEMs are going to end up paying (likely 1/3 to 1/2 of what customers are asked to pay).

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-10155193-75.html

 

[patrick0brien]

<passes out in surprise>

 

[GSMiller]

I really don't understand a difference between the different versions, other than price. Vista Ultimate is no more compelling to me than Home Premium, and yet it costs, what? Twice as much?

The person who came up with the different "versions" strategy needs fired.

 

[zap2]

I really don't understand a difference between the different versions, other than price. Vista Ultimate is no more compelling to me than Home Premium, and yet it costs, what? Twice as much?

The person who came up with the different "versions" strategy needs fired.

Well I guess that depends on your needs/wants.....from a consumer stand point, one price point is nice, but I like the extra the high end ones offer.


I say, one price point, let the user pick his install(and a suggest install for your average user)

 

[Chaszmyr]

They may have new popularity thanks to the Xbox division, and Windows 7 may be a big improvement over Vista, but Microsoft is still Microsoft.

 

[plinden]

Well, to be fair, you can immediately forget about the Starter version (it allows only three concurrent apps), the Home Basic version will be available in developing markets only, and Enterprise is for enterprises.

So that leaves only three versions you have to choose between.

 

[rdowns]

Note to Microsoft.

Marketing 101.

KISS.

 

[chewietobbacca]

It seems like a lot, but Starter is basically meant for OEMS and developing markets (as is Home Basic) so you have Home Premium, Professional (replaces Business) and Ultimate (but supposedly its a limited thing anyways). Looks like Pro covers it all

 

[Stridder44]

No, they're going to have 2.


TWO.


Starter and Home Basic will never be sold in the US (only developing countries). Home Premium and Professional are all you'll ever see.

And MAYBE Ultimate, but only on Newegg.

 

[rdowns]

No, they're going to have 2.


TWO.


Starter and Home Basic will never be sold in the US (only developing countries). Home Premium and Professional are all you'll ever see.

And MAYBE Ultimate, but only on Newegg.

Here's what the article says. Emphasis mine.

Although the software maker will offer at least six distinct versions of the new operating system, Microsoft said to expect almost all PCs sold in the U.S. to come with either the Home Premium or Professional editions of the operating system.

"We're going to focus on two versions," Microsoft Senior Vice President Bill Veghte said in an interview, noting that those two versions will likely account for 80 percent of Windows 7 sales.

Still, versions of Windows 7 will include: Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate. Unlike with Vista, however, the Home Basic version will be sold only in emerging markets.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Well, to be fair, you can immediately forget about the Starter version (it allows only three concurrent apps), the Home Basic version will be available in developing markets only, and Enterprise is for enterprises.

So that leaves only three versions you have to choose between.

yeah I was going to post something like that.

Just people here just want to bash microsoft. No matter what the truth of the matter is.

The title of this tread is completely wrong any how no matter how you cut it. there are only 5 retail version of Windows 7 no matter how you cut it. Enterprise editions is not sold retail.

Simple truth to every consumer on these boards there will be 3 versons windows 7.

Home Premium.
Business
Ultimate.

Now if you break it down farther.
Home covers most of us. It has the media editions stuff and lets the computer bet the entertainment center.

Bussiness lacks the media part of it but very business focus understandable there no need for the media center PC part

Ultimate has everything of both.

 

[SpaceMagic]

This is so stupid. Microsoft - please listen - you could have done so well with Windows 7. Just don't be stupid and confuse consumers.

Windows 7 - Home
Windows 7 - Business

That's all. Easy. Make the Home at a reasonable price. And offer Higher Edu and Non profit orgs heavy discounts. It will fly.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

This is so stupid. Microsoft - please listen - you could have done so well with Windows 7. Just don't be stupid and confuse consumers.

Windows 7 - Home
Windows 7 - Business

That's all. Easy. Make the Home at a reasonable price. And offer Higher Edu and Non profit orgs heavy discounts. It will fly.

Please remember there really are only 3 versons of windows 7 to be sold.

Home,
Business
Ultimate.

The other 3 are not for retail for the general public.

 

[boyreinvented]

only 2?

OK. If they are only going to push two versions, why not only make two?

Why make 7+?

Meh, leave them to it. They royally f**ked up Vista. As this is Vista 2.0 it's only fair they make some mistakes all over again.

I also hope once a few million people have Vista 2.0 installed, Apple go after them for royalties on that dock of theirs, is it theirs? hmmm.

 

[iObama]

OK. If they are only going to push two versions, why not only make two?

Why make 7+?

Meh, leave them to it. They royally f**ked up Vista. As this is Vista 2.0 it's only fair they make some mistakes all over again.

I also hope once a few million people have Vista 2.0 installed, Apple go after them for royalties on that dock of theirs, is it theirs? hmmm.

Actually, Microsoft should go after Apple for stealing their "quick launch" toolbar. If you would actually pay attention, you would see that the new taskbar is the exact same thing as quick launch with bigger icons.

Stop being such an Apple apologist.

 

[NT1440]

I dont see why any company would want to clutter their lineup when they could just do ONE version.

 

[XnavxeMiyyep]

I dont see why any company would want to clutter their lineup when they could just do ONE version.

It's a built-in haggling system. It's always in your best interest, as a salesman, to haggle for sales you wouldn't have otherwise gotten.

Everyone simply buys the best one they can afford, and now more markets are covered!

 

[JNB]

Regardless, it's still two, three, or six too many, no matter how your parse it. An OS should have a single (desktop) version, letting the user determine their own specific need for feature sets. Locked differentiation is just a marketing ploy, and an incredibly obtuse one at that. It costs more money in production, packaging, and distribution that it's worth, honestly.

And I was hoping that MS was finally smelling the coffee. I so wanted Win7 to be a straightforward, clean OS, as XP is showing its age. Thundering clods, the lot of 'em. Well, Ballmer, anyway. I swear, that man needs to be shown the door before he brings the entire company down from his arrogant stupidity.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Regardless, it's still two, three, or six too many, no matter how your parse it. An OS should have a single (desktop) version, letting the user determine their own specific need for feature sets. Locked differentiation is just a marketing ploy, and an incredibly obtuse one at that. It costs more money in production, packaging, and distribution that it's worth, honestly.

And I was hoping that MS was finally smelling the coffee. I so wanted Win7 to be a straightforward, clean OS, as XP is showing its age. Thundering clods, the lot of 'em. Well, Ballmer, anyway. I swear, that man needs to be shown the door before he brings the entire company down from his arrogant stupidity.

I could argue MS should have at least 2 and at most 3 edition of the OS.


Windows 7 Ultimate

and enterprise. Enterprise is just the name for corporate edition. a lot of big software has the box and then one for well server distribution. '

The one the people can buy I can understand selling in OEM, upgrade and retial.

Remember apple only sells upgrade edition.

The third one I could see argue them selling is starter edition but that is not sold to the general public any how so would not confuse the shelves with it.

 

[twoodcc]

wow. some people never learn

 

[tdevers]

I was hoping they would pull through with 7. I'll keep my MacBook thank you very much!

 

[queshy]

MS should have one version: Windows 7. It should be equivalent to windows 7 ultimate and should be $129. Who else does that? Oh yeah...

 

[sharp65]

Starter, Home Premium, Ultimate. Is it really that hard? The exaggerations here is crazy. Did the threadstarter even read the article he linked to?

 

[jaw04005]

There are only two mainstream versions:

Windows 7 Home Premium - (Widespread retail availability)
Windows 7 Professional -(Super set of Premium, widespread retail availability)

Unless you need "Domain join, Remote Desktop host, advanced backup, EFS and Offline Folders", you don't need Professional. Additionally, you no longer have to buy Ultimate if you want Remote Desktop and Windows Media Center. You just need to buy Professional as it's just a super set of Premium.

Mainstream consumers will never see these versions:
Windows 7 Starter - (Developing nations only, no retail availability)
Windows 7 Home Basic - (Developing nations only, no retail availability)
Windows 7 Enterprise - (Volume licensing only, no retail availability)
Windows 7 Ultimate - (Super set of Professional, Limited retail availability, marketing limited)

Microsoft's Windows 7 marketing directive specifically tells partners not to market Ultimate to home users. Unless you need "Branche Cache, MUI language packs and boot from VHD", you don't need Ultimate.

 

[talkingfuture]

Its funny how Microsoft are so successful that they can afford to ignore the bleeding obvious and plow on when all the world can see how to fix something like this. It makes you wonder if they even considered the Home/Business option or not.