6 versions of Windows 7

[Skeithex]

* Windows 7 Starter (limited to three apps concurrently)
* Windows 7 Home Basic (for emerging markets)
* Windows 7 Home Premium (adds Aero, Touch, Media Center)
* Windows 7 Professional (Remote Desktop host, Mobility Center, Presentation mode)
* Windows 7 Enterprise (volume license only, boot from virtual drive, BitLocker)
* Windows 7 Ultimate (limited availability, includes everything)

This information has been confirmed by Microsoft... who never listens to us. At least most consumers will only see Home Premium and Professional options at retail, which is more akin to the XP options of yore, and means WMC will be "baseline" for most PCs.

Update: Just to be clear, we've checked specifically with Microsoft on all six versions, and the placement of Home Basic in emerging markets. There's now a full breakdown after the break.

Windows 7 Starter

* Available worldwide to OEMs on new PCs
* Missing Aero UI tweaks
* Limited to 3 simultaneous applications

Windows 7 Home Basic (Vista equivalent: $200)

* Only available in emerging markets
* Missing Aero UI tweaks

Windows 7 Home Premium (Vista equivalent: $260)

* Available worldwide, to OEMs and in retail
* Includes Aero UI tweaks
* Features multi-touch capabilities
* Adds "premium" games
* Adds media capabilities (Media Center, DVD playback, DVD creation, etc.)
* Can create home network groups

Windows 7 Professional (Vista equivalent: $300)

* Available worldwide, to OEMs and in retail
* Includes all features of Premium
* Adds enhanced networking capabilities (Remote Desktop host, domain support, offline folders, etc.)
* Adds Mobility Center
* Adds Presentation Mode

Windows 7 Enterprise

* Available only in volume licenses
* Includes all features of Professional
* Adds Branch Cache
* Adds Direct Access
* Adds BitLocker

Windows 7 Ultimate (Vista equivalent: $320)

* Limited OEM and retail availability
* Includes all features of Enterprise

http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/03/wind ... s-come-to/

......, I think I am changing OS. why in hell are there 6 versions?!

[froggyboy604]

I think MS wants there to be 6 versions, so peope don't have to pay as much for features they don't need, but I agree having six versions is too much like how there are 3 versions of the Xbox 360: Arcade, Premium, elite.

They should make 3 versions instead like Home, Pro/Enterprise, Server

[SetoTK]

It's so windows can be inexpensive for people who want POS units and are a generic moron.

Average use of PC's is Browser, Media Player, Game, Office suite.
3 versions there are irrelevent as they will not be seen by non commercial markets.

though that windows 7 starter baffled and confounded me. 3 Applications concurrently?! i really hope they are not limiting by executable there.

but anyway a break down of ther versions and why no one cares about them.

* Windows 7 Starter (limited to three apps concurrently)
* Windows 7 Home Basic (for emerging markets) -- Should not be seen by most people.
* Windows 7 Home Premium (adds Aero, Touch, Media Center) -- Typical Home version
* Windows 7 Professional (Remote Desktop host, Mobility Center, Presentation mode)
* Windows 7 Enterprise (volume license only, boot from virtual drive, BitLocker) -- not be seen outside of enterprise market.
* Windows 7 Ultimate (limited availability, includes everything)

[froggyboy604]

I think most companies like Dell, HP, Toshiba, Acer, etc probably put Win. 7 Home Premium on their computers like how Windows Vista Basic is becoming rare in OEM computers.

[Skeithex]

nice break down TK. anyways for people who have a hard time understanding tech will really have a hard time now.

[SetoTK]

Version's are simple to understand but then again you never know human stupidity is the most abundant thing in the universe.

People have no room to learn they are quite happy to allow there knowledge to become stagnant and out of date, if people just carried on the drive to learn the world would not have so many idiots in need of beating with very large sticks.