Microsoft has announced the various flavors of Windows 7. As I had hoped Microsoft tried to reduce the confusion and say they will be concentrating most on their Home Premium and Ultimate versions. Apparently there will still be six official SKU’s which isn’t much of a reduction.
There’s no word yet on price but I suspect the Windows 7 Starter will be the under $100 USD version. I’m very surprised at a restriction of “3 concurrent applications” and anxious to find out how that works. My first question to Microsoft is “Do programs like WinPatrol monitoring your system count as one application”? I suspect this feature will be getting a lot more attention in the press this week.
Microsoft said I can share the following information starting Feb 3 at noon PST.
Windows 7 Starter
- Broad app and device compatibility with up to 3 concurrent applications
- Safe, reliable, and supported
- Ability to join a Home Group
- Improved taskbar and JumpLists
Windows 7 Home Basic (emerging markets only)
- Unlimited applications
- Live Thumbnail Previews & enhanced visual experience
- Advanced networking support (ad-hoc wireless networks and internet connection sharing)
- Mobility Center
Windows 7 Home Premium
- Unlimited applications
- Aero Glass & advanced windows navigation
- Easy networking & sharing across all your PCs & devices
- Improved media format support, enhancements to Windows Media Center and media streaming, including Play To
- Multi-touch and improved handwriting recognition
Windows 7 Professional
- Unlimited applications
- Ability to join a managed network with Domain Join
- Protect data with advanced network backup and Encrypting File System
- Print to the right printer at home or work with Location Aware Printing
Windows 7 Enterprise and Ultimate
- Unlimited applications
- BitLocker data protection on internal and external drives
- DirectAccess provides seamless connectivity to your corporate network.
(requires Windows Server 2008 R2) - Decrease time branch office workers wait to open file across the network with BranchCache. (requires Windows Server 2008 R2)
- Prevent unauthorized software from running with AppLocker
Ultimate includes all Enterprise and all Home Premium features, including multi-language packs. Windows 7 Enterprise is available only through Microsoft Volume Licensing