Published: Friday 30th January, 2009 | Author: Parm Mann
Products: Windows 7
Companies: Microsoft (All Microsoft content)
External reviews: Microsoft Windows 7
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email to a friendMicrosoft's Windows 7 has been the talk of the town since its arrival as a public beta earlier this month.
In just a matter of weeks, Windows 7 has already harnessed the kind of enthusiasm that Windows Vista never quite managed to secure over a period of two years. With many of us having put the beta to the test, we know almost everything there is to know about Windows 7 - except which SKUs to expect at retail.
Following the Vista trend, multiple Windows 7 editions have been hinted at and we'd expect Microsoft to continue the "one size doesn't fit all" strategy - it's a possible means of circumventing the European Commission, if nothing else.
Question is; just how many SKUs can we expect? Many have argued that Windows Vista's six-fold line-up is simply too confusing. At present, Microsoft has remained tight lipped on 7's transition to retail, but CNET UK claims the Redmond-giant has confirmed at least one edition that's specifically developed for netbook computers.
Another SKU appears to be exactly what the doctor didn't order, but it's no surprise to see Microsoft targeting the low-power netbook/nettop market. Similarly, 7's availability as a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system may be solely due to must-have support for Intel's 32-bit Atom processor.
There are plenty of existing opinions on how Microsoft should handle Windows 7 SKUs, ranging from "please only one edition, think of the children!" to "I don't need all that crap, FireFox edition please". Nonetheless, there's always room for more so we're chiming in on how we'd like to see Windows 7 arrive at retail. Here's our three-way line-up:
Simple, precise, and consumer friendly. We're being a little optimistic in our proposed pricing, of course, but we can always hope. How would you line up the Windows 7 SKUs? Share your thoughts in the HEXUS.community forums.
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OSX only has one version one cost.
I dont know why vista has so many versions anyway.Quote
OSX only has one version one cost.
If that were the "right" way to do it then why are Apple a minority share, and as far as business is concerned, hardly even a blip on the radar. It just doesn't make sense for the lower end market to "have" to buy the more expensive all encompassing OS when it has stuff they don't need. OSX is more expensive than the lower end editions of Vista for example. Only way it would work as far as customer needs and demands would be to make one OS but priced at the current lowest end, and that's not going to happen and probably wouldn't be profitable.Quote
I dont want to have to pay roughly double the cost for one feature from the business side of things.
its eiether business features,home features at a decent price or all features at an insane price.
I think the buy the features you want idea is the best. buy windows 7 get the base and then buy what your gonna use.
I dont know why business versions dont come with a dvd decoder.Quote
If that were the "right" way to do it then why are Apple a minority share, and as far as business is concerned, hardly even a blip on the radar. It just doesn't make sense for the lower end market to "have" to buy the more expensive all encompassing OS when it has stuff they don't need. OSX is more expensive than the lower end editions of Vista for example. Only way it would work as far as customer needs and demands would be to make one OS but priced at the current lowest end, and that's not going to happen and probably wouldn't be profitable.
Hello,
that is such a simple question to answer. the reason apple have a small market share is becuse they only sell high end laptop and desktops. plus you have to buy everything from apple. if apple allowed OSX to be installed any any hardware that meets the minimum specs they would make more money and have a bigger market share.
btw vista home basic doesnt count its a complete joke.Quote
Personally I'd like to see them to move to a different stratergy.
Firstly: Purchase Windows 7, this runs in either 32 or 64bit mode depending on how it's installed.
Next: Purchase Add-Ons, want Domain support, buy it, want to use media centre? sure and so on.
It'd be a *far* simpler way and, more importantly if the EU really gets a stick up it's arse this time, then MS can simply open up the add on functionality to let people sell similiar packages.
I've seen software with a similar approach and if it's done right it could really make things a damned site easier
I really doubt they would do that because oem would probably just buy the base and put on free software, which would lose money for ms.Quote
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