RSSExplanation for Windows 7 'clear choices' for SKUs murkier than ever
By Scott M. Fulton, III | Published February 4, 2009, 10:52 AM
There will be a client version of Windows 7 geared for everyday consumers, and another client version for businesses other than those that would normally purchase volume licenses. The reasons why are growing fewer in number.
The official explanation for Microsoft's choice of product SKUs for Windows 7 later this year -- which follows an almost identical pattern to the current breakdown for Windows Vista -- could be more befuddling than the existing explanation for Vista. Yesterday's prepared Q&A with Windows General Manager Mike Ybarra states in great detail that his company's choices give consumers a broad array of choices, while at the same time acknowledging that there's only one choice they should make anyway.
"We have designed Windows 7 so different editions of Windows 7 can run on a very broad set of hardware, from small-notebook PCs (sometimes referred to as netbooks) to full gaming desktops," stated Ybarra yesterday. "This way, customers can enable the scenarios they want across the broad hardware choices they have."
But what scenarios would that be? Just two paragraphs later, we learn that there's really only one: "Windows 7 Home Premium is the recommended choice for consumers. It gives them a full-function PC experience and a visually rich environment in everything from the way they experience entertainment to the way they connect their devices."
What if a consumer has one of those small-notebook PCs (sometimes referred to as netbooks) to which Ybarra referred? Last October at PDC, Microsoft gave us reason to believe that Microsoft could be planning a special SKU for netbooks. The danger with creating such as SKU, however, would be the inevitable interpretation by consumers that Win7 was "bloated," and needed to be scaled down to fit -- a feat that hasn't been possible for many netbook manufacturers who continue to use Windows XP instead.
No such SKU was announced yesterday, which was no surprise to testers of recent Win7 beta builds who noticed no such choice was listed by their setup programs.
In a separate prepared Q&A yesterday, marketing corporate VP Brad Brooks stated his company thought long and hard about its netbook options, deciding to give customers "a clear path for Windows 7 across the board, so as we demonstrated at PDC, WinHEC and CES, Windows 7 provides a great user experience on small-notebook PCs."
And what choice would that be, specifically? Just two paragraphs down, Brooks' answer is, well, just about anything you want it to be.
"These engineering investments allow small notebook PCs to run any version of Windows 7, and allow customers complete flexibility to purchase a system which meets their needs. For OEMs that build lower-cost small notebook PCs, Windows 7 Starter will now be available in developed markets. For the most enhanced, full-functioning Windows experience on small notebook PCs, however, consumers will want to go with Windows 7 Home Premium, which lets you get the most out of your digital media and easily connect with other PCs."
And just how should consumers make that clear choice? Brooks recommends that consumers spend a lot of time thinking about it first: "I tell people to spend some time thinking carefully about what types of activities they want to do with their computer. There are many full-size notebook options out there that are also very affordable and portable. Ask yourself what you want your computer to do, balancing those needs with how mobile you want it to be. There isn't a one-size-fits-all option."
Where exactly, then, is the clarity in the "clear choice?" As has been the case with Vista, most of the functionality of the Home Premium edition will match that of the Professional edition (comparable to the Vista Business SKU), which Microsoft now says is tailored to the home office. And there will actually be one less distinction between the two, Ybarra admitted, saying that Win7 Professional will include a standard Windows Media Player that had been excluded from Vista Business.
This leaves one, and perhaps only one, critical distinction, having to do with security -- or perhaps more to the point, securability. For Vista SP1, the decision was made to exclude group policy management from the consumer-directed SKUs such as Vista Home Premium, on the theory that the consumer's PC wouldn't need it, as it would likely not be part of an administered Active Directory-based scenario.
The problem is, that's less and less the truth, especially with more home offices being connected to VPNs. Prior to Vista's release, Microsoft engineers had been working on an Advanced version of its Windows Firewall that did use the group policy mechanism in a personalized environment. It was complex, and probably pretty hard to learn, but at least it was straightforward and it appeared to work well enough. But that project was pretty much canned when GPOs were removed from SP1 -- in fact, the setup actively removes the mechanism. That doesn't mean it can't theoretically be reinstalled, but recently, Microsoft has taken great pains to eliminate any trace of the former GPO plug-in from general availability.
What's more, the company has been working on finding ways to perhaps open consumer-based installations to more automated management options, maybe even purchased through Microsoft. The GPO mechanism would be beneficial there too, but only in the absence of an artificial restriction against the use of this potentially powerful security tool, for the sake of maintaining distinctions between product SKUs.
That's not to say customers won't be able to get such features, they'll just have to pay extra for them. As Ybarra explained yesterday, "Windows 7 Ultimate edition is designed for PC enthusiasts who 'want it all,' and customers who want the security features such as BitLocker found in Windows 7 Enterprise edition."
"the company has been working on finding ways to perhaps open consumer-based installations to more automated management options"
That's Marketing-speak for "Micorsoft is building in even more new vulnerabilities so that consumers can spend lots of money on applications to protect themselves from malware, or pay enormous sums to have malware removed when (not if) their Windows machines are infected."
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|Is it Windows 7 because of the number of SKUs? But then too it should be NT 6.x. LOL.
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|Baskin Rbbins - 100 flavors. there are only a few things you can be sure of
1. Drivers will not work with the hardware you already have and not much new hardware will work with it either.
2. The first rushed to market releases will have more bugs than an anthill
3. Software developers will adopt existing software for the "flavor" that ships on the largest number of machines - they will not develop new software for the platform - would you?
4 scores of "security improvements" will be built in designed only to minimize the number of calls and emails to MS customer service.
5. Every conceivable possibility for DRM will be built into the kernel
........ Microsoft always does the exact same thing an always will
Score: -1
|*laughing*
Yer rich...
1.) Windows 7 will work with Vista drivers. Not a problem. Most beta installs have had few, if any driver issues on systems that have already run vista.
2.) Win7 dev has been tightened vs. Vista. Any code in the winmain branch is tested and working. They could release it tomorrow and have fewer "non-functional" features than Vista had at launch. (Check Win7 Engineering blog for detailed info)
3.) People are developing software for Vista...and have been for a while. Why would they not do the same for a better, faster, more stable version of the OS?
4.) reigning in support costs means two things: Less overhead, and fewer issues for the end-user. How are either of these things a "Bad thing™"?
5.) You're an idiot. There is NO DRM in Vista aside from support for HDCP and some MSFT content protection schemes. Relatively few Blu-Ray titles require the DRM support to be activated, and if you have DRM tunes, well...you probably would like to be able to listen to them. This support is not active unless called on by a product that requires it, thus taking no resources when not in use. Windows 7 will likewise be the same.
Old trolls. Score: 0. Get some new material.
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|Except for Microsoft and inconditional 'microsofters' across the web, everyone else seems to agree that it is too much, no matter if the former can find a logic that accommodate 7 versions.
My thoughts? Only make what you really need to: K.I.S.S. comes to guts.
7 Basic: for those old or current low-cost computers that can't handle anything beefier. of course, without the 3 open apps limit. it's a reality.
7 Home: standard, for normal people. with simple lives. geeky or not. without all that stuff that users at home don't need for browsing, gaming and doing random stuff.
7 Professional: all business features and "i'm a pro" things.
And as "ultimate extras" are a scam, you just buy the professional version if u need everything 7 has to give. Life solved!
Choice is not difficult. Which doesn't touch that choices are dumb.
The usual repliers, please don't reply. Thank you for your respect.
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|"Except for Microsoft and inconditional 'microsofters' across the web, everyone else seems to agree that it is too much,"
Who is this "everyone else"...and where have they been hiding? The only complaints I have seen have been from the usual group of MSFT trolls and folks who seem to feel as though they should get *all* of the features for the price of the basic edition...
Where exactly are you getting the data for your research? ;)
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|You were the only one who had not to reply. This is not research. And in fact, i propose a fairly simple home edition.
Please all full time nerds go get some air. Don't make me feel angry at anyone, i just wanna post a commentary without you stalking.
Don't reply again please.
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|I'm a full time nerd (well, nearly full-time) and I'm replying to set you straight. First off, asking PC_Tool to not rush to Microsoft's defense is a bit like asking for water to flow upstream. Secondly, he has every right to do so, regardless of how compulsive it may appear. And last but certainly not least, why did you feel compelled to come back to this thread? Obviously to read the replies that you were fishing for. While you do make a few valid points, I call "troll" on you, sir.
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|*laughing @ thatist*
You post, you get commentary. If you don't want comments, don't post. Pretty simple stuff, man.
Especially when you post BS that you can't back up. :)
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|@psycros
"First off, asking PC_Tool to not rush to Microsoft's defense is a bit like asking for water to flow upstream"
Unless it's in regards to IE, their "Live" Services, or their search. (Of course, I'll defend their right to go that route, but I'll disagree with the quality/usefulness of it all.)
Contrary to popular belief, I do not love everything Microsoft.
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|Sometimes, water does go upstream. :)
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|"You were the only one who had not to reply. This is not research. And in fact, i propose a fairly simple home edition.
Please all full time nerds go get some air. Don't make me feel angry at anyone, i just wanna post a commentary without you stalking.
Don't reply again please."
You're full of it. Plenty of people will complain that there's even 3 choices, or even 2. They just want to buy it and have it install itself (preferably straight from the disk without even having to put it in the drive) and read their minds as to their preferences, not to mention have it do everything for them without any needed effort on their part.
And don't be so insulting. They are the most likely to know what they are talking about, not you.
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|Windows 7 Ultimate
Market: Retail market, limited availability
Key features: BitLocker, BitLocker To Go, AppLocker, Direct Access, Branche Cache, MUI language packs, boot from VHD
Those key features aren't available in pro edition, this really sucks
From PCmag:
Windows 7 Ultimate Edition, meanwhile, won't be sold directly to consumers. Instead, Windows 7 Ultimate will be an upgrade offered only as an add-on, which also means that consumers will be forced to pay for Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 7 Professional, and then pay again for the upgrade. However, Microsoft will roll out all of the versions on a single disc, allowing users the choice of either buying offline media or applying for an online upgrade key that will unlock the additional capabilities.
"Ultimate combines all of the features of Windows 7 Home Premium plus provides access to all of the Enterprise features including BitLocker, BitLocker To Go, AppLocker, BranchCache, DirectAccess (accessing a corporate network without Remote Access Server installed), MUI, etc.," Microsoft said. BitLocker and AppLocker lock down data and applications, respectively.
Source: http://www.pcmag.com/art...2/0,2817,2340311,00.asp
The main reasons to upgrade to Windows 7 are because of features like BitLocker to go, AppLocker, and boot from VHD, but those features won't be available in professional edition (formerly known as Business edition) and we would have to pay again and then upgrade for those features. And as far as Windows 7 Enterprise goes which is only available via MSDN/Technet goes, am def. not going through that VL crap and activate Windows every 180 days. Damn Microsoft
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|This amounts to you wanting all the features for the price of the Pro edition. Excuse me while I try to work up some sympathy...
Nah, couldn't do it.
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|I would def. go for Ultimate, just like I did with Vista but seems like getting Ultimate edition is going to be an ultimate challenge since we would have to go through the hassle of paying more and then upgrading. That really sucks.
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|Ultimate did not retail well *at all*. It doesn't pay for them to offer it, since it's even less important now that "Extras" have disappeared. Ultimate is a joke.
Still, if I were you, I'd OEM the Ultimate SKU...I am sure they will have it, simply for the fact that the OEMs will need to install it on systems that ship with it. it just won't sell as a retail CD.
*shrug*
Even so, with the "upgrade process", it's a one-off. Install the OS, leave the disc in, buy the upgrade key and do an in-place upgrade. Might add 20 minutes to the installation process total. Can't see it as that big a deal, really.
I honestly think you're getting all worked up over nothing. I've never seen a home user complain about the versions or the process, and the rest of us know what we need...in great detail. As it is now, most systems sell with Vista Home Premium, and I can only assume that will remain the case when they switch to Win7. It's the most logical choice for OEMs, and they haven't had complaints from the user-base.
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|Let me see, there's Windows 7 Starter Professional Home Premium, no, that's Vista Windows 7 Home Starter Live Messenger Premium Ultimate, ....oops, I mean 7 Windows Live Professional Premium Ultimate Business Home Starter Basic.....nope, from the top, there's Windows 95 Me XP Professional Premium Home, ....uh oh, wrong again, how 'bout Vista 2000 Sharepoint Server Live Vista 7 Windows XP Pro Professional Home Ultimate Starter Business Home Gollum Wombat Ubuntu Server Leopard Adobe Norton Home Premium Basic....
Score: -1
|The only clear action here is the opportunity MS has wasted. Could there have been a better way to undo all the positive reaction to the beta? MS continues to insult its base by telling some users that their data is less important to secure and/or backup than others, or that some people just need a different level of connectivity than others. Either by implying that they don't need this or that "feature", wouldn't understand it, or just plain don't deserve it...I can see the "I'm a Mac/PC" ad now. It's like marketing at MS just looks for chasms to jump into.
Score: -1
|*LAUGHING*
OR...
They are lowering the price on versions that don't include functionality a lot of people aren't going to need.
MSFT isn't forcing anyone to buy any specific version. Want it all? Buy "Ultimate". Don't need bitlocker? Buy "Home Premium".
The alternative is selling only one "ultimate" version @ $240 and giving people a bunch of features and functionality they will never need or use.
Of course, through "troll-colored" glasses, this is confusing, or, even better, an insult. How cute...
"It's like marketing at MS just looks for chasms to jump into"
...and it's like the trolls just make up BS to complain about.
You mention the Mac... "Time Machine" Don't need it, don't want it. But I still gotta pay for it. If they sold a version without it, cheaper? Done.
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|I can hear you now, if Microsoft announced 75 different SKUs for Windows 7. "Well, DUH!!! Anyone intelligent wants a different version for every single feature! Ala carte operating systems are the way of the future, cuz Steve Ballmer said so! Developers, developers, developers, developers, developers!!!" And as far as trolls go, calling everyone you disagree with a troll is about as trollish as it gets.
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|"if Microsoft announced 75 different SKUs for Windows "
Ah...pulling out absurdities now? Can't discuss it logically or rationally, so you're going to jump over into fantasy land, where you might actually stand a chance (because you can make up the rules as you go)?
How cute.
Ala carte would be great, but then you'd b**** about paying for each feature you wanted. See, there's just no win here unless they *give* it to you. That's why you're a troll. :)
What amounts to essentially 2 versions for the home user to choose from is *not* confusing. if they had Home Premium, Home Media Center, Home workstation, Home Gaming, and Home surfing editions, it would be a different story (a little closer to your absurd suggestion, just not quite as stupid, but stupid nonetheless).
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|Yeah...seems straightforward enough...then again I was never confused about the Vista choices.
I build my own machines and and use an OEM copy of "Ultimate".
OEM prices are about 1/2 the retail prices.
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|Some people are easily confused, or have to *find* things to complain about...
The rest of us will buy Home Premium for the home, and Enterprise for business use.
Gee, that was difficult...
Score: 4
|You can't buy enterprise edition at retail market. It can only be purchased via MSDN and am sure just like Vista it's a VL crap and must be activated every 180 days. See this crap:
Windows 7 Ultimate Edition, meanwhile, won't be sold directly to consumers. Instead, Windows 7 Ultimate will be an upgrade offered only as an add-on, which also means that consumers will be forced to pay for Windows 7 Home Premium or Windows 7 Professional, and then pay again for the upgrade. However, Microsoft will roll out all of the versions on a single disc, allowing users the choice of either buying offline media or applying for an online upgrade key that will unlock the additional capabilities.
"Ultimate combines all of the features of Windows 7 Home Premium plus provides access to all of the Enterprise features including BitLocker, BitLocker To Go, AppLocker, BranchCache, DirectAccess (accessing a corporate network without Remote Access Server installed), MUI, etc.," Microsoft said. BitLocker and AppLocker lock down data and applications, respectively.
from pcmag: http://www.pcmag.com/art...2/0,2817,2340311,00.asp
The main reasons to upgrade to Windows 7 are because of features like BitLocker to go, AppLocker, and boot from VHD, but those features won't be available in professional edition. What a crap!!
Gonna post it above too
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|"You can't buy enterprise edition at retail market."
So? It's for businesses. Duh?
As for Ultimate only being sold as an upgrade....so? It doesn't give pricing info, so if the Home Premium costs $180, and the upgrade costs $60, you're still @ $240. (or if you bought the Home Premium as an upgrade, even less.)
Bitlocker, AppLocker, and VHD are not consumer features. They generally wouldn't need them. If they did, well...they have the option to upgrade to Ultimate. Neat how that works out, eh?
You don't seem to realize you are a minority among computer users, as are most of us here. We use features and require functionality that the average user would never bother with, much less actually see a need for.
...but you feel entitled to all the features at half the price? Go figure. That seems to be the mantra of the self-anointed "victim class" these days.
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|Features like AppLocker, and booting from VHD should be present in all the editions of Windows 7. That's what I was expecting and so were many Windows users. Yes some consumers won't need those features but many will complain for not including those great features. Just like they did when BitLocker was excluded from Business edition.
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|"That's what I was expecting and so were many Windows users. Yes some consumers won't need those features but many will complain for not including those great features. Just like they did when BitLocker was excluded from Business edition."
Haven't seen that complaint once. I've yet to hear a home user complain about "bitlocker" or the lack thereof. I strongly suspect they'd look at me like a deer in the headlights if I mentioned it to them.
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|I said BitLocker should have been there in the business edition of Vista.
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|I cut the wrong bit of the post...
"Features like AppLocker, and booting from VHD should be present in all the editions of Windows 7. "
Just substitute "bitlocker" for "AppLocker/VHD". Home users have no real use for these (though I suppose VHD might be an easy way to hide stuff from the wife/kids).
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|makes sense to me, Windows 7 Home Premium or Ultimate/Enterprise, choice really isn't that difficult for myself, Ultimate, i want it all, i kind of have to laugh at your article however... you just made simple choices sound horribly difficult, when its not.
there are only 3 choices available for developed markets
Score: 2
|The articles on this that aren't trying to skew the facts are clearly saying most people will only see starter and home premium. The rest will be online upgrades, OEM selection or business selections.
Score: 1
|