RSSMicrosoft: All netbooks will run any Windows 7
By Scott M. Fulton, III | Published April 20, 2009, 4:12 PM
There will very likely be some netbooks shipped in the US and other developed markets this year that will feature the Windows 7 Starter Edition SKU announced in February. But this version will have some limitations to it that go beyond the inability to display the Aero front-end using Windows Presentation Foundation -- the direct implication of a statement made by a Microsoft spokesperson to Betanews this afternoon.
But that will not mean that premium editions of Win7 will not be able to run on netbooks, the spokesperson continued, but rather that OEMs may end up choosing to pre-install this limited edition on netbooks for sale.
"Any SKU of Windows 7 will be able to run on netbooks, which means that the hardware limitations of a netbook won't affect the functionality of Windows 7 regardless of SKU," the spokesperson told us. "With Windows 7, Microsoft is on track to have a smaller OS footprint, an improved user interface that should allow for faster boot-up and shut-down times, improved power management for enhanced battery life, enhanced media capabilities and increased reliability, stability and security."
The Journal article suggested that one of the other limitations a Starter Edition user may be faced with is the ability to multitask only a limited number of applications simultaneously -- a feature, we pointed out to Microsoft's spokesperson, that would require a fairly sophisticated application of group policy and therefore, arguably, a more elaborate SKU of Windows than one that omits such a limitation altogether.
The spokesperson would not deny the existence of this or any other specific limitation for Starter Edition, but went on to say that this edition should not be perceived as "defeated" or encumbered (agreeing with our contention that it would need to be elaborate to effectuate the limitation) because it enables customers to choose systems that may be better suited to their needs. Last February, the company announced that Starter Edition would be available in developed markets through retail channels, although Windows 7 Home Basic -- a version which will likely contain limited features -- will only be available in developing markets.
"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," the spokesperson told us. "Small notebook PCs can run any version of Windows 7. For OEMs that build lower-cost small notebook PCs, Windows 7 Starter will now be available in developed markets at a lower cost. 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."
So far, most benchmarks have shown that Windows 7 is just as slow as Vista (and still uses a lot of memory, to the point that running on a 1 gig machine will be difficult). I hope this isn't true, and we won't know the truth until full public tests of the final release. But before you get excited by Windows 7, and certainly before you buy a computer with a "free upgrade coupon" wait for the real benchmarks.
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|"So far, most benchmarks have shown that Windows 7 is just as slow as Vista (and still uses a lot of memory, to the point that running on a 1 gig machine will be difficult)."
Really? Where are these benchmarks published? I am currently running Win7 7077 (Beta) and Win7 7100 (RC) on 2 separate netbooks. Both are HP Mini 1033CL, 1.6ghz ATOM CPU, 1 has 1GB of RAM (PC5300) and the other has 2GB of RAM (PC6400). Win7 (both versions) performs amazingly well on both machines. Now, note, and you will see this on many sites, that Vista wouldn't even INSTALL on these machines, and for those that were able to get Vista loaded and running, could not actually use the machines due to the amount of resources that the OS used.
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|Why post stuff you just make up? That's pointless. Windows 7 has been PROVEN in benchmarks to be faster operational than Windows Vista. Anyone using it will tell you the same.
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|ASUS EeePC running W7 Ultimnate
http://digitalmediaphile...k-w7-mce-and-digital-tv/
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|Windows 7 faster than Ubuntu 9.04 now thats sounding like MS fanboy talk.
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|...and that sounds like linux fanboy talk.
Got it all out of the way now? Neither is officially released, maybe we can compare speeds *after* they are both final??
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|Actually, I have tried both. Ubuntu 9.04 had sound issues, installation issues and generally ran slower than Win7 on the same hardware. Win7 also installed each and every driver for my hardware correctly and has done so since build 7000.
9.04 on the other hand (which was released on 4/23/2009) is STILL having sound issues (https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/364367). From what I have seen so far, it's still not resolved as a simple update.
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|I love Linux, but have to agree. I have experienced the same result you have.
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|Microsoft: All netbooks will run any Windows 7??
That remains to be seen. You can't believe anything Microslop says, as they tend to lie like rugs!
People have enough problems getting Vista to run properly on a Power PC, so unless MS makes some serious improvements to Win7, the problems will remain.
My Netbook came preloaded with LINUX and since I can do the same things with it as with Winblows, without BSODs and system lock ups AND I can avoid all the stupid, ridiculous Patch Tuesdays, that suits me just fine!!
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|obviously you don't have a clue what you're talking about, and haven't tried windows 7.
like you don't have a clue at all. try windows 7 rc when it's out on May 5
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|A ****ing PPC? COME ON, Midnite. Snow Leopard is moving away from PPC completely. Why should the rest of the real world bother with it? PPCs make up how much of the market now?
BSODs on a decent computer with a decent-non-retard behind it occur very rarely (not at all if your hardware is fine and you can monitor what you do on your PC), and the argument against them is like the PowerPC architecture- Old, sad, and unsupported. Oh- and only iSphincters still use them.
I can even smell the vomit on your breath from you regurgitating all those old, stupid lines! "Winblows" wow, you're sooo original. I wish I could be cool like you linux folk- oh wait.
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|Ok, seriously... Why post something when you haven't tried it? Just because it's from MSFT means it's automatically a lie? Really?
For the record... I ran Ubuntu 9.04 (which is due out on April 23, as I remember) on my HP Mini 1033CL. Guess what? sound on a clean install doesn't work. As of Sunday night's build, it still didn't work.
Installed Win7 7077 on same said netbook, guess what, all my hardware works. Sound, mic, screen, everything. And, it's faster than 9.04.
Finally... PPC?! What are you talking about?!
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|Wow Windows will finally be able to run well on a netbook! About time I say...
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|Windows 7 runs on every netbook but that dosen't mean old netbooks run smooth!
Yes Windows 7 can be installed with 512ram and 9GB harddrive
Build 7000 beta was memory eating , RC build should use 512ram wiser.
Windows XP is faster than Windows 7 but a lot of new stuff get implemented and won't be so bad to change OS when you like to be upto date
Want speed then disable animation , QOS , Indexing service and Features;Services what you never use!
People who don't like to play games or try out new programs then switch for Mac or Linux!
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|"the Aero front end using Windows Presentation Foundation"
Aero doesn't actually use WPF; it uses a similar set of technologies that are accessed through unmanaged code. As I understand it, the MIL (the low-level technology underpinning both Aero and WPF) has even forked, and there is no longer a common dependency between the two.
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|"Windows Vista SP2 Capable", i mean..... "Windows 7 Capable"
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|Yeah, complete with class action.
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|*laughing*
You're such a cute little troll...
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|Tool, pot, kettle, black....... [rollseyes]
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|boring
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|Shall we compare notes, sjc00-1?
What ratio of your comments in this thread have been relevant to the topic, non-insulting, and possibly somewhat informative?
Oh, right. *ZERO*.
Thanks for your enlightening contribution.... [smiles]
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|My acer aspire one runs 7068 win 7 better than xp did, and i only have 1 gig of memory on it. I am impressed with it!
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|I am running 7077,and like all other builds is running really sweet,and that,s on 512Mb,s.This same system run's Vista like a pig,so this OS will run well on all modern machines.
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|i don't think netbooks have much of a future.
for now they are simply a fad, whose time is as limited as other electronic fads.
if i recall, there use to be a computer designed only for email. then later there was one designed only for the internet. eventually, they have all have been flushed down the digital toilet.
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|Netbooks can do more then either. In fact, they can *do* just about anything a typical PC can do.
The "fads" failed because they were limited. Netbooks, so long as they have some expandability (Expresscard, etc) are virtually unlimited.
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|They do have a future. They probably have a much brighter future that UMPC's do. People want smaller and lighter. But the physical form can't be so small that it's hard to interact with. Netbooks can do just about anything a normal laptop can do, except anything needing tons of processing power or tons of RAM. And those will come with time...
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|Both of my in-laws and my wife have one - all love them. My in-laws take them when they travel and use them in their "living space" (i.e. den), while my wife has a laptop for her home office and uses her mini while watching t.v. late at night (to "shop" and hunt for songs). They are so much lighter than notebooks (which all 3 have) and as others have said, can do just about anything their notebooks can do. I'd buy one myself if my wife didn't have one. They are a perfect "tweener" between heavier notebooks and eye numbing, finger wrenching cell phones. Personally I prefer desktops but given the choice, I'd definitely take a netbook over a notebook. On a side note, my daughter "tried out" my wife's and now she wants one...I believe they're here to stay.
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|I use and recommend ultraportables. My time is worth more to me than the many compromises a netbook entails.
Lest you think I compromise, my elitebook 2530p is just over 4 pounds and lasts 9 hours, and it runs every app I throw at it.
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|my Dell Mini 9 runs every standard app fine, even photoshop. sure it's awkward with such a small res/screen and it's no speed demon, but the SSD makes up for the lack of CPU power here. i dont use it for photoshop though...
i run office apps, firefox, and primarily rdp into my work desktop pc from around the school district so im never away from my main computer. for $250 w/ 2GB ram, nothing even touches the functionality.
most people dont need a Core2Duo w/ 4GB ram to run Word or Outlook and you certainly dont need one to remote desktop or VNC into servers or workstations.
also my netbook gets 5+ hrs battery with it's stock 4cell. the upgraded battery doubles that.
netbooks arent for everyone...small screen, smaller keyboard, small touchpad...you're not gonna sit on the couch and surf to no end with it, but for those that need an ultra portable laptop, netbooks fill the majority of users needs. theyre not slow by any means...
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|The Dell Mini is also a fantastic hackintosh too :D
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|"Microsoft: All netbooks will run any Windows 7"
Hmm, I think 'ALL' netbooks is stretching it a wee bit. A more accurate statement would be "All current or modern netbooks...". Realistically, netbooks with a semi-decent hardware list...common sense stuff, like 16 at the VERY least, but preferably 40/80GB or more hard drive and 1GB of RAM at least.
Don't want people running Asus Eee 2g and 4g model netbooks kicking and screaming and pointing at these comments and 'promises' by MS when the time comes. You know they would/will.
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|That's probably why microsoft never made that statement...
"Any SKU of Windows 7 will be able to run on netbooks"
Sounds good, but doesn't say "all". Most journalists can see through market-speak like that, and I am *almost* certain Scott can as well, so he threw that in there purely to get people fired up.
Go figure...
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|There's a post about someone getting Windows 7 to run on a Dell Mini 9 with a 4GB SSD.
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|The lack of any qualifiers automatically infers all, as a journalist like Scott knows full well. Thus his choice of wording.
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|*laughing*
Right... Just like "unlimited cable access" means you can download as much as you want...
Try getting that through any court, or even through most folk's common sense filters...
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|The Ultimate version takes up 7 Gb,s,so stripped down will be less,so 16Gb,s is viable for general use.
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|The Windows XP Starter edition only allows you to run 3 applications at the same time. I'm not really surprised about Vista having the same limitation
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|well this is welcome news indeed
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