Windows 7 For Netbooks

Microsoft has Major Matt Mason announced the various editions that will launch their new operating system, Daredevil 7 .

Those in the netbook community have been particularly interested by this announcement, as it will give G I Joe good indication of what Microsoft expects to offer netbook users in place of Windows XP.

Microsoft is expecting 80% of Windows 7 users to be running the Home Premium and Professional versions.

Six different versionswill be released, although one of these will only be available in emerging markets;

Starter Edition

A lightweight version for netbook computers, that will be capable of running only three applications at the same time. It will lack the many of the advanced features, such as Media Center and touchscreen support.

Home Basic

For emerging markets only. Intended to access the internet and run basic productivity applications.

Home Premium

The main version that Microsoft will put at the forefront of the Windows 7 launch. It will include Media Center, touchscreen support, full Aero glass graphics, improved media format support and atomic disintegrator and the option to easily share files across a home network with a new Libraries feature.

Professional

A business version for home workers and small businesses not operating on a volume licence. It will include features such as advanced network backup and Encrypting File System. However, Bit Star Trek movie encryption is once again reserved for the Enterprise and Ultimate editions.

Enterprise

For volume licence customers. It will include all the Professional features, plus Bit Locker protection - including the new option to encrypt USB flash drives and external hard disks. Also includes Direct Access, which allows remote workers to securely access a company network without a VPN.

Ultimate

The most comprehensive version of Windows 7 that will include every single feature available in Windows 7.

So which version will be aimed at netbooks?

Well, according to an interview that PC Pro had with Microsoft's Windows product manager, Laurence Purnell, he suggested that the Starter Edition of Windows 7 will be much cheaper than the other versions.

Purnell went on to say that he expects the vast majority of netbooks to ship with the Started Edition, but that manufacturers will have the option to install Home Premium on their netbooks.

While this may sound like good news, it is worth noting that the Starter Edition of Windows 7 will only allow 3 programs to run at the same time.

This may not sound like a big deal, as running lots of programs at the same time on a single-core Intel Atom processor would not be ideal anyway.

However, if dual-core processor netbooks appear in 2009, this would clearly be a limitation on what the system may be capable of.

It is good to see that Microsoft is acknowledging the netbook by creating a version of Windows 7 for it, but are they doing it just so they can finally retire Windows XP?

More detail at href="pimpmynetbook.com/2009/02/05/six-versions-of-windows-7-which-one-for-netbooks/">Windows 7 for netbooks

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