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Windows 7 Starter Edition might not be that bad
There's been a lot of talk about how Windows 7 Starter Edition had a limited feature set. It won't let you run more than three programs at once, for instance. And users won't be able to change the desktop background.
But ZDNet's Ed Bott discovered that these limitations don't have to spell out a horrible user experience. For starters, he says that three application limit isn't exactly written in stone. For example, you can open as many windows of a single program as you like. So you can have a dozen browser tabs or separate windows open at once. And a number of programs that are built into Windows don't count against the limit. That includes Windows Explorer, the Task Manager, or Command Prompt.
Installer programs also don't count against your limit. So you can run three programs while installing a fourth. Control panel applets, Windows desktop gadgets, and anti-virus apps running as a Windows service also get a free pass.
So if all you plan to use your computer for is surfing the web, checking your email, and maybe sending instant messages, you shouldn't have a problem. If you want to do all of those things while making a Skype call and watching a video you probably need a more powerful version of Windows. And Ritalin.
Comments
20
Subscribe to commentsIocaneApr 21st 2009 5:15PM
Or you could just use Ubuntu and Wine on your low power netbook. :P
KeegdnaBApr 21st 2009 5:35PM
Who's honestly gonna buy starter anyway? There's not gonna be any techincal limitation on hardware for home premium, starter's just there for the super cheapskate who will get what he pays for. In fact, I'd bet most OEMs will offer some kind of upgrade incentive so home premium might not even be any more expensive.
MalteserrApr 21st 2009 7:39PM
Learn to read.
"for customers in developing nations"
You're not gonna force a school in fucking India to dish out more cash for the more powerful editions...
KeegdnaBApr 21st 2009 7:39PM
Learn to Read
Home Basic is for developing nations
rcarmApr 21st 2009 7:39PM
"Microsoft has been offering a low cost, limited "starter edition" of Windows for customers in developing nations for a few years now."
It says starter not basic.
KeegdnaBApr 21st 2009 7:40PM
And yet they decided to change that for this version and have Home Basic as the developing countries edition while Starter is exclusive for inexpensive OEM netbooks etc.
FundiApr 22nd 2009 8:07AM
KeegdnaB is right. For windows 7 home basic is for developing nations, unlike vista where started was for developing nations.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions
robotrockApr 21st 2009 7:39PM
Aren't they shooting themselves in the foot with this? People will learn about web applications and Google Docs and all of the fun stuff you can do with Air.
Microsoft just doesn't get it...
sitrucApr 21st 2009 7:53PM
Perhaps it is you who just doesn't get it. This isn't for expensive netbooks or notebooks. This is for the very low-end of the spectrum and manufacturers aren't planning on this being a huge part of their business if they even decide to use it in the US.
robotrockApr 22nd 2009 4:13PM
Well at least I'm not alone in this thinking...
http://www.businessinsider.com/microsofts-windows-7-starter-is-a-gift-to-google-2009-4
And the very low end of the market is where many people will get their start in computers. Allowing them to start off using Linux is also a bad idea.
Timmy P.Apr 21st 2009 7:39PM
"If you want to do all of those things while making a Skype call and watching a video you probably need a more powerful version of Windows. And Ritalin."
Brad, You just made my day.
DrewRichApr 21st 2009 11:46PM
Where exactly can I get a copy of this "starter edition"?
JohnApr 21st 2009 11:46PM
Am I the only one who feels like this should be an article on The Onion?
KenApr 22nd 2009 8:06AM
"making a Skype call and watching a video"
I dont think I can do that now anyways... Maybe if i was female?
PaoloApr 22nd 2009 8:06AM
Maybe only a new way for oem builder to drain money from customers?
You just buy a new pc with windows 7 at the same price of one shipping Vista or Xp, but get a SO that is not fully functional. So you have to spend more money to get another version of windows?
DagurApr 22nd 2009 8:06AM
That limit sounds easy to circumvent.
Jash SayaniApr 22nd 2009 8:07AM
Well, "won't be able to change desktop backgrounds" is a bit cache. I don't know how did they reach to that limitation... But I also know that when it is launched, the next day there will be a 100 hacks on Blogs on how to change the background by playing with the registry and using patches....
Anyways, I'm going to get Home Premium...
Christina WarrenApr 22nd 2009 1:29PM
I seriously doubt that most large OEMs will even entertain the idea of offering Starter Edition on netbooks or other super-cheap machines -- just raise the price $50 for Windows 7 Home Premium, I guarantee almost no one is going to balk, especially since if they sell it right, it can be sold as carrying the latest operating system and having better performance.
jonathanApr 23rd 2009 7:15AM
Make other cuts place more coherent limits, something that wouldn't hurt the starter edition user but would forbit professional users to have it.
like the networking capability, its something that most of the low end computer home users would never lack unless they need networking, so they can need to afford the professional or home version.
Seriously, its just lame and helps piracy, my 5 years old nefew wants more then 3 windows...
Here in Brazil its just common to see computers labeled with "windows starter edition" or linux, running windows xp professional.... being coeherent wont stop piracy, but will help shrinking it (if thats even what thet want)...
BrianApr 25th 2009 6:25PM
Article on arid.net (http://digg.com/d1pTAK) that talked about windows 7 starter edition and had suggestions on a better way to implement the starter edition for netbooks.