How Many Editions Of Windows 7 Will Microsoft Release?
One of the major problems customers face when upgrading to or purchasing a copy of Windows Vista is the so called “edition chaos”. Windows Vista was released in so many editions that it was complicated to find the most suitable edition for one’s needs. Many users fear that Microsoft will continue the trend of releasing lots of editions. Some would even go so far to estimate that the number of editions for Microsoft’s next operating system will exceed the number of editions of Windows Vista. Boing Boing mocked the edition chaos by announcing that Windows 7 would ship in 20 different editions using elusive names including Windows 7 Home Basic Premium, Windows 7 Big Business and one of our favorites the Windows 7 Penultimate edition.
The most likely scenario is that Microsoft will release about the same editions that shipped at the release of Windows Vista. Screenshots of current Windows 7 builds display the version that Microsoft is shipping to its partners as Windows 7 Ultimate which could be a hint that we will see a Windows 7 Ultimate edition. If Microsoft stays true to that strategy they will most likely release editions like Windows 7 Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Premium and Windows 7 Business as well.
The interesting question is if Microsoft will increase or reduce the amount of editions of Windows 7. What is your opinion on the matter? Will it be more or less?
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Microsoft will release the number of versions required to generate the highest profit margin. Whether they are functional or not!
I think ‘edition chaos’ is bad route for Microsoft to take. People are already intimidated enough by Vista. I think in an ideal sense, they could create 3 editions;
Windows 7 Home - Designed for your average PC user
Windows 7 Buisness - Optimized for network/office computing
Windows 7 Ultimate - For power users and gamers
But then again, when XP had it’s two editions, most people I knew got their hand on XP Pro regardless of their background (and for good reasons!)
Indeed, microsoft will release what they think will rake in the biggest profits, however, I think they need to think about their image, and where they already are in the scheme of things. I feel they should make the OS completely modular in what the user chooses to install. Or better yet, since most people could probably barely handle that, have a system where the OS upon install asks you questions about your activities, and configures itself to your needs. So if your grand parents aren’t hardcore gamers, and just want their email in a simplisitic layout, the OS will cut down all the extra potentially confusing eye candy and FX….
Like other comments I agree that Microsoft will release as many versions to make profit and continue to confuse the consumer as to what they really need.
I like the XP model, as it addressed the real world customer base:
Windows 7 Home: media and gaming
Windows 7 Business: for network/office
If Microsoft continues the trend of an overabundant amount of versions it will fuel even funnier Mac vs PC ads.
I think they should consider only versions:
Windows 7 Home
(Media, Games, all that Home stuff we saw in XP)
Windows 7 Business
(Designed especially for Businesses, highly expandable onto servers and mainframes if needed, but still good for Small Businesses)
Windows 7 Ultimate
(All of the above features, with a sexy load screen but no added boot time)
Yes, I agree with Jake and Silentwulf. I think there should be:
Home Basic (Average home user)
Business (Business user on the go [more likely using tablet/Micro PC's (lot of touch capabilities)]) + (less programs to save power on those portable devices)
Ultimate (Includes all functionality and all customization capabilities at the touch of a button to meet anyone’s needs)