Microsoft is being pilloried over its plan to hobble the power of netbooks with a crippled version of its new operating system called Windows 7 Starter Edition. With the release of Windows 7 still months away and a competitor like Google’s Android looming, Microsoft may be just testing the market to gauge its reaction. If so, the answer it is receiving spells trouble.
The fact is that consumers will not accept paying for an operating system that deliberately stunts the power of their hardware and only allows three applications to run simultaneously. Not in this day and age when they now have plenty of alternatives to choose from.
Aside from the various Linux distributions and the Linux-based Android, Microsoft is likely to encounter considerable resistance from users of Windows XP.
Claims from Microsoft that Windows XP users would be satisfied to “upgrade” to Windows 7 Starter, with its 3 applications limit, because it’s “easier” and “more reliable” are beyond nonsense. They insult the intelligence of Microsoft’s customers.
It stretches the sensibilities beyond their limits to think that Microsoft could even try to convince any of its users that going from full-powered XP to a severely stunted version of Windows 7 is an upgrade.
If this is the class of marketing plans developed inside Microsoft, they’re in more trouble than I thought they were.
Even though I have a Mac, I do have to use ”other computer OS’s” from time to time.
Mr. Gates, Bill, don’t do this to us! We need you back at work occasionally. The whole UI of windows needs to be upgraded also.
Can a company get anymore disconnected?! I guess when you dominate completely there’s no need to compete, except with yourself of course. If they were smart they’d poll their clients to find out what they want instead of just trying to sell the WOW factor. If you ask me they should finish XP 64 as a product, make it work with the latest directX, and don’t add anything to security or clever ways to waste cycles on a pretty presentation. I’d actually pay for that.
3.11 lokks better everyday!
Ubuntu here I come.
Jeez, will M$ never learn? Cut the crap and give us just ONE version of Windows 7! This idea of “basic,” “home,” professional,” “extreme” or whatever versions just confuses people. It’s only an operating system, for Chrissake!
Wait, wasn’t there a Starter Version for XP too? Last time i checked it was released in South America some time ago.
They only need two versions of Windows 7, 32-bit and 64-bit. That’s it, if your computer can’t run them, stay with XP.
If you want a better analysis of what the reason and features of the 5 versions of Windows 7 are I suggest going over to a different source. The author of the article is limited in his thinking of the situation and doesn’t know the reasons for Windows 7 starter.
I saw head over to a better site and he should get more info on 7. Go to http://www.winsupersite.com or something else please.
This will give people the opportunity to load viruses, spyware, worms, root kits and participate in denial of service attacks without having to pay for the full blown version. Schweet!
Seriously, what a bunch of clowns. It almost makes you think that other companies have sent people to work for Microsoft just to fuck it up.
If you don’t like it just install the Mac OS or linux. No problem.
Once my current XP becomes too old to use I think my next OS will be some version of Linux.
I will abstain from W7 but will purve on Linux baby! RAR!
You know Eideard you can renounce your pledge. Get out there and get some baby!
talk about milking the cow…
i have no less then 6 programs open at any one
time and 7 or 8 tabs on firefox..
only entity i can see this being sold to en-mass
is government or education.
Linux just got a big boost from this boondoggle.
-s
Yup, there should be just one version to rule them all. Add in a wizard to tune it for server or desktop use maybe, but leave in all the features and charge 99.00 for it.
…aaand Billy Gates is up to the plate. He adjusts his cap. It’s a swing and a miss. DOS steerike one.
He kicks at the plate, cocks his bat. The pitcher looks at the first baseman. There’s the windup and the pitch… Vista gonna be strike two.
The crowd is hushed. Here comes the pitch and its…