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.
hey site layout went back to old style? Great! the new one was way too cluttered!!
I guess everyone will have to learn to type left to right again. I was getting used to my ellipses appearing to the left of my text…
Woohoo!!!
The old site is back. Who the hell belonged to those spooky eyes at the top of the page……
😉
I like the Windows 7 logo though.
Windows 7 seems to be a pretty good OS and hooray for that.
HOWEVER, if M$FT engages in the “31 Flavors” nonsense again – or cripples the OS for certain classes of users, it’ll go the way of Vista.
Somebody at that company needs to take back control from the marketers!
I’m moving to linux before I move to windows 7.
Nice to have the old style back. The new ones link for comments was kinda weirdly placed.
If people can get XP for netbooks still – then indeed this plan is never going to fly. But if the choice is linux/crippled version of windows, many people will go windows probably. It is providing yet another reason to push people away from windows tho. MS is indeed in a strange place when its new operating system is effectively a downgrade.
M$ once again proving they just don’t get it.
The strategy that MS had with Vista and now with 7 just astonishes me as to how out of touch they truly are. Seriously !?!
I guess this means that XP will be even more boot legged than it already is today.
I think Microsoft knows what it is doing … people ARE dumb enough to buy their crippled crap.
Old habits are comforting. You will just have to have two sites open simultaneously if you wish to change.
The new photo was great. Do a little at a time.
You tried to change like Microsoft does and it does not work. Minor updates at no cost is the best.
And for the minor additional cost of $497USD we will throw in a memory management unit so the OS can access RAM beyond the 768K limit.
This just blows my mind. I don’t work in the tech field, but I use my computer all day long and need a stable operating system where I can have at least 4 programs open all of the time. I have been using XP Pro for many years and find it acceptable but am seriously considering switching to a Mac for my next computer and then using their operating system.
A crippled OS isn’t too bad if it brings security benefits. I haven’t seen any good net appliances lately.
With Vista “Starter Edition” was the ultra-low-cost version for specialized hardware in “developing” markets. Why they would think this version would be acceptable in the civilized world is beyond me. Vista’s versions were annoying (although admittedly better than all the specialized versions of XP), but this is just retarded.
That being said, I don’t really care. I build my own desktops and if I do buy a laptop/netbook with 7 I’m going to do a clean install of Home Premium anyway.
The ‘only 3 processes/programs running at a time’ rule isn’t as strict as one may think. Previous podcasts by Paul Thurrot (sp?) mention having multiple IE windows open along with certain other programs. On a netbook (which is already limited by memory, etc.) it isn’t such a big deal.
Is it just a coincidence that the new logo has a biohazard symbol embedded in it? … nah.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Biohazard.svg
But you can buy a Windows laptop for under $1000!
Why would anyone want one of those silly Macs …
#16 I’m sure that’s just Eideard having some fun.
BTW, I hope MS does this, just so that Apple has a good reason to make an open release of Snow Leopard after Job’s kicks the bucket.
Li, unfortunately I didn’t notice the joke right away… the biohazard logo looks like it belongs there. Nice design, if it weren’t a biohazard symbol…. so, what the hell, I posted it any way……. coffee…… where’s my coffee….
3 program limit? Good finding ANY windows based computer that uses three or fewer programs at once. Even at startup
Even though I have a Mac, I do have to use ”other computer OS’s” from time to time.
Mr. Gates, Bill, don’t do this to us! We need you back at work occasionally. The whole UI of windows needs to be upgraded also.
Can a company get anymore disconnected?! I guess when you dominate completely there’s no need to compete, except with yourself of course. If they were smart they’d poll their clients to find out what they want instead of just trying to sell the WOW factor. If you ask me they should finish XP 64 as a product, make it work with the latest directX, and don’t add anything to security or clever ways to waste cycles on a pretty presentation. I’d actually pay for that.
Ubuntu here I come.
Jeez, will M$ 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.