I’m starting to get enthused about Windows 7. Not so excited that I would stand in a line overnight to be the first to own a copy, mind, but I may actually be putting a PC back in the running for my next computer. One thing I am not so thrilled about is the six different versions to choose between.
Come on, guys. Mac has it right – one version of the OS for desktop use, another for server configurations. Do you really need a separate version for:
- Netbooks (essentially, a stripped-down driver-free version that can fit on solid state flash drives)
- Home “basic” Version (for emerging markets where piracy is a problem – do people seriously pay for these crippled versions when they can steal the full thing for nothing?)
- Home Premium (by all accounts nothing is “premium” about this version, it’s just the standard consumer-level version)
- Professional (meaning what, exactly?)
- Enterprise (for offices – the difference between this any professional has to do with site licensing)
- Ultimate (includes all the above)
I charge that the “Ultimate” version should be the “Only” version. Microsoft should quit playing games and obfuscating its software licenses – just sell the product; don’t make customers research all of the possible variations on features and functionality.
Tags: efficiency, software, Windows 7