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Windows 7 To Come In Multiple Versions

Posted by kdawson on from the win-7-ready dept.

Crazy Taco writes "Tom's Hardware reports on newly discovered screenshots that reveal Microsoft is planning to release their newest version of Windows in multiple confusing versions ... again. The information comes from the latest version of the Windows 7 beta, build 7025 (the public beta is build 7000), and shows a screen during installation that asks the user which version of the OS he or she would like to install. Who's up for guessing what the difference is between Windows 7 'Starter' and Windows 7 'Home Basic?'"

19 of 821 comments (clear)

  1. Survey says.... by TheMidnight · · Score: 5, Funny

    Windows Starter edition comes without the Pipes screensaver?

    1. Re:Survey says.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Windows Starter edition comes without the Pipes screensaver?

      But that's the best feature!

    2. Re:Survey says.... by davester666 · · Score: 5, Funny

      "Starter Edition" just lets you install Windows 7, and when it reboots, it pops up a dialog where you must either shutdown, or type in your credit card information to pay for an upgrade to "Home Basic" edition.

      --
      Sleep your way to a whiter smile...date a dentist!
    3. Re:Survey says.... by beav007 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Windows Starter edition comes without the Pipes screensaver?

      I believe it still comes with the "Tubes" screensaver though.

      To start the "Tubes" screensaver, open the program with an icon that looks like a blue 'e'. Click around to different places for a little while to enable all the features.

      The "Tubes" screensaver takes the appearance of the Windows desktop, getting covered with overlays that flash and blink, show pictures of naked women playing with animals, and games where you get to hit monkeys.

      "Tubes" has been included with Windows since Windows 95.

    4. Re:Survey says.... by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Funny

      I've seen no evidence that Microsoft plans on making Starter a netbook version- that would be a bizzare branding change.

      And that is in what way a change of policy?

      --
      We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
    5. Re:Survey says.... by kybred · · Score: 4, Funny

      No Start button?

    6. Re:Survey says.... by deepershade · · Score: 5, Funny

      Thats only because it's the only feature thats stable.

    7. Re:Survey says.... by NeverVotedBush · · Score: 5, Funny

      If we're basing the naming on what the product is aimed at, how about "Trashcan"?

    8. Re:Survey says.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      For you Google chrome users...

      Point your browser to: about:internets

    9. Re:Survey says.... by BlueStrat · · Score: 4, Funny

      "Starter Edition" just lets you install Windows 7, and when it reboots, it pops up a dialog where you must either shutdown, or type in your credit card information to pay for an upgrade to "Home Basic" edition.

      You know, I'd mod you funny ... but there's the nagging thought in the back of my mind that you're serious.

      I'd be more concerned that the nagging thought of seriousness would be in Microsofts' mind!

      Cheers!

      Strat

      --
      Progressivism (aka US 'Liberalism'): Ideas so good they need a police/surveillance-state to enforce.
  2. Re:The difference by AdamPee · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'll just hold out for Windows Cool Ranch.

  3. Windows 7 Compatible by mazarin5 · · Score: 4, Funny

    All I care about is that my new machine is Windows 7 Compatible!

    </snark>

    --
    Fnord.
  4. Re:Bill Gates 2002 testimony by speedingant · · Score: 5, Funny

    He left.

  5. Re:Whatever by beav007 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Where "OK" obviously means "down $500, and stuck with a bloated 3-legged dog".

  6. Re:Windows 7 non-starter by Colonel+Korn · · Score: 5, Funny

    I, for one, won't be buying it.

    If you want to cut out the middle man but still support your favorite artists, you can always download it from TPB and then donate $15 directly to Microsoft. Or go to one of their concerts and buy a t-shirt.

    --
    "I zero-index my hamsters" - Willtor (147206)
  7. Two Versions by jlindy · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't know what all the flap is about. No matter what distinctions Microsoft will impose it'll boil down to just two versions... Server, and Bot-net!

  8. Clearly it's collectible. by RSKennan · · Score: 4, Funny

    Microsoft is finally getting hip to the Pokemon/Magic card phenomenon- only about 12 years late. Features will be sold in randomized booster packs with commons like "Borked Registry", and rares like "Uptime: all day".

  9. Re:The reality... by im_thatoneguy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Exactly. The only place I've heard about the "Disasterous Confusion" of vista's multiple versions is on Slashdot.

    Who's up for guessing what the difference is between Windows 7 'Starter' and Windows 7 'Home Basic?

    There is another method... it's far more effective than guessing. You could... look at the feature list.

    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/default.aspx

    OMG The confusion!!!

    Let me break it down for ya'all

    Do you need remote desktop?
    Ultimate or Business.

    Do you need Faxes?
    Ultimate or Business.

    Do you need Media Center?
    Home Premium or Ultimate.

    Do you want to burn DVDs and HD-DVDs out of the box?
    Home Premium or Ultimate.

    Do you live in a third world country and have flies on your face?
    Home Basic

    Was that REALLY so difficult?

  10. Re:The reality... by Hal_Porter · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's not missing, it's on a secret mission to the neutral zone.

    --
    echo -e 'global _start\n _start:\n mov eax, 2\n int 80h\n jmp _start' > a.asm; nasm a.asm -f elf; ld a.o -o a;