Why is Microsoft even offering Windows 7 Ultimate?

Through July 11, Microsoft is offering steep discounts on Windows 7 upgrades for the Home and Pro versions of the software--but not Windows 7 Ultimate.

Windows 7 Professional: What you really need.

(Credit: Microsoft)

According to a CNET report, users can "preorder Windows 7 Home Premium or Professional at roughly half the list price, but the Ultimate version is offered at the full $219 price."

Those who currently use Windows Vista Ultimate and were hoping to switch to Windows 7 Ultimate were understandably upset. After getting little more than a few extras with Vista Ultimate, like Microsoft's BitLocker Drive Encryption software, they were hoping they'd be treated better this time around when they opted for Windows 7 Ultimate.

No such luck.

But instead of railing against Microsoft for treating its Windows Vista Ultimate customers so poorly, perhaps we should turn our focus to Windows 7 Ultimate itself. It might be the follow-up to Windows Vista Ultimate. Microsoft might have thrown every feature into it. But if we take an objective look at what it really offers, I don't think Microsoft can justify its existence as a consumer operating system.

According to Microsoft's Windows 7 Web page, Windows 7 Ultimate edition sports just two features that you won't find in Windows 7 Professional: a full language pack, which includes support for 35 languages, and the company's BitLocker software. A press release Microsoft sent to journalists in February lists BranchCache and DirectAccess support, as well.

It's silly. BitLocker was included in Windows Vista Ultimate. I'm willing to bet that if you asked most Windows Vista Ultimate users how often they use BitLocker, they'll wonder what you're talking about.

Although it's nice to see Microsoft supporting multiple languages for those more comfortable computing in their first language, a relatively small subset of the market will actually want such a feature. For many, it's a waste. And since both BranchCache and DirectAccess are designed specifically for enterprise users, consumers won't have any reason to use those tools either.

Why did Microsoft even consider releasing Windows 7 Ultimate? It's not only more expensive than Windows 7 Professional, which sports all the features most folks would need anyway, but its add-ons are, once again, inconsequential.

For its part, Microsoft is saying that Windows 7 Ultimate isn't for everyone. Windows General Manager Mike Ybarra said in an interview with Microsoft PressPass, the company's PR arm, that Windows 7 Ultimate is for the "enthusiast."

"There is a small set of customers who want everything Windows 7 has to offer," Ybarra said. "So, we will continue to have Windows 7 Ultimate edition to meet that specialized need.

"Windows 7 Ultimate edition is designed for PC enthusiasts who 'want it all' and customers who want the security features such as BitLocker found in Windows 7 Enterprise edition."

Although I haven't seen Microsoft's customer research, I have a hard time believing the PC enthusiast will look at Windows 7 Ultimate as the go-to version. PC enthusiasts are generally experts with a high-level of computing knowledge. Why would they pick an overpriced OS edition whose features can't justify its price?

Quite the contrary, Windows 7 Ultimate edition looks like a sucker's bet. Folks who go to the store with little knowledge about software will be left wondering why they shouldn't just spend an additional $20 for Windows 7 Ultimate when, judging by the name, it must be better than Professional. (Boxed copies of Windows 7, available in October, will cost $119 for Home Premium, $199 for Professional, and $219 for Ultimate.)

Windows 7 Ultimate is really only Windows 7 Enterprise by another name. It offers nothing compelling that would make home or even small business users want to buy it. And yet, Microsoft is still selling it at full price.

Once again, Microsoft has damaged the "Ultimate" moniker. Maybe it's best if it fades away before Microsoft ostracizes even more customers.

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[mikehill33]

FAIL for multiple versions. Still.

[catchall]

Why? MS doesn't have the luxury of screwing over its users on hardware like Apple does, so they are using a very standard sales model; the more you pay, the more features you get.
This is the same with almost all software. From Photoshop Elements ->Photoshop or FinalCut light -> Finalcut pro.

Ultimate is kind of an odd-ball and most likely shouldn't have been offered, the Home/Pro versioning benefits the end user by only paying for what you would normally use.

[kelmon]

@catchall

Do you not remember the days when Windows came in just 1 version for a single reasonable price? Wasn't that great? I really don't understand anyone who remembers that who now argues that multiple versions is "a good idea". Multiple versions suck, always have done and always will do.

[kelmon]

@catchall

Do you not remember the days when Windows came in just 1 version for a single reasonable price? Wasn't that great? I really don't understand anyone who remembers that who now argues that multiple versions is "a good idea". Multiple versions suck, always have done and always will do.

[qwerty-berty]

@catchall Wrong, the number of editions offered by Microsoft is insane compared to other software manufactures. What's worse some of these editions have _nothing_ to do with features, they are invented by the marketing department to quash linux in emerging markets. Since you brought it up lets take a look at some product lines:

Apple: Leopard consumer, Leopard server

Adobe: Photoshop Elements, Photoshop

Microsoft: Vista Starter edition, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, Windows Vista Ultimate

BTW, not sure what Apple have to do with this story (troll?) but in case you hadn't noticed Microsoft is also a rather large hardware company - see if you can guess which hardware they make.

[ÆL]

I am going to say right now I feel much better with TrueCryting my drive rather than relying on BitLocker for drive encryption. Just reading the documentation for TrueCrypt they seem to have the best understanding of encryption I have ever seen. (How many times do you have Microsoft Recommend you use a 20+ AlphaNumeric password?)

[monkeyfun14]

@qwerty


Different levels for different needs. If your going to get confused over that then you need to stay off the computer.

[qwerty-berty]

@monkeyfud

Do you really need to be such a fanboi about your favorite OS? I just happen to think the windows product lines could do with a little pruning. Sincere apologies that I have a different opinion than you.

[slapppy]

Yes. FAIL! Why even have multiple versions of this junk? Make two versions. Thats it. There is no reason to make 5 or 7 version of this POS.

[alegr]

@kelmon,

Yes, and that Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 cost was the same as Vista or Windows 7 (maybe even more if yyou factor the inflation in), while being much much less powerful.

[d--keller]

@qwerty What hardware does MS make? Zune, Xbox, and... ? They're a software company. That's pretty much it.

I agree with Don, they might as well do away with Ultimate because there isn't anything compelling in it. That said is it bad to have choices at different price points? Should all Honda Civics come completely loaded? Maybe they should be completely stripped down and if you want power windows you should go buy an Accord? Should they get rid of all moon roofs because they're a money making add on that I don't particularly care for? Now doesn't that sound silly?

[iptofar]

In so many ways, microsofties are like crack addicts. No matter how much their dealer cheats them or steals their money, they always come back for more.

I bet you could label a version Windows 7+ Ultimate Gold Platinum Edition and charge another 20.

[hockeymass]

I don't see how getting Windows 7 for 50 bucks is being cheated.

Snow Leopard is like XP SP1, except for 30 bucks.

[celticbrewer]

Sounds like Apple users. Or are the loyal masses not going to buy the new 3Gs for a minor speed increase? Are they not going to re-buy their itouches so they can have an embedded junky $10 camera?

If people buy Ultimate without knowing what they're getting for it, then they deserve to be screwed over. Most people have a clue, recognize that they don't need bitlocker and language packs, and won't buy it. There are easy to read charts online, and probably on the back of the retail box.

[kelmon]

@celticbrewer

You make the assumption that buyers of the 3GS and unannounced iPod Touch (you do realise that you are quoting specifications based on rumour, yes?) are existing owners of the previous model and I'm honestly not convinced that is true. I'm buying a 3GS but that's because my current phone comes from an age when dinosaurs ruled the earth and I certainly don't buy replacements for devices each time there is a refresh.

[bilestode]

Windows 7 is just Vista SP3 with a different name. (Think Mojave....) I think MS has once again "borrowed" somebody else's idea and is now offering incremental releases of an OS and calling it something different each time, which is what Apple does...

[Renegade Knight]

You describe Mac Fanatics to a T. Never met someone so sold on Windows though.

[monkeyfun14]

@bilesode

And what the hell is Snow Leopard.

**** theres not one feature in it that benefits the average user.

[ckh1272]

"by monkeyfun14 July 7, 2009 7:36 AM PDT
@bilesode

And what the hell is Snow Leopard.

**** theres not one feature in it that benefits the average user."

@monkeyfun14--If you don't know what SL will do for the average user, then maybe you should stay off the computer, or at least stop talking about things you know nothing about.

[Dezert_Rat]

@bilestode: "Windows 7 is just Vista SP3 with a different name. (Think Mojave....) "

Hardly. There is a lot of stuff that works far better in 7 than in that abortion of an OS, Vista. I've been running Vista for over a year, and Win 7 for about 6 mos now, on duplicate hardware. The Vista is doggedly awful slow, While Win 7 just continues to cruise. 7 is FAR superior in its housekeeping tasks, and you won't find a bloated winsxs folder there, at least not the size of in Vista.

[d--keller]

Lol! I don't think there are too many true MS fanboys out there. Doesn't everyone hate them at least a little bit?

There ARE Apple fanboys however, and I'm pretty sure you are one of them.

[Renegade Knight]

You are backwards. Macfanatics are like clueless addicts. "Mac is better" is the mantra no matter what. They can't even admit the problem.

Most windows folks I know roll their eyes at the windows problems they have. Much better grounding in reality.

Just so you know, I juse all 3. Windows, Linux, and OS X.

[Richard4RollTide]

Eh, my guess is they hope to swindle a few unsuspecting customers who hear "Ultimate" and think they're getting way more than anyone else. Let's face it, not everyone is computer savvy.

[Random_Walk]

Pretty much...

BitLocker? Nah - get TrueCrypt; it actually works on all platforms, and one can even hide a partition within a partition. Language Support? Okay... but why charge for that? Linux and OSX already come with it, but the number of people who want more than one language on their individual computer's GUI is pretty tiny, and certainly not enough to justify a whole product line.

[Seaspray0]

@Random_Walk. You make a very compelling argument when you describe the features of what it does. With posts like these, you have become respectable in my book.

[rapier1]

The only reasons to get Ultimate are if BranchCache and DirectAccess are worth it to you. The only way this would be worth it to you is if you are a corporate buyer. I don't believe you'll see many boxes of Ultimate on retail shelves. Its just not the target audience.

[Random_Walk]

Funny thing is, I often post both pro and con, depending on the subject. ;)

re: "The only way this would be worth it to you is if you are a corporate buyer"

Not seeing how either DirectAccess or BranchCache would benefit a corporate environment...

[DrtyDogg]

If you don't see how a corporate environment can benifit from DirectAccess and/or BranchCache, then that says a lot about you.

[Random_Walk]

@Dogg:

ad-hominem like that simply means you have no argument (else you would have at least provided examples), and have to resort to the playground.

[nachostan]

Why wouldn't they offer it? Shouldn't they offer those features to users that don't have a volume license agreement? Or are you suggesting they sell Enterprise in a retail form instead of just having it available to volume customers?

[ZetaZeta_]

Maybe instead of offering features packed with Ultimate, they could cut Ultimate entirely and offer "Microsoft BitLocker" etc. in their own box/download?

[JRKhoury]

Vista Ultimate represents a prestige OS though I dunno why you would want to show it off. From what is known it will be offered in limited quantities as opposed to Win7 HP and Win7 Pro which will be offered for full retail. I know I'm getting Win7 Pro for sure.

[Chris_Allan_King]

Great Topic and excellent points about this intense price war. Any Pro or Ultimate versions are always going to be more efficient than a Home version. Ultimate and Pro version should be exclusively used by businesses or power users. They don't include third-party contract software with hardware ties. The sole reason I use Windows 7 Ultimate is I got it for FREE. I'm not bragging, I am just saying that's the only reason. As far as feature, couldn't care less. I care about how efficient your comps run with the OS. I was skeptical at first but it is a good OS. Runs SUPER smooth with all the shadows, transparency, and other stupid stuff that i turned off in Vista Ultimate, but runs better in 7 on a 5-year-old Sony (Specs at Bottom). I want to share my experience with Vista Basic, Home, Premium & Ultimate. As an Information Systems Manager and an IT "dude" I had luck getting my hands on many versions. First XP PRO, there is not a more sharp and solid OS for the basic user and it comes with just the OS, no BS third party crapola. That holds true for Vista Ultimate (Pro) too. I recently fixed a bogged down Dell XPS laptop with Vista Basic on it. The problem was it was "too slow." I basically found out that the OS was a pile of junk. There were about 60 processes running at Idle after start-up (Compare that to 30 Max with XP PRO) I understand that Vista machines require more RAM. With 4 GB of RAM that XPS was still having problems. I installed Ultimate Vista on the same machine. Night to Day difference. There were still about 60 processes running but way more efficient for some reason. I currently run Window 7 Ultimate and couldn't be happier. Runs faster than my XP Pro ever did. (When i mean faster I believe the RAM is allocated very efficiently with the priority of processes) Firefox is blistering when it opens, runs Flight Sim X a lot better. (compared to XP Pro OS) Also, the comp I am currently running 7 Ultimate and ran Vista Ultimate is: 5 year old Sony VAIO; 1.75 GB RAM, 3 GHz HT P4, GeForce 7600 AGP 512MB (pile of crap AGP) If cost is not an issue get 7 Ultimate. I would recommend XP PRO always for all PC users. Right click on MY COMPUTER, properties, advanced, performance, "adjust for best performance" APPLY. This easy little fix can loosen up your comp. Also de-DUST your comp esp if it never has been done!!!

[Sausagebiscuit]

Dude, enter key?

[Tedders85]

oh SNAP

[Mr. Dee]

Well, it also includes features such as UNIX Subsystem, cheaper than purchasing a volume license contract for SMBs that want the Enterprise features. I do agree though that the need for Ultimate with Windows 7 is not really apparent anymore. 7 Pro includes most of what any power/enthusiast user needs. Personally, I am going for Home Premium since it provides the fundamentals of what makes Windows 7 great. Aero Desktop effects, enhanced search, Libraries, HomeGroup, Media Player Play To and a lot more.

[Random_Walk]

"Well, it also includes features such as UNIX Subsystem"

Heh - OSX and Linux have that standard ;)

Besides - cygwin is free for the download and actually gives one a bash prompt.

[Seaspray0]

The major differences between the home and pro version... pro offers the ability to join a domain, can be accessed by remote desktop, and allows you to use the microsoft management console with it's numerous pluggins, as well as better access to setting file/folder permissions. Most people do not need pro functionality and will do just fine with the home version (if you've never heard of the MMC, that would be you).

[Gonzie]

OMG BitLocker is the only unique feature in ultimate?! what a joke

you are getting ripped off people, do your research

[Renegade Knight]

It's the only feature I got Ultimate for in Vista. It works well. Ironicly other things don't but I do like bitlocker.

[Random_Walk]

@RK: You do know you could've downloaded TrueCrypt for free, right?

[Lerianis3]

TrueCrypt is not for all people, Random_Walk, and I don't trust a software that ADMITS that if you lose/forget your password, you will lose all access to your files.

[Random_Walk]

"I don't trust a software that ADMITS that if you lose/forget your password, you will lose all access to your files."

May want to check the documentation for Windows' own in-OS native encryption, then... if you lose the password to an encrypted file, directory, or partition, you cannot recover it; Microsoft's own documentation says as much.

[viper396]

It would be completely self-defeating if either TrueCrypt or Bitlocker or any similiar security product provided a backdoor in the event of a lost password. Security is the concern and if you cannot be resposible enough to remember your own password you have no one to blame but yourself.

I can't believe you wrote that entire article without one mention of a BIG difference between Windows 7 Professional (or Enterprise) and Ultimate: Windows Media Center.

[Sausagebiscuit]

According to this chart: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions#Comparison_chart Windows Media Center is included in all versions starting from Home Premium upwards.

[patri0tz]

According to this, Windows 7 Pro includes Media Center.

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_skus_compare.asp

[Arrow_Raider]

That is the major difference between vista business and vista ultimate, but on windows 7, professional will include windows media center.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions#Comparison_chart

Windows 7 Professional includes the media center features. All features of Home Premium are included in Professional. See: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/compare-editions

This is a change from Vista Business, where these entertainment features were left out of the 'business' editions. So, if you were planning to get Ultimate just because it gave you Windows Media Center along with remote desktop, you can save your money.

[kelmon]

Yes. I still remember the good ol' days when Windows came in a single version for a reasonable price....

[Sausagebiscuit]

I guess everyone's idea of a reasonable price varies.

[monkeyfun14]

I remember the good old days when Macs came out at a reasonable price too..


Oh wait..

[ckh1272]

monkeyfun14--Is that really the best that you can do when someone tries to point out a flaw with your precious Microsoft??

[deSilentio]

When was that? WIndows 3.11? Nope. They offered Windows NT during that time.

Perhaps you mean Windows 95? Nope. Again, Windows NT was offered. And ever subsequent version of Windows had a at least a business version offered along side a home version. Perhaps they had different names, but were still offered at the same time.

Oh, you must mean Windows 2.0, when MS was giving Windows away for free. Those were the days, for sure.

[Charleston Charge]

Actually that's not really true. For years there was the split of NT and DOS where NT was aimed at business and DOS was the consumer line. Even before that you had Windows for Workgroups. Eventually they merged to NT and you had your home and business/pro versions. For the most part with 7 you will have Home Premium or Pro.

[myles taylor]

Monkeyfun, is the only way you can defend Microsoft by bashing other companies?

[ZetaZeta_]

I remember the good old days when people used logic.

[Seaspray0]

@kelmon. Windows 3.1 for home, Windows for workgroups 3.11 for business. Windows 95/98 for home, Windows NT for business. Windows ME for home, Windows 2000 for business. XP home, XP Pro. From the beginning, there has been more than one offering.

[pithenumber]

@people who hate monkeyfun for bashing Apple
pot calling kettle black?

most of you are Apple fanbois, right?

[kelmon]

Windows 2000 was offered in a single version - what was wrong with that?

Anyone arguing that multiple versions of Windows is somehow a "good thing" have clearly lost the plot. A single version of the OS is all that is necessary and Microsoft can control its income simply through the cost of licenses (private retail sales, businesses and OEMs).

[qwerty-berty]

@catchall Wrong, the number of editions offered by Microsoft is insane compared to other software manufactures. What's worse some of these editions have _nothing_ to do with features, they are invented by the marketing department to quash linux in emerging markets. Since you brought it up lets take a look at some product lines:

Apple: Leopard consumer, Leopard server

Adobe: Photoshop Elements, Photoshop

Microsoft: Vista Starter edition, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, Windows Vista Ultimate

BTW, not sure what Apple have to do with this story (troll?) but in case you hadn't noticed Microsoft is also a rather large hardware company - see if you can guess which hardware they make.

[nachostan]

Pro and Enterprise both include Media Center.

Also, here are the actual items included in Ultimate that aren't in pro:
AppLocker
BitLocker Drive Encryption
BranchCache Distributed Cache
DirectAccess
Subsystem for Unix-based Applications
Multilingual User Interface Pack
Virtual Hard Disk Booting

there are several more items that aren't included in Home Premium, here is a full list:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions

Seems that there are actually several features that Ultimate has over Home Premium, and a few over Pro. Not sure who needs them, but why not charge extra?

[shellcodes_coder]

The author needs to read your post properly...

[Renegade Knight]

I wonder if the Unix subsystem would let me run Linux apps.

[Random_Walk]

@RK: Nope. Services For UNIX did to an extent (and with a lot of work), but it's not compatible with Vista (or presumably 7).

You can however get cygwin, download it, and run a fair number of Linux apps.

(...the rest of that feature list? Pretty useless since there are either free (and better) apps that do the same thing even on Windows, or are pretty worthless for the vast majority of user (e.g. multi-language UI support).)

[michael_a_m_davies_dotmac]

Although Microsoft may be targeting über-geeks, there?s a better reason for an extreme version ? extreme aversion. This extreme version will not just make a few über-geeks feel good, if they don?t think they?re being ripped off, but more importantly it will make those of us who don?t buy it feel better.

http://blog.endeavourpartners.net/2009/07/07/why-offer-an-extreme-version-because-of-extreme-aversion/

[gfritts451]

It's the usual "good, better, best" marketing ploy....it's not that they expect or need people to buy the "Ultimate" version, but it increases the likelihood they'll choose "Professional" over "Home" by adding the higher priced option.

Check out Dan Ariel's book "Predictably Irrational", chapter 2 no relativity for more examples...

[queticomn]

Why only offer windowsXP mode on windows7 professional. Why not offer that feature on all windows7 versions? Thats the same as asking someone who has already purchased a windowsXP license in the past to pay for windowsXP twice and i call that fraud.

Now thats Hog Wash.

Stuff it M$.

Go Linux.

[Seaspray0]

Because the average consumer doesn't need it. the vast majority of programs written for XP will work on windows 7. They are offering it to business users on the off chance a corporation has written a custom app that doesn't. Chances are, you can't even name one program that gets broken by windows 7 without looking it up. You've made it clear you hate microsoft by your M$ and go linux. Can't find anything better to do than complain about a feature that's not offered in the home version that you'll never even buy anyway? Stuff your own hogwash.

[Inconnux]

one program? this program won't work under Vista, but it works fine under XP.

Encyclopedia of opening blunders - Convekta software

so as a home user XP program compatibility is a major plus

[Randall Lind]

Bitlocker sound so cool but guess what my laptop and desktop computer does support it so what a waste. I think Microsoft should just sell Professional like they did with XP and bitlocker etc could be sold on a MS Plus CD or as a download.

[Random_Walk]

Try TrueCrypt - free for the download and it's very likely that your hardware supports it easily.

[lazycat202]

@ramdon:
you work for TrueCrypt? :) you've many adult movies to hide? you've CIA files that need to be encrypt? gosh!! Normal users don't need it.

[nachostan]

@qwerty-berty, but neither apple, nor adobe cater to the same markets Microsoft does.

If you are enterprise IT worker then there are things you need that home users don't. Apple doesn't understand that, or they don't care. If you look at some of Adobe's other products like Acrobat they have some more editions, and they have several versions of various enterprise products with varied feature sets.

Many other enterprise vendors just sell the features, so you buy the base product, and then you shell out additional cash for the features you need.

[qwerty-berty]

Hi nachostan, yes the Adobe example was unfortunate since I think they also offer a bewildering variety of options. And Microsoft do have greater penetration in the enterprise than Apple, but if you restrict to just the consumer editions then Microsoft offer three versions of windows whereas Apple offer just the one.

Yes Apple definitely nickel and dime the customer, but it is at least more understandable to the consumer don't you think? Eg iLife, iWork and incremental upgrades to the OS. Not sure what's happening to quicktime though.

[ckh1272]

Here's the thing that a lot of people seem to ignore. All companies find ways to nickel and dime people!! It's called commerce and our obsession with the material things. Of course, some people would call it business as usual.

[Random_Walk]

"If you are enterprise IT worker then there are things you need that home users don't."

SAN-breaking bloat? Spaghetti code that we'll all be forced to support until the end of time? A crap email server that stores everything in an opaque and easily-corrupted database? Ooh! Ooh! I know... Active(*cough*LDAP*cough*)Directory!

Dude, seriously... there has got to be a better way than simply writing huge PO's to Microsoft and praying that you can get tested and patched up before your network gets bit by zero-day malware each month...

Oh, wait - there already is. Requires the Em-See-Ess-Eee's to actually know a little something about UNIX first, but...

Cheers!

[Seaspray0]

@Random_Walk. There is a better way. But linux/unix isn't it, and it hasn't been invented yet. And yes, I do know something about linux.

[pithenumber]

@Random
Mac OS isn't ready for enterprise yet

[mundo01]

I think that the wrong topic is being discussed. The real question is why buy Windows 7? Is it another well dressed dog like Vista? Forgot about the different flavors of Windows 7. Lets discuss whether or not it is an improvement, not difficult to do, over Vista. I am so frustated with my Vista machines I hardly use them, as I hate to sit around and watch the "busy" icon spin around. Vista is such a counter productive operating system that Microsoft should be providing, free of charge, all Vista customers an upgrade. The fact that one of the most popular net hardware devices, Netbooks, run XP should be a strong signal to the folks in Redmond that "Houston we have a problem."

[Random_Walk]

In all fairness, if you're stuck with a choice between Vista and Windows 7, Windows 7 is actually the better of the two.

Now on the consumer side? OSX is the way to go - or Linux if you want to keep your existing PC.

[sillygoosen]

And there's plenty of people that haven't really had problems with it at all like me. Windows 7:Vista :: XP:ME. At least that's what it seems like to me.

[Random_Walk]

Just from what I've had to do in testing, I've found that between Vista and 7, 7 wins hands down. The reason why includes faster boot times, relatively sane memory management (unlike Vista anyway), and the ability to transfer files without having to wait 40 years for it to complete.

OTOH, there are still a few bugs in 7 that need working out (e.g. transferring more than ~10-15GB of data between two USB hard disks... works fine on XP or on any other OS, but Vista locks up while 7 quietly chokes on it and cancels the process). I'm willing to give that a pass for now (at least until RTM, at which point I will point and laugh mercilessly...)

[Sausagebiscuit]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7_editions#Comparison_chart

Detailed chart showing what each version offers.

[Idyot]

I have 2 Vista Home Premium PCs and 1 Vista Ultimate PC. I pre-ordered 2 copies of Windows 7 Home Premium for $49.99 USD. I will not be upgrading the Utlimate PC - for the time being.

IMO, I would have liked Microsoft to have acknowledged the $290 USD that I spent for a retail copy of Vista Ultimate by offering Vista Ultimate owners a special pre-order price of $49.99 for Windows 7 Professional.

If Microsoft had done so, I would have downgraded my Vista Ultimate to Windows 7 Professional without a second thought - but I won't do it if I have to pay $99.99 for a downgrade.