Windows Starter gets new market: Netbooks

For many years now, Microsoft has offered a "starter edition" of Windows aimed at first-time PC buyers in emerging markets. Though low-cost, the starter version has limitations such as only working on low-end processors, smaller screen resolutions and a cap on the number of programs that can run at one time.

Similar restrictions will remain with Windows 7, but Microsoft will allow the operating system to be used in a new way--to power low-cost computers, particularly Netbooks, in developed countries.

Microsoft confirmed its plans for Windows 7 Starter on Tuesday, as part of its announcement that it will offer six different versions of the operating system. Although Windows Starter will be an option for Netbooks, its limitations mean that computer makers will probably also offer models that run Home Premium.

"For (computer makers) that build lower-cost small notebook PCs, Windows 7 Starter will now be available in developed markets," Microsoft Vice President Brad Brooks said in an article posted on Microsoft's Web site. "For the most enhanced, full-functioning Windows experience on small notebook PCs, however, consumers will want to go with Windows 7 Home Premium, which lets you get the most out of your digital media and easily connect with other PCs."

In an interview this week, Senior Vice President Bill Veghte said that Microsoft will place restrictions on the kinds of processors and screen resolutions that will be supported by Windows 7 Starter, but declined to detail the limitations. Windows 7 Starter also won't support features like multitouch or Media Center.

Just the three simultaneous application limit, though, could be enough to push many away from Starter. Three applications may sound like a decent number, until you remember those two instant messaging programs you like to run. Plus, there are all kinds of things that run in the background, such as antivirus software and other programs. Microsoft said that background services running in the system tray don't automatically count against the three program limit, but do count if a user opens up the full program associated with the service.

[bdaughtry]

So, what's the price? Anything more than $49 and it probably won't make it in the netbook market.

[kcotham]

Why not use something like Ubuntu or opensolaris?

[bakedpatato]

I shouldn't feed the trolls...but, its tempting.
Photoshop on the go, for example(GIMP is a poor excuse and Wine don't work with the CSes)
Lite(starcraft) gaming.
etc...
Remember that the lowest end netbooks are using Linux, I suspect this is a play to get that market.

[bdaughtry]

Sure it is. The problem for Microsoft is they are going in the wrong direction. They are cutting features from Win 7 for netbooks, while the Linux distros are getting better all the time. Who was the genius that decided the starter version should only have 3 open applications?

[EdmondDantes]

Wrong direction? In generic PCs, Windows lives on based on a OS monopoly. That's were the application work, that's what people want in their machines. Soon most people will be accessing the web from hand held devices, an environment unfavorable to Windows so far.

Windows needs the the netbook market, MS will give away the starter edition if necessary. That's where they bid for time while they wait for the mobile market to settle. Eventually these hand held devices wiil be powerful enough to host windows and we are back to square one.

[nopinktoday]

@ kcotham
In the past most users returned their netbooks because they had Ubuntu or Opensolaris. Number one reason was because the average user didn't know how to work the darn OS.

@ backedpatato
What's so wrong about GIMP!! ^_^

[kcotham]

@nopinktoday, that's the problem. It started when computers went mainstream, being treat as a utilitarian device like a telephone or washing machine. There are just too many people out there that feel entitled to use a computer without thinking, that really have no business even owning one. To solve this, we need better education. And when these classes are taught, or tutors help out, or whatever, they need to explain in no uncertain terms that Microsoft's way is not the only way, nor is it the best way by default.

Ignorance needs to be stamped out.

[Mr. Dee]

I think this is a mistake, Netbooks are Internet Oriented systems, it does not even support ad-hoc wireless networking and the max 1024 by 768 on a small screen is sure gonna hurt users.

[rbz275]

starter is ONLY FOR EMERGING MARKETS
win7 home basic is too

netbooks in the US or elsewhere will get home premium i assume

[gggg sssss]

You might try reading as far as paragraph 2...........................

[Mr. Dee]

Windows 7 Starter will be available in all countries.

[timber2005]

Yeah, seems there is an exception.
"but Microsoft will allow the operating system to be used in a new way--to power low-cost computers, particularly Netbooks, in **developed** countries. "

[rbz275]

there is a XP Starter and a Vista Starter too

They aren't and never will be available in the US.
The second paragraph still says that starter is a good candidate for netbooks in developing countries.

It makes no sense to offer Starter in the US... three programs? are you kidding me?
Starter was never intended for the usual markets.

So I'm having trouble understanding the point of this article.

While I'm not saying this is fact, I follow the tech community and i am a computer technician.

[Qtechbg]

Starter will only be used by either very young or very noobish users. Everyone else in the emerging markets will go for Linux or use a pirated copy of Home Premium (assuming those ppl won't be able to afford it). Ironically M$ will be "punishing" (or limiting if you prefer) only these two user groups - the most promising (gullible) ones...

[bdaughtry]

""For (computer makers) that build lower-cost small notebook PCs, Windows 7 Starter will now be available in developed markets," Microsoft Vice President Brad Brooks said "

Read the article. "Starter" is being positioned for netbooks in ALL markets. MS is going in the wrong direction not because they have a "starter" version, but because instead of being optimized for netbooks, it'll be crippled for them. Ubuntu keeps getting better & better. Microsoft will not be able to hold it off forever with this strategy.

[gggg sssss]

no matter how much lipstick they put on the linux pig, it will never run MS Word - or Outlook. And as long as that is what people want, linux, in any flavor, is irrelevant.

[flemeister]

Unfortunately you're right here. For the time being at least, I cringe at the huge number of computer users that have never heard of OpenOffice.org or Mozilla Thunderbird. These two programs run happily on both Windows and Linux, and are perfectly functional alternatives to MS Word and Outlook. Not to mention there are other comparable software out there. Microsoft is able to use the ignorance of many (most?) consumers to its advantage.

Linux OSs are viable for getting most of your daily work done, as long as:
1. You don't set your expectations too high (it's free to you after all, and it's *not* Windows)
2. You're not a hardcore gamer
3. You're willing to learn how to tweak and get around your "new" OS (new to people who know nothing but Windows)

[Maccess]

Starter will drive users to shift to Linux on their netbooks. Many "applications" are more than one application running simultaneously, which means users won't be able to surf the web and keep chat clients open. Microsoft should realize the price of OSs has gone down--selling a crippled OS at a lower price is not a solution to a dilemma which calls for selling the main product at a lower price.

[ceebee23]

What are the system requirements for "Starter" ...what sort of disk space does it require? If they are anything like the rest of Vista/Windows 7 family you are looking at 16gb of disk just for the OS! What is the point of running Starter if Home Premium has similar requirements? My el cheapo notebook came with Vista Home Basic... no aero (whooo hoo ..) but it still is a space and memory hog.

Win 7 Starter offers nothing that XP doesn't for netbooks. Microsoft still hasn't got it ....netbooks want an OS that does most things, maybe a bit slower than a full on notebook or desktop but three apps at once ...what sort dumb idea is that?????

[Vegaman_Dan]

I've been doing installations all week on various Netbook brands with Win7 and haven't had any trouble installing Win7 Enterprise, full featured, on Acer Aspire One, Dell Mini, Lenovo S10's and other models using the Atom CPU and between 512Mb and 1Gb of memory. It works very well.

[shellcodes_coder]

This really sucks. Again, why are there so many editions of Windows 7? Linux is free so why does this starer crap edition exists? This edition will def raise hatred for Windows

[Qtechbg]

You sound like there are no gazillion of Linux distros out there and all of them have toll-free phone support, right? The only "crap" about it is the 3 progs limit. I hope M$ will get to their senses some day...

[timber2005]

Because Windows doesn't have a package manager probably. Until then it seems like a good compromise. Most of us know what version we want, others will take whatever. So long as they can check their AOL email and play solidate, they are happy.

[geolemon]

I wonder if opening multiple IE windows counts as a "simultaneous application"?

[bama3]

I think a lot of people are missing a big picture item here. Starter edition is just a low version of Windows 7 that OEM can install. It is up to the OEM to decide what OS to put on the machine. Most Netbooks will most likely contain Home Premuim. this does not limit the functionality of the user.

The hardware on the Netbook will dictate what OS version the OEM decides to put on your Netbook.

Why not Linux, the paying customers have anwered that question with return rates.
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9127259