Windows 7 to come in 'Steve Ballmer' edition
In case you were worried there weren't enough versions of Windows 7, there's one more to add to the collection.
It's the Steve Ballmer "signature edition." Under the hood it's Windows 7 Ultimate, but on the outside it's got a snazzy look plus the autograph of Microsoft's chief executive. It's not unlike what Microsoft did with Vista, though in that case it was Bill Gates adding his John Hancock to the packaging.
Microsoft is giving those who host a Windows 7 house party a Steve Ballmer edition of Windows 7, not unlike this Bill Gates version of Windows Vista Ultimate.
(Credit: Amazon.com)For now, the Ballmer edition is going to those who host one of the Windows 7 house parties.
Microsoft won't say where else, if anywhere, it plans to offer the Ballmer-autographed version. The Gates version of Vista was sold on Amazon, although I later spotted one at CompUSA when it was going out of business.
The Ballmer edition came to light after one Windows enthusiast got their party kit early after complaining to Ballmer that they weren't eligible to participate because of their location. Eventually, they were sent a party kit anyway, including the Ballmer version of Windows.
Windows 7, at least in all its other versions, goes on sale October 22. Stay tuned on whether you will be able to get the Ballmer version.
Update 4:30 p.m PT: Here's a photo of the Ballmer pack, courtesy of Microsoft's M3 Sweatt.
(Credit:
M3 Sweatt)
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina. 
"Developers, developers, developers, developers!"
I mean it is the Ballmer edition, right? Nobody dirties themselves quicker!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXtdOsLVfu4
No, but it -will- throw chairs at random people.
Um... no, I wouldn't. I have my own dirty laundry to wash and certainly wouldn't want someone else's. That's too much like some sort of disgusting sexual fetish. No thanks. I'll leave that up to other people.
Let's just say Microsoft is Pro-Choice and Apple is one-size-fits-all
Anyway, MS is being quite successful in their strategy of getting people to talk about them and mainly Windows 7.
Can be jokes, mocking or positive reviews: everywhere people are talking about Windows 7.
And I would agree people are talking about Win 7, but mainly it's a Vista upgrade or what Vista should have been. I'm sure it will sell, but don't think it will make in roads into the biz community for awhile since the Vista debacle. The company I work for would implement Win 7 only after a 3 year test period, minimum. Vista was a no go period here at work.
@the_mrwhite
Let's just say Microsoft is Pro-Choice and Apple is one-size-fits-all"
Yes, you have the choice between crippled, limping, or too expensive and still not good as OSX
I just think it's stunningly arrogant, no matter who it is.
Something folks are forgetting here is that these signed copies are going out *FREE* to the hosts of the gatherings and cost the consumer nothing.
90% of the Fortune 1000 use Active Directory for a _REASON_. Having the most popular editions of computers available at retail _NOT_ able to talk to business networks is just plain not acceptable.
They should charge $29-$49 to upgrade editions.. Instead of $199.
Though I agree the retail prices are too high, a corporation should be able to choose the retail price.
Doublestandards are where you find them.
"But then those same people will turn around and justify a Mac costing 50-75% more than a comparable PC running WIndows or Linux."
BS. There are no comparable Windows machines because the OS X bundled software is miles ahead of the trail/crap ware that comes on Windows boxes. At best, on a hardware comparison, the windows box might be $150-$200 cheaper, but will have cheaper parts and be bloated with crap no one wants.
Whatever. You can say whatever you wish, but it doesn't change the reality of the situation. Your argument has been debunked numerous times both here on CNET and on the internet in general. I won't bother with going into the details here since anyone who wants to can easily search on either CNET or the internet.
Closed minds will never be open to new concepts... or anything that they don't like to hear.
Deal with it.
It sounds like there is some long time relationships at work in all of your comments. Full disclosure, I switched to Mac 2 years ago. It would take a massive change in windows design philosophy to make me switch back. I am not sure if you have ever used OSX for an extended period of time, but you really should give it a shot. The people I work with typically ask me to resolve any issues they have on their computers. I used to take pride and joy in fixing them, but the longer I have been running OSX, the more irritating it gets to hear things like, "Outlook just crashed on me, can you check it out"? I used to be the one saying, "I'll never switch to Mac, they are just pretty, but nothing else." Now I'm the guy telling everyone else they should just get a Mac and stop dealing with all of these time wasting issues. I will gladly pay a premium to have a Mac and am thankful they put in the extra effort to make their products work great rather than just work.
Do your homework. I can equip an equil quality PC for 200-500 cheaper than a Mac and put 7 Ultimate on it which is a match for Snow Leopard.
Most Windows machines are cheap crap. But then some aren't. Then again when an older Windows Laptop has a noticibly better screen than a Macbook...the Mac may have quality going for it but apparently part of that premium I paid didn't go to the screen on my Mac.
Or is it the ONLY ones?
ROFLMAO - it's as if MS WANTS to get flamed!
I mean, "Fester Signature Edition"?
This is hands-down the funniest SHIZ ever from MS.
OMG.
I have to agree with you on this one. These are akin to Tupperware parties in my opinion. I'm not sure what Microsoft was thinking in hiring this company to do launch parties. It's the wrong sort of market.
http://ricosays.tumblr.com/post/200956909/rico-says-so-i-signed-up-for-this-windows-7
Haven't installed Signature Edition yet (have RC running on one PC at home) but will do it this weekend before my 'party.'
And I think the advantage of getting Signature Edition is ... it's free! All I had to do was sign up to host a party...
I'm laughing out loud in the office, and nobody knows why.
I can't stop.
Chris Rock is the only one that normally gets these kind of cramps from my jaw!
Excellent improvement, THS.
Life. Get one. iLife or Real Life, but you really do need one. :)
You are a technically ignorant MS shill who has no business telling other people to get a life.
"Wow, posting about this today is gonna kill my productivity. So many jokes, so little time. I wonder if it will come in an extra glossy package--extra shiny--like his head." Also, you're severely verbally challenged if you construe this post as 'whiney' --as you so ineptly and uneducatedly-- put it. In most circles it would be construed as a 'joke'--perhaps a concept foreign to you since you seem so uptight about any attacks against MS. And BTW, I am EXTREMELY happy that I switched from that productivity ball-buster, Windows, to a Mac 3 years ago.
I'm a professional in this business supporting and repairing Macintosh, Windows, and Linux systems. Ignorant? Hardly. A life? I have a full one. I don't spend my time here belittling all things Apple as you and THS have dedicated your time to doing. That's just sad and rather lame. Surely you have something better to do?
@The_Happy_Switcher:
I do notice the pattern yes. You post something negative and pointless about Microsoft. I call you out on it. It's an easy cycle to break though. Try posting something *not about Microsoft* for a change and you might find life more pleasant. When you focus all your energy on hatred, that doesn't leave much room left in your life for anything pleasant, does it?
Whiney? Yes, your postings are very whiney and are better suited to a twelve year old than a professional in the IT business. I'm not uptight about jokes, only about jokers without a clue.
Seriously, go look back at your comments. Do you ever post anything objectively or even close to being positive in outlook *ever*? I can't seem to find any. All your comments are derisive, insulting, condescending, and demeaning. Negativity seems to be the standard default behavior here.
And you wonder why you keep getting labeled a troll by readers of CNET?
Remember that respect is earned, not given. Your reputation is what you make if it. If all that people see from your comments is negative, derisive, and open mockery, then it's going to be very hard for anyone to take you seriously on any subject.
Do Apple Fanboy-haters sit around refreshing Cnet all day waiting for articles about Windows and Zunes so they can post up about how all the Apple Fanboys are/will be freaking out about X?
They must, because sometimes these kinds of comments go up before the Apple Fanboys have had a chance to say "Wait, what?"
Aww. Troll!! Troll!!!
Do you realise what a **** you appear to be to any normal person? For f...ks sake. If you take your interest in computers that seriously, you may as well just kill yourself.
Oh no, perhaps I am now a troll!! What a terrible day. Wake up to yourself f..ktards.
I don't feel ripped off by Apple for the latest OS update. I pay the money the companies ask for their product. I'll be buying the RTM Win7 version for my home PC's as well.
Use what works for you.
You are correct, few want a crappy device with a screen that you can't see outdoors or in a lighted room, but sucks more battery power anyway, doesn't really support HD of any kind internally, and has a screen that will not last long.
Very few people are stupid enough to buy that.
"... The Ballmer signature edition will include a unique Market analysis tool. At the tool's foundation is a sophisticated neural network-based computational model that was trained by Mr. Ballmer himself. How it works? The user enters a query in the search field, for example "iPhone" or "Apple stock performance", and a detailed market analysis, including a Steve Ballmer-like market prediction, will be generated.
The tool is extremely accurate* and will be an asset to tech enthusiast and analyst alike. We are proud to bring this unique feature to our beloved customers and hope this will improve your Windows experience.
*accuracy is variable and requires some post-processing of retrieved data. For queries that involve Microsoft's competitors, it is required that you follow the exact opposite advice or outcome. For example, if one enters "will the iPhone succeeded?", the result will be "are you kidding? It's the most expensive phone in the world.... it's not adequate for business". In this specific scenario, it is necessary to click on the handy "Opposite" button in the tool window for an accurate result. Similarly, if your perform an Apple Stock prediction query, you must take the Ballmer prediction and multiply it by Microsoft's current stock price divided by 1.5."
7 is still about 5 years behind OS X and Linux.
I have to agree, the original comment didnt make much sense, but then neither did yours.
Care to try again and stick with the article?
Your smoking crack. Snow Leopard and 7 (Ultimate) are directly comparable. Linux has it's place but it's not caught up for consumer use.
Radically scaled back, yes. Out of business, no.
They still have an online presence, and physical locations in four states and one territory.
- by SteveW928 October 2, 2009 12:54 PM PDT
- LOL
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