Windows 7 compatibility sticker, but not for Netbooks?
(Atom Netbooks not included)
(Credit: Microsoft)(Note: please see our updated correction on this story.)
Now here's an oddity: Microsoft's "Windows 7 compatible" sticker that will be affixed to nearly all Windows computers around Windows 7 launch doesn't seem to include current Atom Netbooks.
The reasoning, according to Microsoft's page and an Engadget report, is that these stickers will indicate that the computer in question can run all versions of Windows 7, including 64-bit. Says Mark Relph, Senior Director of the Microsoft Windows Strategy Group: "To be granted the Logo, products are tested to work with all versions of Windows 7 including 64-bit. This is an important change since 64 bit systems are becoming more mainstream." While future Atom processors will be 64-bit capable, current Intel Atom Netbooks with processors such as the Atom N270 can't run 64-bit Windows 7, and are thus off the list for this sticker.
Without a doubt, 64-bit operating systems are the future of mainstream. But to deny any system that can run Windows 7 in a non-64-bit environment a compatibility logo seems like absurdity at best, and a push to make consumers buy more expensive laptops at worst. This could create a scenario where a shopper goes looking for a Netbook, doesn't see a "Windows 7 compatible" sticker, and suddenly gets worried. Fear not, we say.
Microsoft has been in this logjam before with Windows Vista, except back then people were suing because their laptop said "Windows Vista Capable" and yet couldn't run the Aero graphics necessary for certain multimedia software. Microsoft had created a second logo sticker called "Vista Premium Ready" that indicated multimedia-friendliness, but it seemed to be way too confusing for consumers.
Perhaps that's what we're dealing with here as an aftermath: Microsoft being overly cautious not to market full Windows 7 capabilities in a lower-end machine.
Regardless of the reasoning, we're here to tell you that while Intel Atom Netbooks, of which there are many, won't be able to go 64-bit, they can still run Windows 7 just fine. We know, because we've tried. We hope Microsoft puts some kind of Windows 7 label on Netbooks to let people know they won't be stuck in Windows XP-land forever. May we suggest "Windows 7 copacetic?" You can have that one for free, Redmond.
UPDATE: Microsoft has since confirmed that "Windows 7 compatible" is a logo for peripherals only, and not desktops or laptops. Future stickers will address Windows 7 computers. See our updated story.
Scott Stein, a New York Jets fan and CNET senior associate editor, has written about tech, entertainment, video games, and viral culture for outlets including Laptop, Wired, Maxim, Esquire Online, Asylum, and Men's Journal. He also appears on the Digital City podcast. In his spare time, you might see him performing improv in New York City (when he's not being a dad). 
After much searching, I finally decided the netbook that I want - the Eee PC 1005HA (Seashell).
The issue facing me now however is - do I wait for Windows 7 to come on on it (I've read some issues with the battery life) - or do I get my netbook NOW with XP, and get a Windows 7 upgrade later it it turns out those nasty battery life rumors are false??
Advice???
As far as I can tell, there were some report of it having less battery life from XP->7 on a Toshiba, but another article debunks it saying XP was running a Toshiba-installed XP-only power saving utility.
You could wait for the CNET guy to respond, but personally I think the key here is either you could get your default install of Windows 7 + OEM software (like maybe a power saving tool) or you'll get your default install of XP+software, upgrade to 7, and have to go onto the OEM's site to download their 7-compatible tools... I suppose.
If they put "Windows 7 32-bit Compatible" that might confuse customers just as much, whereas the ones who know the difference between 32 and 64 -bit probably know enough to trust their hardware will run the OS without the sticker.
Maybe.
I don't think Microsoft is trying to push users to more expensive hardware as much as they are trying to simply avoid a "Windows Vista Incapable" -type debacle.
After pointing that out, your article is no longer relevant. It can be removed.
/deleteArticle
Or would you rather another Windows Vista compatibility logo? Remember? Where if it could run any (Home Basic) then it got a logo, even if I couldn?t run a Premium version.
If I had it my way, Microsoft would make 2 Version... Windows 7 for 64-bit and Windows 2008 Server 64-Bit. Get rid of all the extra options and confusion... One Client OS, one Server OS... Both 64-Bit and say good buy to the 32-bit OS.
It reminds me of an experience I had at the checkout counter at Ralphs'. I had to show my I.D. to the checkout counter employee when he found I was purchasing Nyquil cold medicine. Another employee who saw this said out loud "That is so stupid!" The checkout dude just shrugged and said it's policy.
I don't blame the guy. With all the media scares surrounding OTC drugs, any grocery chain will take the extra step to avoid any action that would get them itno trouble.
The solution, then, is to not use a sticker.
And they've had to go through several lawsuits to figure this out?
And they're STILL doing it, leading to MORE confusion again?
Windows 7 should work fine on pretty much all current netbooks. I'm impressed Microsoft was able to get Windows 7 to work well on netbooks, while Vista sometimes would stutter.
I can understand Microsoft's problem, but until we have a lot of software that is actually 64-bit, the only advantage is >4GB of RAM recognition by a 64-bit system. Until we get a lot of 64-bit software, I don't see the point in running a 64-bit machine, then running an emulator to handle 32-bit software. I think we're going to see a transition similar to the trusty 80486 when you had a 32-bit CPU, but the majority of the software was still 16-bit.
Remember the lawsuit involving Dell and MS over the "Vista capable" logo? Apparently the two were in the cahoots to get that label on as many machines as possible even though many of those machines would've crapped out while running Aero.
It's turning into a 64-bit world...and it's about damn time. If I were to buy a netbook, I really wouldn't care what OS was on it. It's not like I'm capable of doing much other than web browsing and word processing and to be honest - that's pretty much the same on any OS.
And yes, it's about damn time we switched to 64-bit. AMD64 chips have been around since my second computer purchase ever and we're just beginning to see more software apps that run in that mode.
But on a final note, most netbooks run fine on XP, sometimes better on Win7. Vista with Aero is simply out of question on your typical 1.6ghz netbook. A lot of us would willingly pay $50 for an OS upgrade for the extra features and slight performance boost.
- by Geoff Shepherd October 23, 2009 5:26 PM PDT
- I am concerned only that PC's and laptops come pre-installed with an OS when I go to buy them
- Like this Reply to this comment
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(24 Comments)What I want is freedom of choice,I want to be able to buy a machine with no operating system installed and then I can either put one on myself or get the store to do it for me.If I choose to pay for Windows or Mac that is my choice,if I want a free Linux distribution that also is my choice.No one here in Australia will sell a blank machine at a price minus OS cost and in fact a lot of people here don't even know that there are different OS's are available some of which may be better than our current offerings,it's a total domination of the market which shouldn't be tolerated in a free market economy and has been challenged in the Courts in the US and EU resulting in Microsoft being fined hundreds of millions of $'s.
We here call it the American tax.