Comments on: Why is Microsoft even offering Windows 7 Ultimate?

Before the company upsets even more people, should Microsoft ditch Windows 7 Ultimate?

[queticomn]

Imo, M$ is also abusing their monopoly status in the p/c operating system industry using Economies of scale to leverage more cash out of their customers pocket book.

[mooseontheloose89]

Isn't 7 Ultimate the only one that offers Windows Media Center and the Windows XP virtualization in the same package?

[shellcodes_coder]

Pro does that too

[vadik78]

I am comfortable with WinXP, however there are some features I am looking forward too. One of such features is applocker, which is only available in enterprise and ultimate. Since home users cannot purchase enterprise version, the ultimate edition is the only way to get that feature.

P.S. I would upgrade to Windows 7 if home edition included both applocker and local security policy (group policy). Ultimate is just too expensive... so no upgrade for me

[razipix]

"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." Thats not MS's fault.

[FF2009]

the majority of Windows users wont know the difference between versions. There for they will spend $200 plus on Ultimate version every time MS releases the same OS every 2 years.

Do yourself a favor and install Ubuntu Linux and be done with getting riped off.

[queticomn]

or SuSE, Fedora, Debian, Slackware, (ubuntu is for yuppies and is a total Dibian rip). Theres also the BSD's to choose from, freeBSD an so forth. openSOLARIS is also very fun. All of these are free, and easy to install.

[sillygoosen]

Granted the 'ultimate' may be misleading... the fact that it's only $20 more isn't bad if you really want bitlocker or if there are other features we don't know about.

[Dalkorian]

There is no reason whatsoever to coddle the in-house slaves who never even look at the door. You only have to coddle the yard slaves who can see the wall and front gate.

[pentest]

Why?

Because MS knows there are enough morons that will pay any price MS sets for their junkware!

[abcd9009]

I believe Microsoft is smart. There are some stupid people who don't really spend the time researching or comparing and just have way too much money to waste. Windows 7 Ultimate is for those people.
Granted there are only 1% (or maybe even less than 1%) of Windows users who would use 7 Ultimate... think of it from a revenue perspective. It's not like 7 Ultimate is a completely different OS. So from the development point of view, MS developers didn't really spend that much extra time on it. It's just a few cool things here and there which I am sure they must have developed during their spare time.
Microsoft is tapping that less than 1% who are willing to pay more who otherwise would have only paid the normal price for Home Premium. That's extra revenue for doing nothing!

[malu05]

I think its interesting with the Laptop hunters ad campain, and the new strategy with providing a new OS every 3-4 years, and the price for the upgrades. I think apple is going to live large on the fact that their OS in "Ultimate" edition can be upgraded for just 29$ a stunning 191$ less than what Windows user have to pay and then like the laptop hunters ad show that they can purchase a iPod touch + OSX Snow Leopard of the same price as Windows Ultimate.

[slumbergod]

I think microsoft have just lost the plot. I am sure Vista was an ugly mess for most people. It certainly contributed to my switch away from windows!

There don't need to be so many versions. They shouldn't be so expensive. In fact, if microsoft really wanted to win favour back they should be offering (almost) free upgrades from Vista to Windows 7. But no, they have shown time and time again that they are incapable of evolving.

The best thing they have done is help show people that if they are not happy there are alternatives.

[kewell82]

Steve Jobs should start a religion. I mean look at all the followers he already has on this site. He is a man people! He can't save you from your sins. So I'll see you all in hell.........from heaven because I don't worship Steve Jobs.

[kelmon]

No more drugs for this man/woman (delete as applicable).

[GlennAllen]

True, Win7 is to some degree a continuation of Windows Vista--over-priced & over-hyped while being somewhat "better" from the get-go, but I stopped caring so long ago. I expect my next new machine to have Win7 Pro on it, which I will diligently and dutifully authorize/activate, update, and backup... before I install Ubuntu and use the machine for the purpose for which I got it: read & write files and run apps. Maybe I'll re-install Win7 in a VirtualBox or somethin' (because Excel is useful and Calc isn't).

Why "Ultimate"? Just a guess, mind you, but the phrase "ultimate cash cow" comes immediately to mind.

[dw6800]

I'm running RC1 on a Dell Precision 370 and i'm beyond impressed with this OS. As someone who's been critical of MS Windows, I'm really please with the stability of Windows 7. I use a data backup service from remotebackuppros.com, just in case, but have not needed to restore any files due to OS crashes.

[doelcm82]

@ulrich2
Beyond the choice of model there are many optional choices to make when buying an Apple computer. But it's nothing compared to the staggering array of models from various manufacturers that you have to wade through when buying a Windows PC. If you have trouble making your way through the Apple maze, you'll be positively stumped by the labyrinth of PC options.

[bigbwai2000]

Great article. And, David Coursey agrees with you. http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/blogs/stub/167974/windows_7_ultimate_edition_not_so_ultimate.html

[aka_tripleB]

I for one am thinking about a TechNET subscription. I can get a few licenses of Windows 7 Ultimate and other programs. I'll probably go for the $600 one so I can get the discs, but I'll also be able to get other software as well.

[Dan7637]

mundo01 the reason XP is on netbooks is because thats the OS that most comsumers are familiar with and runs decently on those underpowered machines

[Thranx]

Once again Don doesn't know his stuff.

Put simply, Ultimate is the only way to get the business level features and Media Center. At the most base level, it's the only way to have Media Center and to be joined to a domain.

[DrtyDogg]

Pro does that also.

Sell a single version of the Core OS. Sell the add-ons separately a-la-cart. You can add features when you need them. Thats real choice.

This is just modern-day bundling and counting on a confused customer spend too much. "gee, I better get ultimate in case someday I may need bit-blocker".