Microsoft will heavily promote two main versions of its next
operating system, Windows 7, in an attempt to avoid the problems it
faced in marketing multiple tiers of
Windows Vista.
But while it will simplify its marketing message, Microsoft is
not giving up the multi-tiered approach with Windows 7. There will
still be at least six different versions of the new software, which
is expected to have a full commercial launch in January 2010.
Microsoft said the primary version for consumers will be called
Windows 7 Home Premium, and the main version for businesses will be
called Windows 7 Professional.
Both versions will have the full Windows 7 GUI and more features
than other basic versions. Prices have yet to be finalised.
In addition to these, Microsoft will sell two lower-end
versions, Home Basic and Starter editions. The Home Basic edition
is intended for sale in developing countries, while computer makers
can install the Starter edition on PCs intended for sale anywhere
in the world.
The company will also sell the high-end Enterprise version for
big firms and a similar Ultimate version for consumers. These
versions will include security features and other tools not
available in the two main versions.
When Microsoft started selling
Windows Vista in January 2007, some users buying the Home Basic
version were disappointed that it lacked the full Vista user
interface.
Microsoft had also run a Vista campaign with PC manufacturers
under which Windows XP PCs were marketed as Vista ready. Some users
were also disappointed to learn that when it came to upgrading to
Vista, their
machine could only handle Home Basic and not the Home Premium
and Ultimate versions.
As a result, some users started an
ongoing lawsuit against Microsoft.
Microsoft said the differences between the different versions of
Windows 7 will be clearly communicated, and that all versions will
run on
increasingly popular netbooks - slimmed down PCs designed
primarily for basic web functions.
Read more about Windows 7:
In pictures: Windows 7 Beta inside out
How Windows 7 will change applications
Top five technologies in Windows 7
Microsoft lifts Windows 7 beta download limit after technical
problems