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Microsoft paints Windows 7 versions as simpler than Vista

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James Bannan04 February 2009, 6:38 PM

Microsoft will focus on selling just two versions of Windows 7 to customers, but don't be deceived -- four other versions are still lurking in the shadows to confuse you.

In the transition from Windows XP to Windows Vista, one of the features which drew a large and sustained amount of criticism from users was the sudden explosion in Windows SKUs (Stock Keeping Units -- retail jargon for distinct products). These are the various installation options of Vista – Home Premium, Business, Ultimate and so on.

Microsoft has now announced the SKU strategy for Windows 7, and the company says its major push will be behind two primary versions -– Windows 7 Home Premium for home users, and Windows 7 Professional for businesses –- between the two versions, Microsoft believes it will meet the needs of most users.

So far so good – it comes across as a throw-back to the good ‘ol days of XP where there were but two choices (even though pretty much everyone ended up on XP Professional).

However the other SKUs haven’t vanished – they’re still available. According to Mike Ybarra, General Manager for Windows, Home Basic will be available in “emerging” markets as an “entry-point Windows experience on a full-size value PC”. Ybarra doesn’t give any indication as to what defines an emerging market, so it might end up being a decision made by channel partners. Or possibly a subtle pitch towards the netbook market, although that could hardly be described as emergent.

Starter Edition is also still available but will be OEM option only, on new PCs and limited to certain types of hardware. Also for Microsoft's all-you-can-upgrade software subscription option for businesses, Software Assurance, Windows 7 Enterprise is still on offer, and PC enthusiasts with big wallets will still be able to get their hands on Ultimate.

So really there are only two changes of note from Windows Vista. Firstly, the “Business” edition has now been rebranded “Professional”. Secondly, Microsoft is pushing two of the six SKUs over the others, which comes across as both an acknowledgment that people preferred the simplicity of the Windows XP SKU model, and also that Windows Vista customers tended to gravitate towards those two particular SKUs anyway – Home Premium and Business.

What was suggested in the interview with Ybarra is that the differences which mark the boundaries between the current Vista SKUs – features like Media Center, BitLocker and deployment tools – will also be the boundaries between Windows 7 SKUs.

So while nothing has really changed, this simple shift in marketing strategy will hopefully make purchasing Windows 7 seem a little less complex.

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Tin (Senior Forumologist):

Is there an Ultimate edition too? If not, good luck to those who want Bitlocker or AD support combined with Media Center... Sounds like if you aren't an Enterprise customer, you're screwed on that one.

Here's a thought MS: Simplify everyone's lives by having one version. No need for sales people to understand the teeny weeny differences or explain to customers why MS thought they didn't need feature X just because they wanted feature Y.

05 February 2009, 9:32 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

I'm still to see any justification for the multiple versions other than as a price gouge on the unwary. The statement,(even though pretty much everyone ended up on XP Professional) pretty much sums up user need, with all those impulse purchased home editions needing to be upgraded. The kick being that upgrade cost was equivalent to full retail price of a pro version.

There is no justification for multiple version, no end user benefit. (other than bragging rights for the usual tools who will annoy folks at parties with tales of their spending too much for an ultimate badge)

The windows fan-boys have shown they see care little about bloat and requirements for a lesser footprint can be easily accommodated with some load time tick boxes.

Just like Mr Gates releasing mosquitoes on a paying audience, MS has been pricking its paying customers for years.

05 February 2009, 10:00 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

McBanjo (User):

By Microsoft segmenting the market and selling a different product they're simply trying to milk people and businesses for all they've got. Now let's see them match the price and simplicity of an OS X cat. Oh wait these are the Microsoft cash cows we're talking about. I'm just going to bookmark my favourite torrent site now.

05 February 2009, 10:13 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting McBanjo:
Now let's see them match the price and simplicity of an OS X

Arguably they already do, MS pricing is equally as obscene as Apple's, and given time MS may even be able to whip up some usage restrictions as onerous as those from Apple.

05 February 2009, 10:22 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

todd_h86 (Cornerstone member):

Tin, there is an Ultimate version, well at least the article states it.

"PC enthusiasts with big wallets will still be able to get their hands on Ultimate."

One version would be nice, but then MS would be branded as copying OSX, and we cant have that now can we? ;)

05 February 2009, 10:40 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Tin (Senior Forumologist):

Ah, yes... I see it now. Must have scrolled over that paragraph before.

05 February 2009, 12:35 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

FindTheWalrus (User):

Restricting access to technology based on customers' financial/purchasing power. Not quite "bridging the digital divide" is it? They are basically saying: If you are poor, then we have just the operating system for you. It doesn't have all the functionalities(since you can't afford them) but it "will do" in an emerging market somewhere in Africa. Restricting access to technology to the poor and making the technology available to the rich goes against ethical software development and access.

05 February 2009, 11:05 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

petert (Senior member):

For Vista, the reality is that there are the current 6 versions, but most of those are available as full, OEM and upgrade versions and as well many are available as 32 or 64 bit versions. So the reality is that there are probably more than 20 versions of Vista. From what I am aware, there is only one version of OSX!

Tin, you ask, "Is there an Ultimate edition too? If not, good luck to those who want Bitlocker or AD support combined with Media Center." From what I've been reading, there will be an ultimate version of W7, but it will not be available over the counter. You will need to upgrade to Ultimate over the Internet once you have installed one of the other versions of W7. I am also led to believe the the Pro version of W7 will include Bitlocker and media.

05 February 2009, 11:42 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Tin (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting petert:
From what I am aware, there is only one version of OSX

Excluding the server version, I'm pretty sure that's right too. And Apple are doing fine on that front.

05 February 2009, 12:42 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

petert (Senior member):

I don't want to change the subject too much, but my understanding is that there is only one version of OS X server but there are at least 3 versions of the latest MS server.

05 February 2009, 3:33 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

petert (Senior member):

I should have added that, in the same way as Vista, it would seem that there will still be quite a few version of W7 as well.

05 February 2009, 11:51 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Jarrod Spiga (User):

The one major improvement with the Windows 7 SKUs that has rarely been mentioned since the announcement is that Windows 7 will have "Russian Dolls" style differences.

One of the really annoying things about Vista was that Home Premium had all of the Media Centre bits, but Business didn't. On a personal note, this forced me to use the Ultimate edition.

But undfer Windows 7, Professional (equivalent to Vista Business) is all I require, since every higher edition contains all of the features of lower editions.

05 February 2009, 2:13 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Tin (Senior Forumologist):

I wouldn't count on it working like that. There's still a good 6 months where MS can screw it all up. And history suggests they will.

05 February 2009, 3:16 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

rjsquires (User):

Quoting Jarrod Spiga:
Windows 7, Professional (equivalent to Vista Business) is all I require, since every higher edition contains all of the features of lower editions.

Agreed. Now all we need to know is how much an upgrade from Vista Business to 7 Pro will cost!!!

11 February 2009, 11:30 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Halcon (Advanced member):

James Bannan says "According to Mike Ybarra, General Manager for Windows, Home Basic will be available in “emerging” markets as an “entry-point Windows experience on a full-size value PC”. Ybarra doesn’t give any indication as to what defines an emerging market, so it might end up being a decision made by channel partners. Or possibly a subtle pitch towards the netbook market, although that could hardly be described as emergent"
The emerging markets would refer to countries of the third world like South America and Africa, these poor people will be deceived so badly believing they got a very good offering; the sad reality is that they will not.
These people should stick with Linux instead, because its free and at least a decent Operating System than Windows variants.
The Windows 7 beta has the ultimate version, so is no wonder Microsoft will take advantage by making a lot of variants of their upcoming Windows 7 OS, laughing all the way to the bank.
If Microsoft is willing to offer a good product to the public, is much better to keep it simple, not a lot of derivatives just one size to fit all for a price that everyone can really afford.
Moreover, is time to eliminate the restrictive technologies that comes with the product, this does not protect the company it really hurt the individuals and business (small and medium size).
Think twice Microsoft or else!

05 February 2009, 5:16 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

plutonium210 (Advanced member):

Quoting Halcon:
Think twice Microsoft or else!

Or else what ? .............

And as for all the poor and computer illiterate in the third world countries ? .... Do you honestly think they could get a Linux install up and running on old hardware succesfully ? ...... You are dreaming !

I know veterin IT gurus who still have trouble with Linux on new hardware ! ....... But I'm sure you've seen all the problems posted on the dedicated linux forums ........ haven't you ?

05 February 2009, 5:38 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

FindTheWalrus (User):

Quoting plutonium210:
I know veterin IT gurus who still have trouble with Linux on new hardware !

As a fairly recent adopter of linux i had zero trouble installing ubuntu 8.10 on my new machine(New hardware relies on good drivers). So, the problem might be with your "veteran gurus".

Quoting plutonium210:
And as for all the poor and computer illiterate in the third world countries ? ....Do you honestly think they could get a Linux install up and running on old hardware succesfully ?

Piece of cake

05 February 2009, 6:12 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

plutonium210 (Advanced member):

Quoting FindTheWalrus:
Piece of cake

Hoorah for FindTheWalrus ! .......... We'll just call you Super Guru :)

05 February 2009, 7:16 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

CBR1100XX (Cornerstone member):

Quoting Halcon:
laughing all the way to the bank.

I think that is the goal of EVERY business.

Quoting Halcon:
or else!

............. You won't buy Windows 7 ?
It seems you were never going to be one of Microsoft's customers anyway !

05 February 2009, 5:58 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Me In Oz (Cornerstone member):

Quoting CBR1100XX:
You won't buy Windows 7 ?

If the enquiries about W7 is anything to go by in our store, this OS will sell by the truckload.
It's the perception the public has that this will be the product which will redeem MS after Vista's bad rap (and it was a bad rap, Vista is not that bad a product)

06 February 2009, 10:23 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Me In Oz:
Vista is not that bad a product

Always the salesman. I'm sure Lada salesmen quote something similar when flogging of this years model. :>

06 February 2009, 3:29 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Your Average Joe (Regular user):

Consumers crave choice ! ................ Give it to them !

Look at the automotive industry. Everyone knew that the Mazda 323 and the Ford Laser were the same cars but that didn't stop both selling by the bucket loads.

This is called marketing and it seems MS knows a little bit about selling to the masses.

Exploitive ? Cashing In ? ............ It's all perspective really !

05 February 2009, 5:51 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Tin (Senior Forumologist):

Isn't your example backwards? Or is Microsoft going to be marketing MS Windows 7 while letting us also get it as Novell Windows 7 or Redhat Windows 7?

Consumers tend to be of the opinion that Windows is a given. They don't want choice in that area. They only want it on the Dell vs Acer or desktop vs laptop level. Most don't even consider what will appear on the screen when they turn it on (thus evidenced by the stream of people coming into our shop asking why XYZ won't run on this Vista thing).

05 February 2009, 9:49 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Your Average Joe (Regular user):

Quoting Tin:
Isn't your example backwards?

OK ! Maybe this is more approriate.
The Holden Commodore Omega and the Commodore Lumina. The difference in options is disproportionate to the asking prices. And yet the consumer feels they are getting a different car.
Companies spend millions on finding out what the general public wants and markets their goods to this strategy.
Some people may call this price gouging but this doesn't reflect the money gathered by the companies.
Until the strategy starts to affect the bottom line, the companies will not change their marketing strategies.

06 February 2009, 9:47 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

petert (Senior member):

In most aspects of life, you I agree that most consumers want choice. I am somewhat convinced that computing is one area that is different. Many people may not fully understand how cars work, but they are nonetheless comfortable using them. It seems to be different with computers. Too many people do not understand how they work and are very uncomfortable with using them, though they recognise that 'they have to'. This very large percentage of the population that are 'scared' of computers want something with which they are familiar and so I suspect that may be one of the reasons why MS generally and XP particularly are popular. It is not that they are necessary better, simply that they are familiar and familiarity tends to reduce the level of 'scariness' for them. I may not have explained this particularly well, but my observations over the past few decades are that computers may be uniquely different to other consumer items.

06 February 2009, 9:56 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Your Average Joe (Regular user):

I heartily agree petert !
And hence MS marketing their OS in many options seems to be a genuinely good idea.
Why would the average person at home 'need' Vista Ultimate ?
I know the OS of choice for the modern gamer is Vista Home Premium (VHP outsells the others by 10:1 in our operations)
Cheers

06 February 2009, 10:13 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Tin (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Your Average Joe:
Why would the average person at home 'need' Vista Ultimate ?

Simple... It would mean you, your neighbour and every box in businesses around the world has the same set of features and functions. People in the shops onyl have to know one set of features. People supporting them would know if they do it one way on their PC, it'll work that way on the client's PC.

As for Home Premium outselling any other... Of course it does! Basic is retarded, and Ultimate is a rip. But just because some guy off the street comes and buys Home Premium doesn't mean he didn't need one of the features from another edition.

06 February 2009, 3:54 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Your Average Joe (Regular user):

Quoting Tin:
It would mean you, your neighbour and every box in businesses around the world has the same set of features and functions. People supporting them would know if they do it one way on their PC, it'll work that way on the client's PC.

This is somewhat hypocritical coming from a proponent of Linux with its 1000 different flavours ?

06 February 2009, 4:09 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Me In Oz (Cornerstone member):

Quoting petert:
that computers may be uniquely different to other consumer items.

From a retailers perspective ......

This may have a lot to do with the salesperson the consumer encounters.
Whether they are sincere in wanting to help or just wanting to get rid of old stock.

Here's an example of a situation in our store.
2 years ago the edict from the boss was to get rid of all copies of XP, so hence we recommended XP over Vista. If we did that now, the boss would have us on the dole qeue.

This strategy has been used in every store I've worked in and for every product that is sold. IT and hardware is no different. Companies strive to make money.

06 February 2009, 10:36 AM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Me In Oz:
This strategy has been used in every store I've worked in and for every product that is sold.

Which makes retail sense, and which also reinforces why an educated consumer knows better than to accept what is offered up from retail outlets.

Quoting Me In Oz:
IT and hardware is no different.

At a retail level perhaps, but consultants and those providing system support, obtain their income if different ways, advise from these people is far more likely to have a customers long term interests considered.

06 February 2009, 3:51 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Your Average Joe:
Companies spend millions on finding out what the general public wants and markets their goods to this strategy.

Curious then that MS after performing such research would still continue to alienate large segments of its potential market, by offering products that are inappropriate.

06 February 2009, 3:44 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Your Average Joe (Regular user):

Quoting Raindog:
offering products that are inappropriate.

.... according to who ?
Shouldn't the consumer have a choice ?
And thus isn't the many flavours of Windows a valid marketing tool ?

06 February 2009, 4:13 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend

Raindog (Senior Forumologist):

Quoting Your Average Joe:
according to who ?

According to the marketplace, a marketplace that has predominantly rejected Vista as inappropriate. That is why Windows 7 is being released so soon after Vista.
Vista may have hit the spot with giggle clickers but for the majority it was a cumbersome and expensive disappointment.

Quoting Your Average Joe:
Shouldn't the consumer have a choice ?

They do.

Quoting Your Average Joe:
And thus isn't the many flavours of Windows a valid marketing tool ?

Not really, crippling versions of your product to extract maximum dollar may work for an initial product release frenzy, but it isn't going to wash with the more discerning private or business consumer.

06 February 2009, 5:19 PM (1 year ago)report abuse Send to a friend