Windows 7 Home Premium or Ultimate?

[char[] rager]

I am trying to use my reserved PC money to focus primarily on getting around the best current hardware, and I don't really want to pay that much for the operating system.

I already read Microsoft's official comparison guide, but I still want to know which one to get.

I am primarily just gaming, surfing the web, running benchmark software, and viewing media.

 

[[Ion]]

No need for anything more than Home Premium IMO, regardless of what you're going to be doing.

The extra money could much better be spent on something else

 

[newtekie1]

I couldn't live without Professional. Ultimiate is a waste though.

 

[theonedub]

I've used both and don't see a big difference, minus the XP Mode. My preference is to Professional though, all the way. For your uses though, there doesnt look to be a difference.

MS runs the Windows 7 Professional Upgrade for $65 all day everyday, and occasionally drops it to $29.99 (most recently about a month and a half ago): http://www.microsoft.com/student/en/us/software/windows/default.aspx If it applies to you of course

 

[Batou1986]

I couldn't live without Professional. Ultimiate is a waste though.

+1 pro is the way to go

 

[Frick]

The best thing about Ultimate is that you can switch between languages imo.

Then it's totally about your needs. I think Home Premium is pretty perfect for my needs, and by the looks of it, yours too.

 

[char[] rager]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to get Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit.

 

[Drone]

the only big difference between pro and home is being able to join domain in pro and some extra features. for home user home premium is enough, home basic isn't bad either

 

[[Ion]]

I think you'll find that that's the best use of your money

 

[newtekie1]

the only big difference between pro and home is being able to join domain in pro and some extra features. for home user home premium is enough, home basic isn't bad either

Oh there is more than that, some things that I just can't live without when customizing and setting up my home PCs off the top of my head:

• Local Users and Groups under Computer Managerment
• Encrypted Files
• Group Policy Editor
• Can handle more than 16GB of RAM
• Remote Desktop

 

[Drone]

Can handle more than 16GB of RAM

I know but what regular app. requires more than 16 gigs anyway

 

[newtekie1]

I know but what regular app. requires more than 16 gigs anyway

There isn't a single app now. However, it isn't uncommon for me to be using 6GB+ on my workstation.

But with my next platform upgrade in a year or two, I will likely move to 16GB+ of RAM, and I will likely continue to use Win7 for at least 5 years. So where will we be in 5 years? What is the point of a 64-bit OS if you still have a relatively small artifical memory limit? There are already desktop PCs today with more than 16GB of RAM.

 

[theonedub]

I was so excited about remote desktop until I found out it crashes F@H clients Was able to log in and use my computer from my ATT Fuze though- crazy.

Completely OT: Newtekie, what voltage is your GTX 470 at?

 

[newtekie1]

I was so excited about remote desktop until I found out it crashes F@H clients Was able to log in and use my computer from my ATT Fuze though- crazy.

Completely OT: Newtekie, what voltage is your GTX 470 at?

Yeah, it really sucks that it crashes F@H GPU clients. The worst part is that it doesn't really crash the client, but kills the WU, and then you get enough bad WUs that the client shuts down for 24 hours... So you can look at it in the tray and think all is well, when really it isn't doing any work.

I didn't put it on the list though because there are reasonable alternatives, VNC for example. Just like with XP Mode, I actually prefer VMWare Player.

My GTX470 is at 1.087v, IIRC. I'm not at home right now to check.

 

[Drone]

There isn't a single app now. However, it isn't uncommon for me to be using 6GB+ on my workstation.

But with my next platform upgrade in a year or two, I will likely move to 16GB+ of RAM, and I will likely continue to use Win7 for at least 5 years. So where will we be in 5 years? What is the point of a 64-bit OS if you still have a relatively small artifical memory limit? There are already desktop PCs today with more than 16GB of RAM.

I know about x64 and it's true. However the lack of software for 64 bit is upsetting. We really should get pure 64bit without looking back at x86. Teh interwebz should be 64 bit too. Plus, time for 128bit isn't that far.

 

[char[] rager]

Newegg Link

Is this a good buy? It is OEM and the disclaimer says:

Use of this OEM System Builder Channel software is subject to the terms of the Microsoft OEM System Builder License. This software is intended for pre-installation on a new personal computer for resale. This OEM System Builder Channel software requires the assembler to provide end user support for the Windows software and cannot be transferred to another computer once it is installed. To acquire Windows software with support provided by Microsoft please see our full package "Retail" product offerings.

Can I use this for my PC upgrade? Will I be able to run Windows Update, play games, or stuff like that?

 

[Frick]

Newegg Link

Is this a good buy? It is OEM and the disclaimer says:



Can I use this for my PC upgrade? Will I be able to run Windows Update, play games, or stuff like that?

Totally. It's a real license, but it's tied to your computer (or the motherboard actually). If you change your hardware the license expires.

 

[newtekie1]

Yes, all that disclaimer is basically saying is that Microsoft won't provide any technical support for it, but that is what the forums are for.

You will be able to do everything you want, that is a full version of the OS, identical to the version that you would get if you went to the store and bought a pre-built computer off the shelf.

 

[char[] rager]

Believe it or not, I just got around to calculating how much this PC upgrade is going to cost, and if I want to get a 6xxx series ATI when the better ones come out in November, I could really save the 100 USD by not purchasing Windows 7, and just continue to use Vista.

My question is, are all the features of DirectX 11 fully supported on Vista, or only on Windows 7?

 

[newtekie1]

Vista can use DX11 the same as 7.

 

[char[] rager]

I just made myself LOL, because, this thread was about me getting Windows 7, but in the end, I decided to stay with Vista.

 

[95Viper]

I see you decided to stay with Vista; however, if you change your mind and are a student...
you may qualify for this offer: Windows 7 Professional or Windows for Students

 

[char[] rager]

Holy SHIT, thank you 95Viper for the suggestion.

I went to ask a buddy of mine here at MIT, and it turns out, just like we got Visual Studio 2010 for like 80 percent off, I can buy Windows 7 Ultimate, OEM though the school, for like around 50 USD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!