Windows 7 editions (Home vs Pro)

[Polarman]

I was checking out a more detailed list of editions for the new Windows 7 on Paul Thurott's site:

http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/win7_skus_compare.asp#enterprise

In particular, i was focusing mostly on the differences between Home vs Pro packages.

Home Premium is 200$ and Professional is 300$. Oh and Ultimate is 320$ btw.

Let's see what you get for if you spend 100$ more for the Professional version:

You get to use up to 192GB of ram when using the 64-Bit version as opposed to 16GB for Home Premium 64-bit.

I don't know about you, but does your motherboard support that much ram ? Mine is only good for 8GB.

According to the list, You also get these extra features:

- Backup to network

- Encrypting File System (EFS) (Yes! you can encrypt your p0rn too!)

- Remote Desktop Host (If you want to access your PC from elseware)

- Offline files (You can continue working on a file even if the network is down)

- Domain join (Windows Server)

- XP Mode licensed (Sound cool, but remember that it's not meant for gaming)

- Location-aware printing (used for network printing)

If this is all you get for spending 100$ more, why even bother making this edition when you can get the Ultimate version for a mere 20$ more as the next and final step.

I doubt that the Professional version will be a good seller. For a Home PC user, i don't really see any real advantage to owning Ultimate, even less the Professional version. Did i miss something.

My 2 cents.

 

[I see SPY!]

If that's the case, we're better just going with the Home Premium(?) Edition.

 

[MRCL]

I have Ultimate as the RC, but I never use the features of it, so I'll be getting me the Home Premium version, too.

 

[Agility]

I have Ultimate as the RC, but I never use the features of it, so I'll be getting me the Home Premium version, too.

+1

 

[Agility]

I have Ultimate as the RC, but I never use the features of it, so I'll be getting me the Home Premium version, too.

+1 Agreed. $100 is way alot.

 

[[Ion]]

I plan on purchasing Windows 7 Home Premium (If I even decide to buy Win7 at all); none of the additional features in Professional and Ultimate are of any interest/use to me

 

[Polarman]

There's one feature that i find nice on Ultimate.

Multilingual User Interface Language Packs. Switch language on the fly.

 

[newtekie1]

When you look at the OEM pricing, the gap gets significantly smaller. $100 for Home Premium, $140 for Professional, and $190 for Ultimate. Most of us, buying online, will probably be getting the OEM versions, I know I will. Paying for retail just isn't worth it, IMO.

It is also worth noting that, unlike Vista, choosing Professional over Home Premium doesn't require you give up features. All the features of Home Premium are included in Professional. You don't lose Media Center anymore by going with the Professional option. I find that nice.

I do believe a lot of the people who would be buying Ultimate edition, will probably go with Professional instead. I don't believe Ultimate edition really offers anything worth $50 over Professional now that Professional included Media Center.

Personally, I use Remote Desktop a lot, so Professional is a must for me. The true selling point will be in professional setting though, as the name implies. The ability to join a domain will really sell Professional to companies. The versions are pretty well names for where they will sell. Home Premium will sell to home users, Professional will sell to professional companies.

I really do believe Professional will be bought by home users a lot more than the older Professional/Business editions. Mainly because it still includes Media Center, and really because of XP mode. Even if it isn't geared towards games, home users really have an attachment to XP. They have this fear that moving away from XP, means none of their programs will work. Do I think a lot of home users really need Professional? No, but I believe they will probably buy it.

Any while 16GB of memory seems like enough now, you have to realize that Windows 7 is shaping up to be the next XP. It will be around for a long long time. How long before 16GB becomes the 4GB of today? How long before 16GB is considered the minimum to an enthusiast? We are already seeing mid-range boards with 16GB support being common, and mid-high end board supporting 24GB. It won't be long before 32GB and 48GB is the max, and it is likely to happen during Windows 7 lifetime.