Windows 7 packages explained
Today’s launch of Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 7, has prompted questions about which features each of the five available retail packages include.
Currently local retailers are selling copies of Windows 7 for between R550 and R3200 according to package choice. Microsoft has chosen to release several versions of Windows 7 in order to cater for the different needs Windows users have.
The package selection begins with Windows 7 Starter Edition. Although this version is not readily available for retail it has found its way onto a number of Netbooks which are due for release in the coming weeks. This edition caters for low end PCs and as a result offers reduced functionality.
Users will not be able to change the desktop wallpaper, adjust window colours or sound themes. Access to Windows Media Centre and multi monitor support has also been removed.
Windows 7 Home Basic and Home Premium are the cheapest ‘full version’ packages available. Both offer the primary tools within Windows 7 and support either 32-bit or 64-bit modes. Home Premium however includes the new Aero Glass visual feature which supports translucent browser and navigation windows as well as Microsoft’s new multi-touch capabilities.
On the high end Windows users will find the Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate packages. The Professional edition features most of the key features found in the new operating system apart from capabilities such as booting from a virtual hard drive, multi language packs and the Bit Locker application which encrypts the drive on which data is stored to offer better security.
Windows 7 Ultimate is the premier package in Microsoft’s product line up and includes every feature incorporated into the operating system as a whole. As a result it is the most costly version, retailing for between R2300 and R3200 locally.
Below is a table which gives a more detailed description of which features potential buyers can expect in each package.
| Windows 7 Starter | Windows 7 Home Basic | Windows 7 Home Premium | Windows 7 Professional | Windows 7 Ultimate | |
| Improved task bar and jump lists | x | x | x | x | x |
| Windows Media Player | x | x | x | x | x |
| Back up and restore | x | x | x | x | x |
| Thumbnail Previews from taskbar | x | x | x | x | |
| Multi monitor support | x | x | x | x | |
| Internet connection sharing | x | x | x | x | |
| Aero Glass and advanced window navigation | x | x | x | ||
| Multitouch support | x | x | x | ||
| Windows Media Centre | x | x | x | ||
| Create a homegroup | x | x | x | ||
| Snipping tool and sticky notes | x | x | x | ||
| Remote Desktop Host | x | x | |||
| Windows XP mode | x | x | |||
| Multi language packs | x | ||||
| Boot from virtual hard drive | x |
Windows 7 versions – discussion
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