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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Below is a table which gives a more detailed description of which features potential buyers can expect in each package.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/td>\n Windows 7 Starter<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n | Windows 7 Home Basic<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n | Windows 7 Home Premium<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n | Windows 7 Professional<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n | Windows 7 Ultimate<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Improved task bar and jump lists<\/strong><\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Windows Media Player<\/strong><\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Back up and restore<\/strong><\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Thumbnail Previews from taskbar<\/strong><\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Multi monitor support<\/strong><\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Internet connection sharing<\/strong><\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Aero Glass and advanced window navigation<\/strong><\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Multitouch support<\/strong><\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Windows Media Centre<\/strong><\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Create a homegroup<\/strong><\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Snipping tool and sticky notes<\/strong><\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Remote Desktop Host<\/strong><\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Windows XP mode<\/strong><\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Multi language packs<\/strong><\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Boot from virtual hard drive<\/strong><\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | <\/td>\n | x<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n | |