Comparing Windows 7 Editions
Primary Editions (2)
If you are in a hurry, or want a starting point then just consider two editions of Windows 7.
- Home Premium
- Professional
Please note a new term: SKU (Stock keeping unit), really it means Edition.
Six Editions of Windows 7
- Starter (Only available if pre-installed by an OEM)
- Home Basic (Only in emerging markets)
- Home Premium (Media Center)
- Professional (Windows Vista Business equivalent)
- Enterprise (Microsoft Software Assurance customers)
- Ultimate (Those who want it all)
In the above list, each successive number builds on features of the previous edition or SKU. This is an improvement over Vista where the inclusion of the Media Center was confusing.
Minimum requirements for Windows 7 are the same, or slightly less than with Vista; this is the first time a new Microsoft operating system has not required more memory or CPU power.
‘E’ numbers
In Europe you may well see Windows 7E, where ‘E’ means an edition without IE 8 built-in. This is due to anti-competition wrangling. If you like IE 8 then simply download from Microsoft’s site and then install the correct version for your hardware.
Costs of Full-package Windows 7 – Available from October 2009
- Windows 7 Home Premium: $199.99
- Windows 7 Professional: $299.99
- Windows 7 Ultimate: $319.99
Costs for a Windows 7 Upgrade from XP
- Home Premium: $119.99
- Windows 7 Professional: $199.99
- Windows 7 Ultimate: $219.99
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Windows 8 Developer Preview Install
Getting started with Windows 8 really was a straightforward operation. I chose to over-write a Windows 7 laptop, the benefit was that I could keep the old machine name and other settings. See more on my Windows 8 Install.
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