Windows 7 LogoIf perpetual Windows apologist Paul Thurrott’s sources are reliable, and there is no reason to doubt the ultimate Microsoft supporter, it appears the company has finally done something right by opting to drop the much-despised 3-app limit from Windows 7 Starter Edition. But just when you thought Microsoft was being generous they turn around and cause even more ill will. This time the company has published very restrictive limitations on what types of machines will be allowed to run this stripped-down version of Windows. Why is it so hard for the company to do good without pissing off [potential] customers?

By getting rid of the 3-app limit from Windows 7 Starter Edition, Microsoft removed the most contentious “feature” of the operating system. Like most critics, we thought the limit was just plain dumb and would lead to user confusion. It was as if Microsoft was purposely crippling their own operating system in an attempt to force additional sales.

Part of me wonders if Microsoft is using this technique as a means of forcing customers to pay the “Microsoft Tax” once for their netbook and then full price for Windows 7 Home Basic once users get fed up with Windows 7 Starter Edition, effectively getting paid twice. I do not like to wear a tinfoil hat but historically this is how Microsoft has conducted business.

Though they abolished the 3-app limit I am not entirely sold on their motives for doing so. Microsoft is quite business savvy and may have another trick up one of their sleeves. Only time will tell.

Just as Microsoft does some good, they turnaround and do something stupid. Where there’s yin there’s yang. Alongside their removal of the 3-app limit, Microsoft has posted specifications on machines allowed to run Windows 7 Starter Edition. Just when you thought you could run W7 SE on any hardware Microsoft slaps you in the face.

So what are the spec limits? Engadget has the scoop, publishing the following:

Just like today’s max XP specs, things are pretty weak all around: Window 7 Starter machines will max out at 10.2-inch screens, 1GB of RAM, 250GB hard drives or 64GB SSDs, and single-core processors under 2GHz.

Someone care to explain why Microsoft has opted to impose hardware restrictions on the operating system? If their products are as good as the company proclaims then let the market decide if W7 SE is worthy. Let consumers make the decisions rather than have the decisions made for them. Ultimately this is not what Microsoft is about – they have a history deeply rooted in telling customers what they need rather than the other way around.

Another thing I find interesting about these limitations is that Microsoft has ultimately opted to release a version of their newest operating system specifically designed to run on old hardware. Manufacturers of newer netbooks are aiming for 2GB of RAM, meaning W7 SE will not be allowed to run on that hardware. This then begs the question – will Windows 7 Home be capable of running on these machines with no noticeable performance degradation?

I find Microsoft’s approach quite interesting. Not that Apple is faring much better lately, their approach just makes no sense. I totally understand the 3-app limit removal, even applaud Microsoft for such a smart decision but fail to comprehend why they would bother to impose hardware restrictions. Surely the need to make upgrading attractive but this is almost to the point of forcing people to take that leap.