TechMiso

When Microsoft initially released Windows Vista, the operating system was available in six flavors, causing major confusion among consumers which led to only four Vista versions being offered currently. The company was derided by most people for such a perplexing decision – what value to consumers could there possibly be in offering Vista in so many versions? All indications were pointing to a much more thought out Windows 7 strategy so Microsoft could avoid many of the Windows Vista failures.

Or so we thought.

It should come as a major surprise to see that Microsoft is planning to release Windows 7 in six different flavors. Maybe it should not be a surprise, but we were hoping Microsoft had learned from their past mistakes by simplifying the Windows 7 offerings. This is not to be the case – Microsoft is yet again forcing consumers to determine whether something as uninspiring as the Aero UI and “premium games” are worth an additional $60

So what does Microsoft have planned for Windows 7? According to Engadget, they received the following information straight from the horses mouth:

Windows 7 Starter

• Available worldwide to OEMs on new PCs
• Missing Aero UI tweaks
• Limited to 3 simultaneous applications

Windows 7 Home Basic (Vista equivalent: $200)

• Only available in emerging markets
• Missing Aero UI tweaks

Windows 7 Home Premium (Vista equivalent: $260)

• Available worldwide, to OEMs and in retail
• Includes Aero UI tweaks
• Features multi-touch capabilities
• Adds “premium” games
• Adds media capabilities (Media Center, DVD playback, DVD creation, etc.)
• Can create home network groups

Windows 7 Professional (Vista equivalent: $300)

• Available worldwide, to OEMs and in retail
• Includes all features of Premium
• Adds enhanced networking capabilities (Remote Desktop host, domain support, offline folders, etc.)
• Adds Mobility Center
• Adds Presentation Mode

Windows 7 Enterprise

• Available only in volume licenses
• Includes all features of Professional
• Adds Branch Cache
• Adds Direct Access
• Adds BitLocker

Windows 7 Ultimate (Vista equivalent: $320)

• Limited OEM and retail availability
• Includes all features of Enterprise

I would love for Microsoft to explain why there is a need to offer Windows 7 Home Basic and Windows 7 Home Premium when the differences are so small? You pay an addition $60 to get the Aero UI – which should come default across Windows 7 so there is a unified interface across all flavors – along with “premium” operating system games, so-called “advanced” media capabilities and the ability to create home network groups? That’s it? These are features that should come standard in Windows 7 – one should not have to pay additional cash for what are generally considered fundamental features!

Microsoft, who lately has been all about copying Apple’s every move, apparently remains intent on confusing consumers, offering varying versions of Windows 7 which offer no value-add in the grand scheme of things. This is clearly one area where Microsoft needs to outright copy the Apple strategy, and offer a single version of Windows 7 much like how Apple has a single version of OS X “Leopard”. This would decrease confusion, simplify the purchasing strategy, and ultimately lead to a much higher return for the company.

I am becoming increasingly more curious about Microsoft’s inability to offer a single option to the very users who are demanding such minimalism. What drives Microsoft to make peculiar decisions like this? It surely can not be profit because I find it hard to believe this aids in added revenue generation.

Outside of the added confusion which leads to perplexed consumers, Microsoft has to pay for the packaging and marketing of these varying versions of Windows 7. It makes no sense whatsoever to invest so much for what will ultimately be so little return. But when was the last time Microsoft did anything other than what Microsoft wants to do?

I downloaded the demo of Windows 7 and was duly impressed. After Vista launched I lost a lot of faith in Microsoft’s ability to stay current and create a relevant operating system. But Windows 7 changed my thoughts – I hoped this would also translate in the available Windows 7 flavors, but apparently not.

One of these days Microsoft is going to realize they need to step up their game if they plan to continue competing. Apple and other vendors are slowly creeping up on Microsoft so it is vital for the company to push the envelope while giving customers what they want rather than what Microsoft thinks customers desire.

What a shame. Microsoft, when are you ever going to learn?