Windows 7ista: Another SIX Versions

--
Some corporations never learn. Here we go again:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2340338,00.asp

1) Windows 7 Home Basic - (To be sold only to 'emerging markets', aka the poor)
2) Windows 7 Starter - (As opposed to ?)
3) Windows 7 Home Premium
4) Windows 7 Professional
5) Windows 7 Enterprise
6) Windows 7 Ultimate

"... according to Microsoft, the new versions try to strike a balance between complexity and what customers will actually require.

"When you have a customer base of more than one billion, two options can't satisfy all of their varied needs," according to Microsoft. "For that reason, we will continue to offer a few targeted SKUs for customers with specialized needs: For price-sensitive customers with small notebook PCs, some OEMs will offer Windows 7 Starter. For customers in emerging markets, we will make Windows 7 Home Basic available. Businesses have two recommended choices: Windows 7 Professional and Windows 7 Enterprise. Windows 7 Professional is recommended for small businesses and Windows 7 Enterprise is recommended for mid- and large-sized businesses that have a Software Assurance Agreement with Microsoft."

...Blah blah blah...

Meanwhile: Apple offers one version of Mac OS X.

And yes, the Windows delay in adopting 64-bit computing continues:

"Except for Windows 7 Starter, each version will be available in either a 32-bit or 64-bit version."

Macs and Mac OS X have been 64-bit enabled for several years.

Microsoft still have nothing to say regarding costs of the six versions, nor do they predict any release date.

The article at the link noted above has 31 screen captures from Windows 7ista beta 1.
--