Thinking of buying a netbook with the new Microsoft Windows 7 operating system installed?
You might want to think again – thanks to what looks like some crazy Microsoft pricing plans!
Windows 7 ‘starter’ will be VERY limited – Unless you pay up!
Microsoft are taking a huge gamble, by shipping a heavily restricted version of Windows 7 on new netbooks. The Windows 7 ‘starter’ OS will only allow you to (wait for it) run THREE applications at a time and will have many other features stripped! To use the operating system properly, you will have to take your newly-purchased netbook, surf over to Microsoft and go and pay them some more money!
This is Microsoft’s idea of how to combat the low cost (or no cost) OS options currently available on netbooks.
Windows 7 starter – a non-starter!
It seems that Microsoft were given two options, for the Windows 7 OS they shipped with new netbooks.
The first option, was to offer a version like Windows XP home, which did pretty much everything the ‘average’ user needed.
The second option, was to offer a all-but useless version of Windows 7 on netbooks, and try and force new customers to pay another fee, for what they should have got all along. Microsoft chose the second option!
With the world in recession and the bitter taste of Windows Vista still in the mouth of millions of Microsoft customers, this latest move is sure to be met with resistance. In February, Intel’s Chief Executive Paul Otellini said at an investor conference that Microsoft’s strategy – to convince consumers to upgrade from a Starter version of Windows 7 “is going to be tough for a bunch of reasons.”
It begs the question, is anyone at Microsoft even remotely aware of the bad feeling their last OS caused and the need for them to start showing some sign that they want to put it right with Windows 7?
What do you think?
Is this pricing plan going to encourage you to buy a netbook with a stripped version of Windows 7 – or will you get a linux based alternative? Let us know what you think, by leaving a comment below.
Hmm I don’t know why it matters, how can anyone stand the slowness of more than 1 application at a time on a atom cpu?
I run a samsung nc10 with 2 gig of quick ram and it flies along with a stack of apps running, The newer netbooks will be even faster.
Considering I already use Linux on a day to day basis, I would think this was absurd to do!.
Tray,
I use all the ‘main’ OS’ because I write about them and find good and bad in each one. Windows 7 really interests me, but it seems that even when MS have a good OS, they find a way to screw things up for themselves. In my opinion, this is a crazy decision. That said, if it introduces more people to linux and OSX, we will have a more balanced marketplace.
RT @gspowart : “Windows 7 netbook – pay up or you can only run 3 Apps!” http://tinyurl.com/d6z5c7
Hmm looks like they are truly begging people to change the OS. :(
RT @gspowart: RT @thetechnewsblog: “Windows 7 netbook – pay up or you can only run 3 Apps!” http://tinyurl.com/d6z5c7
Windows 7 – Pay up or be limited to 3 apps! – http://bit.ly/ZsFDz – via @thetechnewsblog
LOL. Windows 7 will tank in the netbook market. http://tinyurl.com/d6z5c7
Wow, I can’t wait for Apple’s netbook… sure it’ll be a little more expensive but I bet $100 it’ll have a fully featured OSX installed… considering there’s only ONE version of OSX.
retwitt @TheTeckNewsBlog “Windows 7 netbook – pay up or you can only run 3 Apps!” http://tinyurl.com/d6z5c7 – Linux/OSX; here we come…
RT @TheTechNewsBlog “Windows 7 netbook – pay up or you can only run 3 Apps!” http://tinyurl.com/d6z5c7 – updated twitter-id (sorry :-)
RT @thetechnewsblog “Windows 7 netbook – pay up or you can only run 3 Apps!” http://tinyurl.com/d6z5c7
Brandon,
I use a Samsung NC10 netbook with 2 gig or ram, running a dual boot ubunto / Win XP and it’s fine.
What I find amazing right now, is that Microsoft are looking to hit people with an additional fee – just to get a working OS on a new machine. Remember, part of the purchase price of that new machine, is for the OS.
This is a REALLY dumb move, in my opinion.
http://tinyurl.com/d6z5c7 another bad idea from windows
I’m not a windows user. I use Ubuntu 98% of the time. The other 2% is at a job with software that won’t run under Wine so I use the front desk computer to print out what I need from the system there and then hop right back onto my Ubuntu in my little office. I’m there one afternoon every week so it’s not enough to get me to switch back. I have XP Pro in VirtualBox just in case but I hardly every need it.
and you are not likely to want to switch to win7, when MS are making it so prohibitive?
GO GO Microsoft u piece of crap “Windows 7 netbook – pay up or you can only run 3 Apps!” http://tinyurl.com/d6z5c7 (via @thetechnewsblog)
I don’t believe this is a bad thing. Most small netbooks dont have that much power on them anyway. Your not really going to be running that many applications at once on a netbook anyways. I think Windows Weekly brought this up and said you can actually open some things up more than three times it just depends on the program. I guess we will see when it actually comes out.
I heard about this news from a friend yesterday and was suprised that this restriction would be put in place.
I think it’s a bad move to restrict the OS that way for the starter version. It makes you wonder if they will also put a nag screen on begging you to purchase each time you accidently try load a 4th program.
I am not sure what i’d do to be honest. If the netbook came with just the starter version on it I’d probably pass on it and choose something else.
Matthew,
Yep – Me too! I think this is going to cost MS in lost sales and in good faith. They make a really nice OS, then try to screw users into paying a vig, just to get a reasonably equipped starter version.
Brandon,
Paul Thurrott is a nice guy and I love his podcast – I even gave it a ‘highly recommended’ review. You have to also understand that Paul is very biased in favour of MS – he HAS to be, it’s (literally) his job. If this is such a great move, why didn’t they do it with XP? It’s just a way to get more money out of people.
Nice timing MS!
Talk about pushing us to get cracked versions!!!
Does MS need a bail out?
I still us XP because I can’t bring myself to shell out for that over weight, blotted, fat-assed system like vista…NOW they have brought vistas slim,mobile cousin to the party and not only do we have to pay AGAIN but they haven’t attached her legs!
Shame on you microsoft…no credibility, greedy and no longer even a consideration for my money!
Here is where I would add lots of juicy expletives about what they can do with their OS.
Thanks for your time
I think you are right – this kind of backward thinking by MS will encourage more people to get cracked versions of the OS.
This was an opportunity for MS to start putting right, some of the good will they lost by selling millions of people Vista – an OS that has been very poorly received.
Instead, MS seems intent on hurting consumers, by double charging them for their OS. Remember, part of the price of your PC is already going to MS.
BTW, Windows Starter is not new, even XP Starter had the 3 apps limit.
even Vista stater is the same, u can only run 3 apps at a time :D
The netbook OS market is huge – this was Microsoft’s chance to win back some good faith. Had they decided to sell a functioning version of Windows 7 with netbooks, rather than their usual, lame restricted versions, it would have been better for the consumer.
Remember, you PAY for that ‘free’ software that comes with your new machine. It’s part of the cost.
This is, of course, great news for the linux and Apple community.
[...] Microsoft said that users of Windows 7 Starter Edition, (which will be shipping on netbooks), could run a maximum of 3 applications; unless they paid for [...]
I think Personaly Linux is the way to go since Windows And Mac Have Got So money Hungry Eather Pay A Lot Of money For HardWare (mac) Or Pay Alot For A full OS (windows) Adn About Windows 7 I been beta testing it even the lates RTM (release to Merch) HAs issues People Hve Window 7 on a pedistal but it has so much problems yeah it boots up faster wow 10-15 seconds faster then vista but it has tons of compatiblity issues it offers a new tech but can render 1000 of dollors of pre paid software and games in op. and before you say check xp 3 compatibilty to fix some of the issues it still dosnt work so i say microsoft want you to trow away a whole pc life for windows 7 many may disagree to my opinion but there are more that agree then disagree see foryour self xp users throw in a windows 7 beta and then find out xp is still more advance
I run Eee netbooks, usually with Xubuntu, Virtual Box, Win2k or XP. Runs fine and fast supporting heavy “power user” applications such as Autocad and Orcad.
If I had this limitation on Win7 I’d simply install Virtual Box and install multiple instances of Win7.
My daily work requires having Windows and Office but that does not stop me from enjoying the power of Linux underneath it all and I never have to worry about problem with Microsoft attempting to control what I can and cannot do with my computers.
I think this is strait BS i bought a gateway netbook which came with windows 7 starter,which sucks.I wouldnt have bought it if i had know i couldn’t even change my desktop background…i think its cheap of a company like microsoft to do this.Iv’e always liked microsoft but will probly never use it again who wants a computer where you can’t change you desktop background or run more no more than 3 app’s without paying an an extra 80 bucks??Schould have got a mac!
I totally agree. I got my netbook yesterday only to realize you can’t change the desktop background??? WHAT??? And it doesn’t do anything windows 7 touts as being so alluring!!! I am absolutely irate! I’m sorry but desktop background is an absolute deal breaker for me… sort of like cup holders in a new car. I mean…who wants a computer that can’t be personalized!
I agree with most of you. If I was informed from Dell of the limitations of Windows “Starter,” I would have reconsidered using XP. I think it is deceiving that Microsoft and Dell would not give you all the information before buying the computer. I am very upset. I bought 2 netbooks for Christmas, and now I will be out another $150 to upgrade them.
I have a new Samsung N110 and I bought it with Windows 7 starter thinking I would try and futureproof it. Huh! I soon realised my error when I found I couldn’t change the startup screen. Now I find all manner of things missing. Including Outlook Express – Idon’t want to be web based.
Poor, cheap, mean show Microsoft as I have already paid extra for Win 7.
In future I shall buy as few of your products as I possibly can.
It sucks Ass! I can’t even connect to a Network with this piece of shit.
I still have a 9 year old Dell Latitude I have been wanting to upgrade from. I want to buy a netbook but dont want be forced to pay for windows starter that is useless. It is a deal breaker for me. Umbunto Linux does all I need and is more clean than any windows.
Microsoft is first and foremost a marketing company, and always has been. I started with CPM. Moved on to DOS because most machines in thrift stores were DOS (not to say they were there for a reason – more Fords on a used lot, than BMWs) Apple’s mistake was copyrighting Hardware, not software, and MS took the market lead. Windows 7 starter allowed the hardware companies to put a machine out for $300 vs $400. You would have paid for it one way or another! The 3-apps is OLD info, MS dropped this after consumer outcry (and with an Atom do you REALLY want to? – get a REAL laptop for more power) Netbooks serve a niche, and are not a replacement for desk or laptops!
I had an EEPC netbook and when BestBuy said they were replacing it under my extended warranty I thought great. The old netbook had XP. The new netbook has 7 STARTER. I didn’t know it was an operating system that someone in their infinite wisdom decided to fool the consumer with. The Geek Squad never even said.. ” Hey the real operating system for this computer will cost you another $80! I feel very cheated. I think you should get a whole operating system for any computer you are buying! I didn’t realize how limited it was when I got the replacement computer until things I normally did with the old one no longer worked. As for the “you would have paid for it anyway” comment, Even the lowest priced laptops from $300-$400 come with a complete operating system, none of this STARTER CRAP. This was such a rip off and greedy thing on ASUS’s part. I am so tired of being ripped off companies. MS should never have made 7 STARTER and ASUS shouldn’t have used it as an operating (or should I say partially operating and crippled) system. Computers that come with this OS should have a big flashing sign on it saying “STEP RIGHT UP SUCKERS!” It was all in the name of GREED pure and simple.
I think I will get a Samsung NC10, it looks really great and has good specs. Or does anybody know a notebook with similar specs?
I bought a Samsung N150 on Saturday, spent Saturday night and Sunday trying to get it to surf the web, Monday evening tried some more. It can see Altavista, and even gets some results pages, but it can’t see Facebook, Microsoft, or Samsung websites. Sees the local network and webcam fine. Took it back to the shop for a refund on Tuesday. Wont be trying Win 7 starter again.
My bad. I purchased an Acer notebook without knowing anything about windows 7 starter. The reviews are correct–it REALLY SUCKS!! Probably the dumbest move I have made in a while. Can I go back to XP or another system with this computer?
Hi,
To correct my earlier post in February about the lack of Outlook Express, well I’m at fault here. It appears that the Windows Live Suite is in fact bundled with Starter 7.
Nothing in Samsung Guide about what is available on Windows 7 Starter and nothing appears in the various displays that appear after you first setup the Netbook. (Samsung N110)
The Live suite has all sorts of goodies in it including a good picture viewer.
Sorry Microsoft – however I still think that too much is missing from Starter 7 compared to better versions.
The netbook is good and has benn transformed by the addition of more memory. (2GB now)
Nick
I was given a small Gateway netbook for christmas by my father and I think the windows 7 starter is a bunch of crap. I would rather go back to windows xp. I refuse to pay for windows 7 premium or what ever. I do not think it was ethicaly right of them to do this to anyone in the world. Would they like it done to them… I would think not.