When Microsoft came out with the list of the different editions of Windows 7 It was rumored that the lowest version that was intended for netbooks only would be crippled down to only running 3 processes at a time. Turns out that is not going to be the case. Although there are some things that the starter edition will not be able to do.
From the Windows 7 Blog:
“* Aero Glass, meaning you can only use the “Windows Basic” or other opaque themes. It also means you do not get Taskbar  Previews or Aero Peek.
* Personalization features for changing desktop backgrounds, window colors, or sound schemes.
* The ability to switch between users without having to log off.
* Multi-monitor support.
* DVD playback.
* Windows Media Center for watching recorded TV or other media.
* Remote Media Streaming for streaming your music, videos, and recorded TV from your home computer.
* Domain support for business customers.
* XP Mode for those that want the ability to run older Windows XP programs on Windows 7.”

That’s too bad of a list from a operating system that is going to work on a machine that realistically is only for surfing and some light document works. It’s a far sight better than only having the ability to run 3 processes (excluding system, security etc.). I’m sure there will be some complaints about streaming media and some work-arounds too.

Brandon LeBlanc from the Windows 7 blog states that no one should consider this edition the only edition that will run on a netbook. He also states that he has been running the Windows 7 Home Premium edition on his Dell Mini 9. I personally have been running the Ultimate edition on a 5 year old Lenovo laptop with only 1.5 GB of ram for months now and have only had one issue with folder permissions and Firefox.

I for one welcome our 7 overlords.

Link to the Windows 7 Team Blog is Here

Popularity: unranked