The Scoop on Windows-7

 
Windows 7 looks great, but Microsoft has made it a bit confusing with their offering of six different versions. Here are the 6 official Windows 7 versions. Except for Windows 7 Starter, all versions come in either 64-Bit or 32-Bit versions. Here is a very rough comparison of the features and approximate price of each of the 6 editions.

 

Windows 7 Starter $79.99

Like Vista Basic, Windows 7 Starter does not come with the Windows-Aero and the sleek, cool glassy transparent desktop features. Also, it Windows 7 Starter lacks a 64-Bit Version and you cannot change the wallpaper.

 

Windows 7 Home Basic: $89.99

Slightly enhanced version of Windows 7 Starter, with some aero and transparent functionality, but is limited to emerging markets only. Not sold in the U.S.

 

Windows 7 Home Premium: $149.99

This is the popular home user choice, which comes with the Media Center, Aero and a new touch-screen user interface for touch screen monitors. Windows 7 Premium 64-Bit will support up to only 16GB of RAM, whereas Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise will support up to 192GB.

 

Windows 7 Professional: $199.99

All of the features of Premium. Windows 7 Professional is the equivalent of Vista Business, including the ability to log-in to domain servers. Some new improvements include software restriction policies, File System Encryption, Remote Desktop Server mode and Presentation Mode. 

 

Windows 7 Ultimate: $219.99

Everything that’s in Windows 7 Professional, plus the infamous Bit-Locker for encryption of data files. Also includes Unix Application support and multiple language user interface. The cool  thing about Windows 7 Ultimate is that Microsoft will allow you to upgrade from Windows 7 Premium or Windows 7 Professional, should you decide you need some of it’s extra features.

 

Windows 7 Enterprise

Windows 7 Enterprise is pretty much a business-licensed version of Windows 7 Ultimate. The resulting benefit is the ability to take advantage of the Microsoft Software Assurance program and use a single license to run several virtual machines.

 

Should I go with 64-Bit or 32-Bit Windows 7?

Okay, here’s the scoop: Computers today like lots and lots of memory. 4GB may sound like a lot, but you’d be amazed at how much better they run on 8GB or more. The 32-Bit Windows 7 OS has a 4GB memory limit. The only reason for not running the 64-Bit Version of the OS would be if you own and use applications software that are not 64-bit compatible. The most commonly used applications like Adobe Photoshop 7, Microsoft Office 2003, 2007 and 2010, and of course your browser, will all run on a 64-Bit OS.

Older versions of Quickbooks and some of your computer games, may not run on 64-Bit OS. The pricing on the 32 bit and 64 bit Windows 7 are the same. If you want application, web surfing and multi-tasking performance that is out of this world, I recommend a system with 8GB of Memory running a 64-Bit version of Windows 7. If you really want your system to scream, install the O.S and Programs on an SSD drive. You’ll be amazed at how quickly things load-up and move.

 

Windows 7 Upgrade Pricing

Windows 7 Starter to Windows 7 Home Premium: $79.95

Windows 7 Premium to Windows 7 Professional: $89.95

Windows 7 Premium to Windows 7 Ultimate: $139.95

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