Windows 7 (non) Starter on Netbooks

[angry_geek]

Well MS does it again.

Also missing from Starter, said LeBlanc, is DVD playback; multi-monitor support; personalization tools that let users change the desktop wallpaper, colors and sound themes; the Windows Media Center software for watching recorded TV or other content; and domain suppor

I could care less about domain support and media center, but no multi-monitor, no dvd, can't change wallpaper or theme?!?!? What the hell?

Report from the usually-reliable Web site TechARP.com say Microsoft has set other restrictions on Windows 7 Starter that apply only to computer makers. Earlier in the week, TechARP.com said Microsoft will allow OEMs to install Starter only on PCs with screens no larger than 10.2 inches that run a low-powered single-core processor.

Even the new Atoms are dual-core. Acer just released an 11" screen with 720p resolution. I guess this kills both of those, or ms just raised the price of a usable netbook by $100.00. Kind of defeats the purpose of the cheap netbook, don't you all agree?

That move, another analyst said today, was prompted by Microsoft desire to limit damage to its revenue stream by forcing the low-priced Starter edition into a narrowly-defined category so that more powerful machines with larger screens would be required to run more-expensive editions.

No kidding!

Today's change to Windows 7 Starter reinforces Microsoft's position as the maker of the default netbook operating system, said Cherry. "They didn't want to get into a situation where they gave Linux an opportunity to get back into consideration," he said.

With all those limitations, they just gave me every reason to load ubuntu on every netbook I buy or sell that came with Win 7 Starter. Hopefully the oems have the same attitude. Maybe this will be a good thing for linux. It just might be enough to give ubuntu a foothold in the market.

Post your thoughts on this stuff. Here is the full article.

 

[abe]

I tested the starter edition on my asus eeepc 900 and can verify the facts above, anyone getting a netbook with it preinstalled is getting a severley hampered os, it took me 5 min's to get rid of it. I now use a vlited version of ultimate and its great, I removed languages and some other things I can't use anyway and it installed on 3.5 gigs.

It works great I see no need to have the starter edition at all.

I would install any linux distro rather then use ubuntu.

Abe

 

[angry_geek]

I would install any linux distro rather then use ubuntu.

Abe

I prefer ubuntu, but that's not really the point. Any distro would be preferable to this handicapped crap that MS is going to release.

Their attempt at having 7 the defacto os for netbooks is, hopefully, going to give linux a leg to stand on in the pc market. If the oems start installing linux because of the handicaps in starter and the cost of the premium flavors of 7, then more people will learn the os. Maybe software vendors will start writing apps for it. It just might be the thing needed to make linux a viable alternative to windows and mac for everyone. I'm probably dreaming, but it's a good dream.

 

[abe]

sorry what I meant was,

"i would install any linux distro rather then install win7 starter"

however win 7 ultimate works great for me.

 

[purple_minion]

Wouldn't all these limitations cause people to dislike windows, much like M$ FUD said about linux issues on netbooks? They weren't linux issues, but crappy oem attempts at linux.

 

[Blues]

You need to be able to atleast connect an external monitor, if the device has the port, for repair uses Im fine if it only is avialable in cloning form and not extended desktop. DVD Playback I assume they mean watching movies which does not make sense to limit but also I never used Windows for that always 3rd party app now if those won't work then I have serious issue with that as thats some serious tampering to me. The single and dual core wouldn't be an issue except like you said there is a dual core atom so "WTF?!" is my thought.

 

[abe]

@blues if they rip out dvd playback, i dont think a 3rd party app will work.

 

[blackburgpchelp]

I believe MS has just announced they're nixing the 3 app limit. I haven't read in depth on it yet, but noticed the article on ZDNet, et al.

-Rance

 

[Blues]

@blues if they rip out dvd playback, i dont think a 3rd party app will work.

That is what I mean by serious tempering it is along the lines of the single core limiting. Fudging with what the hardware is allowed to do is absurd I am fine if they want to leave out support, unless it is a core feature, but allow you to go and buy a MS or 3rd party app to get what you want out of it.

 

[Rob]

Jeez, just got burnt by this. Ordered in a new EeePC with Win7 Starter for a customer and I'm setting it up for them. Normally we load on a few nice aerial shots of our town as desktop wallpaper... but no changing the background on Win7 Starter? Seriously WTF? Why would Microsoft do something that dumb? Way to needlessly cripple the OS MS, guess I'll keep ordering the eeepc's with XP then!

 

[Tweak]

You can but it requires a program... http://www.stardock.com/products/mycolors/index.asp

 

[Rob]

Doesn't work unfortunately
http://forums.mycolorsdesktop.com/369446

 

[Tweak]

Doesn't work unfortunately
http://forums.mycolorsdesktop.com/369446

Guess it should have read "it did" not "it can" now then, oh well!

 

[Rob]

I'll keep digging, there's got to be a solution. I'm going to be pretty embarrassed handing over this thing otherwise.