Whether you choose to label them as netbook PCs, mini-notebooks or sub-notebooks, fact is that the next iteration of the Windows client will be tailored to the current and the next generation of small, mobile and affordable PCs. The promise from Microsoft is that all the editions of Windows 7, namely Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate, will work on netbooks. And fact is that the Redmond company has to keep the pace with the general trend on the consumer market, as netbook PCs are expected to ship over 40 million units until 2012, a computer growth simply impossible to ignore.“Microsoft is offering a clear path for Windows 7 across the board, so as we demonstrated at PDC, WinHEC and CES, Windows 7 provides a great user experience on small-notebook PCs,” explained Brad Brooks, Microsoft’s corporate vice president for Windows Consumer Product Marketing. “With Windows 7, we’ve matched hardware improvements with some investments of our own. With Windows 7 we are on track to have a smaller OS footprint; an improved user interface that should allow for faster boot-up and shut-down times; improved power management for enhanced battery life; enhanced media capabilities; and increased reliability, stability and security.”
However, despite the fact that Microsoft is embracing netbooks with Windows 7, the Windows client division actually took a hit in the second fiscal quarter of 2008 in terms of revenue, specifically because of increased sales of small, portable and cheap machines. As the Redmond company is getting 80% of its revenue from OEMs, and less for each copy of Windows preloaded on netbooks, it has seen less money. This trend is bound to continue in 2009, as the machines themselves get cheaper while the hardware performance increases, with Windows 7 having to fit in, and not increase the price of the products.
“Engineering investments allow small notebook PCs to run any version of Windows 7, and allow customers complete flexibility to purchase a system which meets their needs. For OEMs that build lower-cost small notebook PCs, Windows 7 Starter will now be available in developed markets. For the most enhanced, full-functioning Windows experience on small notebook PCs, however, consumers will want to go with Windows 7 Home Premium, which lets you get the most out of your digital media and easily connect with other PCs,” Brooks added.
Windows 7 Beta is available for download here.
Product keys to activate Windows 7 Beta are available here.
