By Jo Best, 21 February 2006 15:35
NEWS
Microsoft has hinted that Vista will debut in up to eight versions.
Microsoft revealed the names of the six core and two non-Media Player variants of the SKUs in a posting on its website but took down the information shortly after.
The website said the six versions will be Windows Starter 2007, Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate.
Both Windows Vista Home Basic and Windows Vista Business will also be available in an 'N' version, which comes without Media Player bundled in. The EU stipulated in late 2004 that Microsoft was to provide versions of its operating system without Media Player included, as part of the settlement to the long-running antitrust case.
Microsoft, however, denied the list of eight stock keeping units was definitive.
A spokeswoman said: "Microsoft recently posted a web page designed to test the Windows Vista help system that included incomplete information about the Windows Vista product line up. This page has since been removed as it was posted prematurely and was for testing purposes only. We will share more information about the Windows Vista line up in the coming weeks."
Earlier reports had suggested that Microsoft was planning to bring out seven versions of the operating system, including a small business and Media Center edition.
While there will apparently be no dedicated media centre OS, some of the SKUs will carry Media Center functionality, including Media Center Extender for Xbox 360s.
According to James Governor, analyst at Red Monk, a possible eight SKUs will serve to confuse consumers and bump up Microsoft costs.
Microsoft is "making things needlessly complex for customers from an acquisition point of view, by turning every possible niche into a market in its own right", he said.
Governor added: "Offering so many different versions will also add to Microsoft's support cost... Microsoft should focus on making life easier for itself and its customers. That means portfolio rationalisation rather than over-segmentation."
Comments
There are 8 comments. Join the discussion
1. betty
What are SKUs ??
[Ed's note: Stock Keeping Units]
2. Steve Berry
Most people have known for a while that Vista will come in numerous various versions/guises.
Can we blame MS for that ?
Yes - for making the landscape way too complex.
No - from an MS strategic business perspective, what they're doing is really no different to what they've done before - just the scale is becoming larger.
Imagine the Vista scenario extended to apps like Exchange / SMS / Office etc... and things just become laughable.
What does seem apparent is MS are locked into a vicious cycle of product development / quick release times where no-one will effectively be able to keep up. The more they do it, the more most average people/comsumers really couldn't care less, except of course for MS that is.
Then again MS have never really been about looking after "Mr Average" have they ?
3. Bob
It's hard enough trying to figure out which edition you want/need now.
Making it even harder to determine what you pay vs. what you get can only be a mistake.
I suppose it's too much to suppose that there will be an upgrade path if you find that you do need some of the other functions that were not bundled into your version.
(oh no, I forgot - upgrade paths went out of the window unless you bought a volume license with software assurance - or whatever they are calling it this month).
4. Alistair Thomas
Microsoft have various antitrust judgements against them which require them to offer the OS without various bundled elements.
You could argue that they are being user-centric allowing the consumer (individual or enterprise) to buy just what they want and no more. They also get accused of producing bloatware, and certainly you don't want machines cluttered with or even loading software in background that never gets used.
Personally I would offer two products to all markets. A raw operating system that keeps the anti-monopolists happy and an everything-included version (Server and deskop being very different products with their own variants). You then cater for the 8 or more desirable installation configurations with user profiles. Choose a paticular profile and the machine is configured that way. You can change profiles if you wish and given profiles can expand with elements of functionality that are excluded in the original profile being brought in on demand.
Simply pricing, simple stock keeping and put the flexibility and choice at the user level where it might be appreciated. With Desktop and server variants mapped in umpteen different languages, 8 functional variants seems to be about 6 too many.
KISS
5. Dave
Not that much different to Windows XP: Home, Professional, Tablet, Media Centre, X64 Professional....
Most users will use what comes with their system and not even know about the rest, as today.
6. Simon
Shock horror, Microsoft product will be complex and confusing !
Since when have MS ever shown any signs of trying to keep things simple - it's in their interest to make sure that no one understands their product line-up or licencing model - the more complex it is, the easier to frighten people into spending more than they have to.
Contract with Apples OS X - one desktop version for all models and markets (and it's only £99 list), and a server version with added features for servers (IIRC £699 for unlimited clients). No complex client access licences and all that crap !
7. Mike
Simpler than a car! - When you buy a car, a good website takes you through a logical list of choices, all priced for "bundled" or "retrofit/upgrade": Engine, Transmission, Trim, Wheels, Colour etc. In all probably 200 variants .... and we are griping because Microsoft is offering 8 variants, most of which only involve "switching off" the functionality if you don't want it.
If Microsoft were clever, so that if you tried to use something not in your package, you were offered a (priced) instant upgrade, then they would have a business model!
8. Bob
It's hard enough trying to figure out which edition you want/need now.
Making it even harder to determine what you pay vs. what you get can only be a mistake.
I suppose it's too much to suppose that there will be an upgrade path if you find that you do need some of the other functions that were not bundled into your version.
(oh no, I forgot - upgrade paths went out of the window unless you bought a volume license with software assurance - or whatever they are calling it this month).