What M$ hasn't told us:

[Polkadot]

Listening to the users here on this forum, I gather that many are trying out Windows7, and/or plan to upgrade to it, once it becomes available as a 'real' release. Microsoft has given us a heads-up on the pricing for Home Premium, and Ultimate versions. I have heard little about Pro. In the US, Canada, Japan, and the EU, the "Starter" and "Basic" versions will either not be available, or, if so, only on very limited machines.

The big question is: Do I want/need Home Premium, or Ultimate? We now know the price differences, but M$ has done little, or nothing to explain what the differences are in the two versions.

Supported RAM:
Ultimate and Pro will support up to 192 GB.
Home Premium will support up to 3.5GB on 32bit machines, and 16GB on 64bit machines.
(I have no answer to "How much will Ultimate support on a 32bit machine?") (?Still 3.5GB?)

Here is the breakdown. The following features are NOT supported on Home Premium:

Subsystem for UNIX:
Only available on Ultimate. This is only for domain-joined laptops running on a UNIX server.

Branch cache/Direct Access:
Only available on Ultimate. Offers improved connectivity with Windows Server '08 R2.

AppLocker:
Only available on Ultimate. Administrators can "White List" applications that net users can access.

BitLocker Drive Encrtption (plus BitLocker To Go):
Only available on Ultimate. Allows for the encryption of entire drives, and removable media. Home Premium does not offer this option, but many free 3rd parties do (http://www.truecrypt.org/downloads).

The remainder of this list contains features available on Ultimate AND Pro.

Presentation Mode + Network Projector:
Handy if you do a lot of slide shows. 3rd party software available for this.

Encrypt File System:
Allows encryption of Files and Folders. Many free 3rd party solutions.

XP Mode:
Ult & Pro come with a fully licensed version of XP, which can be used in virtual mode (if hardware permits).

Backup to network:
Home Premium now allows copying "system images", but you need Ult/Pro to specify a network as your target.

Offline Files:
Allows access/synchronization of files between machines on the network. Windows Live Mesh will accomplish (almost) the same functionallity for Home Premium users.

Join Windows Domain:
Home Premium can access domain based resources, but cannot use Active Directory, or use Management tools.

Remote Desktop Host:
Home Premium can only be a Client, not a Host.

Boot from Virtual Drive:
Home Premium cannot boot from a virtual drive.

Language Packs:
Windows will ship with support for 35 languages. They will ALL be integrated with Ultimate (MultiUserInterfacePacks). Home Premium and Pro will ship with the appropriate language pack for the location where you purchased Windows. You may still download (free) copies of an alternative language. (I do not know if there will be limits on the number of 'Packs' you may freely download, but I kind of doubt it.)

I hope that this breakdown helps you make your decision. If you are not connected to a network, or have a super-computer, Ultimate offers very little to warrant the extra buck$. Bill Gates does NOT need the money, so why spend extra if you do not need the extra features. But do not forget that there is a three year life-cycle on Windows products. If your machine/needs will change soon, concider the higher end version.

[saturn]

I was planning on upgrading to Home Premium.But my buddy told me that if I does this I'll void my warranty from Dell?I've got 1 and a half years left!!!! It must be a Dell upgrade???Can anyone confirm this?

[rnbv424140]

well i for one wouldn't upgrade my desktop till they stop supporting xp. i'll try it on any other computer except mine

[hellnoire]

Freeware to replace all this in 3... 2.... 1....

[utkarsh30june]

The above list is not even close enough to convince even the geeks to buy Ultimate instead of Home Premium.

These added features are useful to maybe only one Nerd in a thousand, not to mention the number of novice PC users around the world.

I still think XP manages to hold a tie with 7. Windows 7 may be the best version of Windows yet, but certainly not the best OS ever built.

--
Also, MS didn't tell us what Benchmark system on the Earth did they use to make [url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/get-the-facts/browser-comparison.aspx]IE8 beat both the Firefox and Chrome, in compatibility, stability, customizability and performance

[Polkadot]

Unless you depend on a network to keep your PC functioning, there's not much there for you in the 'upgrade'. If you do need the extras, then pay for them.

By the way, W7 is going to do a 'Family Pack', but it will be much different than the Vista version. In vista, if you bought a copy of Ultimate, you could get 2 more versions of Home Premium at a discount price. While M$ hasn't made any public announcements concerning this, this is what I have heard:

Family Pack is: Buy one family pack, and install it on 3 PCs. The family pack is for Home Premium ONLY. Sources I know are saying that they want to be competitive with OS X. My guess that a 3-pack of W7 Home Premium will cost you $189 (US$) in the US/Canada, & most of EU. Probably cheaper elsewhere.

I'll be back shortly w/an update on this.

EDIT: I'm back, and here it is:

This is a leaked (portion) of a copy of the License for Windows7:

2. Installation and Use Rights.
a. One Copy per Computer. Except as allowed in Section 2 (b) below......
b. Family Pack. If you are a "Qualified Family Pack User", you may install one one copy of the software marked as
"Family Pack" on three computers in your household for use for people who reside there. ...

[nivek_hcerg]

Micro$hit is and will be always the $ame

[rnbv424140]

right utkarsh. that was a very partisan review of ie8 against firefox.