Comments

• reece

  2009-05-06 15:24:23

  I wonder how they are classifying applications? Does having WinZip (with its system tray icon), Adobe Flash (if that provide its own updater) and Acrobat Reader (complete with a separate updater), or another combination of small system tray utilities (realtek audio driver helper, etc.).
  
  Are they classifying the individual processes that are running (so you'll only be able to open two Chrome tabs, as each one runs in its own process)?
  
  Do they count multiple instances of an application (e.g. two explorer windows) individually, or as a group?
  
  The sensible option would be something along the lines of all user initiated applications that have at least one active, visible window. Has anyone tried to see what counts as applications?
  
  Still, it's very easy to have something like web browser + explorer window + notepad to quickly consume the three applications. This could make diagnosing issues very difficult (its extremely easy to have web browser + regedit + text editor + command prompt + control panel + control panel applet + event viewer + services all running at once).
  
  For a likely use case on a netbook, how about browser + instant messenger + media player/skype. "Sorry, I'm going to cut the connection now, as I need to use the calculator." Yeah, right!
  
  This means that users will be pushed to getting the basic (non-capped) version, which would mean shelling out more money... or abandoning Windows for better alternatives.

• Roy Schestowitz

  2009-05-06 15:49:33

  It's all about pre-installing Windows with a hidden cost and burden.
  
  Artificial crippling is just a nagging pressure to pay for 'the real product'.

• reece

  2009-05-06 16:19:47

  I agree completely. Just like Home vs Home Premium with and without Aero respectively.

• twitter

  2009-05-06 14:29:22

  Lots of industry people have made predictions that Windows 7 won't sell. [1, 2, 3]. Basically, Vista taught them a lesson and now they turn to free software. Vista did not work in any sense, despite much better circumstances of it's release. It was buggy and did not sell. Windows 7 is more of the same and it would not sell because of circumstances even it was perfect. Benchmark after benchmark, however come back the same. Windows 7 is still Vista and a pig. M$ is insanely continuing with user hostile restrictions and their crusades against Google, Yahoo and other popular services instead of fixing their own product. No one should expect things to improve as M$ fires people. The industry knows a death spiral when it sees one.