Microsoft is bringing out its Starter Edition to developed countries for the first time with Windows 7, but it has been around since 2004 when Microsoft released Windows XP Starter Edition for consumers in developing nations.
"People talk about XP Starter Edition in a derogatory manner," said Mike Wickstrand, the Group Product Manager for Windows XP Starter Edition in 2004. "They say it's crippled, or insert your favorite word. You have to look at it like this. We've done the research. We know the unique needs of these people. We've tested instrumented versions of Windows XP Starter Edition that were distributed during the beta. We have incredible data on how these people actually use the PCs. There are factual and logical inconsistencies in the reports I've read that are not backed up by any research at all. They cannot justify the position they've taken. I've spoken to those who came out strong against the product. There is no research."
With Windows XP Starter Edition, Microsoft started to address a glaring problem that had become apparent: low cost computers were starting to become a reality, and could run most programs that people wanted to use, such as word processing, email, and websurfing. However, the cost of the operating system could be as high as 25 percent of the whole computer system.
"When these PCs first hit the shelves, they were designed for people who wanted an inexpensive, mobile computer to browse the Web, do e-mail, instant message and perform other general computing tasks. Computer-makers responded by designing PCs built with lower performing — but also very inexpensive — hardware", said Brad Brooks, Corporate Vice-President for Windows Consumer Product Marketing.
"For example, they typically have much smaller keyboards and screen sizes and lack a DVD or CD drive, and the small size can make tasks like creating presentations, typing documents, or editing photos and video difficult. Typing over a long period of time can also be a little challenging. Finally, the screen size isn’t optimized for the Web, so plan on doing plenty of panning and scrolling".
"We never had a Windows product that was designed for the unique needs of first time users in developing tech markets," said Wickstrand.
With XP Starter, first-time PC users could have up to three programs and three windows per program running concurrently. Further simplification of the operating system included setting a maximum display resolution of 1024x768 and no support for PC-to-PC home networking, sharing printers across a network or more advanced features such as the ability to establish multiple user accounts on a single PC.
Microsoft wanted to hang on to these first time users and get them hooked on Windows. They would then be familiar with the Windows OS and continue to choose it in the future over Linux or other low-cost alternatives.
With Windows Vista Starter Edition, computer users could run up to three programs concurrently, with no limit to the number of windows open. It was only available through OEMs to developing nations as well.
Windows 7 Starter Edition will continue in the same vein for OEMs that build low cost small netbook PCs, but Windows 7 Starter Edition will now be available in developed markets for the first time. However, Microsoft would like consumers who are not cost sensitive to go with Windows 7 Home Premium, which Microsoft promises will "let you get the most out of your digital media and easily connect with other PCs".
"Small-notebook PCs run the same Windows that people know and love, but there are certain trade-offs customers make when they buy these devices", said Brooks. "We think purchasers are drawn to these PCs by their small size and affordability, particularly given the current environment", he continued, referring to the global economic recession.
"It’s important to remember that these small-notebook PCs weren’t designed to replace a full-featured notebook or desktop".