Murphy's Law: Microsoft's Restrictive Netbook Rules
Posted 05/28/09 at 03:00:00 PM by David Murphy
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Rules, rules, rules. It's one of the few things the open-source world has in common with its closed alternative. There are rules for downloading open-source projects. Rules for using open-source projects. Rules for distributing open-source projects. Rules for modify... ok. You get the idea.
It's one thing for open-source developers to define the legal parameters associated with the tinkering of their pet projects. That's the pill you swallow when you agree to download these bits of community-driven software. But that's also where the control factor ends. You can run open-source software on any platform you like. Depending on the parameters of the license, you can even populate your favorite open-source software applications to a new platform of your choosing--like a little bee in a digital garden, if you will.
Flying over the friendly skies of the closed-source world tells a different tale. Microsoft makes the rules here. Or, at least, as many rules as it can get away with making in relation to which of its operating systems you can use and how you can go about using them. Want to run a ton of programs at once? That's a license issue. Want access to additional functionality? Buy a better license. The list goes on, but it doesn't just end at the software level. A recent report has revealed Microsoft's intentions for Windows 7 in the netbook space, but this isn't the first time Microsoft has demanded that hardware manufacturers bow to a certain specification in order to bundle its operating systems along for the ride.
According Tech ARP, Microsoft has established the following maximum restrictions for any OEM vendor looking to package the Windows 7 Starter edition onto a netbook:
Screen size: 10.2 inches
Memory: 1 GB RAM
Storage: 250 GB HDD or 64 GB SSD
Graphics: no limitation
Touch: no limitation
CPU: Single-core processors that don't exceed 2 GHz in speed nor 15 W in power consumption
So, what happens if you want to slap Windows 7 on a netbook, but your device is beyond the specs that Microsoft's provided? Nothing. Nothing at all. You can run a version of Windows 7 on any netbook. That's not the point. The restrictions primarily affect vendors shipping netbooks with Windows 7 pre-installed. In this case, their products will have to slide under the spec if they want to include the bare-bones version of Windows 7 as the OS of choice. Otherwise, it's an upgrade to Windows7 Home Premium -- still discounted in some fashion for the vendor, but shipped at a higher price than Windows 7 Starter. And if you expect said vendor to just eat the costs of the mandatory upgrade, I have a copy of Duke Nukem Forever I'd like to sell you.
While this hardware mandate might seem be a eye-opening at first, it really shouldn't be. Microsoft has already pulled this routine with Windows XP in the ultra-low-cost-portable-computer market--or "netbooks." It started out by restricting XP Home bundles to netbooks with a screen size of 10 inches or less, as well as a maximum memory of 1GB and a processor no speedier than a single core, 1.0 GHz CPU. Touchscreen-based netbooks were right out, as were any netbooks with hard drives larger than 80GB.
Microsoft eventually relaxed the restrictions, bumping up the screen size and hard drive capacity limitations. Touchscreens were even allowed to frolic in the OEM fields of Windows XP. The barrier remained for processor speeds and memory capacities, although microsoft began to let a few exceptions slip past the gate.
The restrictions on CPUs and RAM continue with the latest revision to the hardware specifications. Microsoft has settled on a 12.1-inch maximum screen size for Windows XP and Windows Vista-based OEM netbooks. The storage capacity limit for netbooks with hard drives sits at 160 GB, nearly two-thirds less than those for Windows 7 netbooks. Solid-state drives cannot run any larger than 32 GB. The same processor restrictions are in place as before--single-core CPUs running at a frequency of 1 GHz or less--although Microsoft has carved out a number of exceptions to the rule (including a swath of Intel Atom processors). Touchscreen netbooks are alright so long as they only operate using resistive touch technologies.
What a complicated mess.
It's bad enough that Microsoft offers such a stratified portfolio of features and options for its operating systems. But that's a practice that the market has come to accept. If you want fancy Windows elements to show off to your friends, or increased enterprise functionality, you're going to have to pony up for a more comprehensive version of the operating system. And while it makes sense from a business standpoint that Microsoft wants to keep netbooks as far away from the general Vista base as possible, restricting the sales of operating systems based on hardware requirements only hurts consumers in the long run.
This practice ensures a general stagnation of the netbook market. Vendors will think twice about push past Microsoft's limitations for fear of losing their cheaper Windows licensing options--or, in the case of Windows XP and Vista, the ability to slap Windows onto a netbook altogether. Vendors that want to release a powerful, portable system will not only have to put up for the costs of the hardware, but they'll also be forced to deal with a more expensive version of the operating system as a result of Microsoft's restrictive hardware requirements.
To be fair, Windows 7 starter is so stripped down and locked (allegedly) that the additional upgrade might be considered a blessing in disguise. And I can't envision that many mainstream netbook users will be thrilled to go up against the Windows 7 Starter limitation of no more than three concurrent programs running at one time. But that's a software choice. If Microsoft wants to release 99 versions of its operating system, each promising one additional application launch for every successive upgrade your purchase, that's fine. That's their right. Fire away. But it's unfortunate that this level of control from Microsoft has spilled over into the hardware market as well. Last I checked, Linux didn't come with a list of rules.
Much Ado About Nothing
Submitted by einstein1971 on Sat, 05/30/2009 - 6:01am
Myurphy, I knew you wouldn't admit it when Microsoft listened so here's the link to the article where they have reversed the Starter Edition limits and also say that 7 Ultminate will work with Netbooks
Submitted by einstein1971 on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 10:34am
Look, I realize that this is an emotional issue for you (I can already see you in your Xena Warrior outfit doing that war chant) but let's jump on the logic train for a moment shall we:
1. Netbooks are not intended to Desktop replacements but light weight computing devices for web, email, and some document creation (ie Word, Powerpoint, and Excel)
2. Netbooks lack the power to run a modern OS at full speed (ask Gordon, their crap for video encoding, photo editing, etc.) but they are great long lasting devices for general purpose uses
3. Microsoft took a bullet in the past for Intel and Nvidia and lowered the requirements and it really back fired for all involved: consumers, OEMs, etc. MaximumPC took great pride in hammering Microsoft over this fact. What Microsoft is doing is one providing you the opportunity to buy only what you want and need (instead of leather seats for a Pinto) but a path to upgrading as required (remember this OS option is CHEAPER--I think you failed to mention that point) plus protecting the consumer from OEMs selling systmes that are under powered for the OS installed (I'm running Win7 on a Dell Netbook and it rocks).
4. I get you prefer Linux but even Linux has minimum requirements to run all the eye candy, etc. (hey, MPCs guide on Linux is fantastic by the way) and Apple is all but lying when they claim you can't run Mac OSX on a Netbook when MPC clearly demonstrated that you can.
5. If you really feel this is too restrict exercise the power of the Market and just don't purchase a Netbook with Linux (now might be a good time to predict that this is the year of Linux)
6. By the way, Apple makes Microsoft look pretty good when it comes to silly controls (iPhone Apps and those restrictions are a bit too Commie for my taste) and for those OEMs that do use Linux I'm sure they remember the time Cisco had to contribute code back to the GPL after the OSS lawyers went after them
So hey, there are recommendations from Microsoft and call it lessons learned.
Submitted by Tagge on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 10:22am
Wow, Microsoft being a bully and stifling a PC market, who would've thoght? *gasps*
NOBODY should be able to tell you what a piece of software you legally purchased can and can't be used on. As long as you're not pirating it, it shouldn't be any of their business.
Just makes me all the more pleased w/ using Linux on my netbook.... and my desktop... and my MythTV machine... and my router... and my wireless AP... and my NAS. Microsoft is doing very little to win back over customers from their absolute failure that is Vista. Frankly between this and the fact that Windows 7 will inheriently give Microsoft the ability to shutdown my machine at a wim? I'll be sticking w/ Linux, MS can stuff their software where the sun doesn't shine.
Submitted by Taqueed on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:58am
The restriction should be Windows Starter can not be used on anything with a screen size larger than 10.5 or a proc faster than 2g. I can see some companies trying to cut corners and selling notebooks with half a brain.
Submitted by MeTo on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 6:33am
Why should i not beable to have 12" screen i am old and it helps me to see it better?
Why should i be limeted when 3gig cpu could run without struggiling so it would last longer.
All they are doing is trying to force people to buy high price laptop's that lost 20% of the market when netbook's came out. They had meetings and said what can we do to get people to buy our money making laptops.
Linux Mint,Duel boot/Vista,AMD Athlon+ x2 5600,3 Gig ram,500 Gig HDD,ATI 1300 Video.
Submitted by Taqueed on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:58am
The restriction should be Windows Starter can not be used on anything with a screen size larger than 10.5 or a proc faster than 2g. I can see some companies trying to cut corners and selling notebooks with half a brain.
Submitted by Taqueed on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 4:58am
The restriction should be Windows Starter can not be used on anything with a screen size larger than 10.5 or a proc faster than 2g. I can see some companies trying to cut corners and selling notebooks with half a brain.
Submitted by GFC on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 10:32pm
I actually think what they're doing is at least reasonable, i mean really, they don't get ANYTHING from the starter, you don't get anything either ^^. No more powerful netbooks with lousy OS? omg, noo!!! world is coming to an end!!!
Submitted by daveg on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 10:23pm
FYI, there aren't really any rules for downloading, using, or even modifying open source software. It's all fair game until you decide to distribute a modified version of the software. That's when the rules kick in. :)
Submitted by almax on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 9:59pm
So instead of wondering why someone would buy the modern day equivalent of a YUGO, there is actually concern regarding its limited options package??
Submitted by rob41 on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 8:13pm
This is just the kind of business practice that turns off so many people to Microsoft (aka the "We say so Corp").
Although I much prefer Microsoft to any of the altenatives, I'm happy to see that the dissatisfaction with that arrogant bully is increasing every day.
Does MS even realize they are their own worst enemy and that's the primary reason market shares of OSX and Linux are increasing?
MS worries about their adverising campaigne against Mac when they should be concerned with there pricing and policy structures.
Oh well, maybe MS will eventually get "bailed out" by our govt.
Guidelines, not resrtcitions
Submitted by Sokkratez on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 3:24pm
Guys, if nothing happens when you try to install this on an over-specc'd machine, they're GUIDELINES not RESTRICTIONS. They're for OEMs (as you mentioned) so that they don't put the Starter edition on machines that can handle more and should have Home Premium or something on it instead.
Question
Submitted by winmaster on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 2:35pm
Does anybody actually want Windows 7 starter edition? Didn't think so.
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The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Submitted by kwxvii on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 1:27pm
Windows 7 Starter Edition 3 app limit to be axed?
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/windows-starter-edition-limit-netbook,7886.html
at least that would help
Submitted by bingojubes on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 1:25pm
at least that would help buyers of those netbooks make sure they are getting what they paid for. i think it was awhile back when people were complaining they couldn't run Aero on their laptops, even when it said on the sticker it could, because of the lacking laptop hardware. i am sure MS doesnt wanna make that mistake again and mislead people. so in an attempt to make it visually appealing, maybe this is a good step to take?
in that case, i'm not sure about the less than or equal to 2GHz. guess that's how fast those netbooks go, i guess.
Submitted by N25PHILLY on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 1:06pm
If you can get past the f*** Microsoft attitude that everyone seems to get the second they see their name anywhere, this actually makes sense.
Submitted by Defiant on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 12:05pm
This honestly doesn't seem that bad to me? Whats the problem, your getting windows regardless and there is freeware to compensate for any missing features.
You don't see a problem with
Submitted by TheMurph on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 12:40pm
You don't see a problem with Microsoft saying "Sorry, netbooks must exist under this size and specification, or else we won't license Windows for them?"
That's like me saying "Sorry, I don't think that your Core i7 machine should be able to run Steam. You'll have to buy the Steam i7 upgrade before you're allowed to play with your friends."
Submitted by mesiah on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 8:20pm
I think you are getting a little over excited on this one murph. I don't see this having any real effect on the progressoin of netbooks. If you buy a cheap netbook its going to fall under the requirements for the windows 7 starter edition oem license. But if you are buying a high end netbook, with or without the restrictions from microsoft, most manufacturers aren't going to stick you with the locked down windows 7 starter edition. Just like most manufacturers today don't stick their consumers with windows home basic. Even $300 emachines are comming with home premium. The fact that you are willing to shell out for a bigger badder netbook already shows the manufacturer that you are also willing to shell out for a bigger badder windows, and that sticking you with windows 7 starter edition would be a servere disservice to the power user interested in a high performance netbook. One that would be sorely remembered the next time that user went shopping for an upgrade.
Submitted by TheMurph on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 9:17pm
And what about when Microsoft says "Sorry, but only the following criteria of netbooks are allowed to run any version of Windows 7?"
That's exactly what they're doing with XP and Vista right now.
Submitted by mesiah on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 2:38am
I must have missed something. From what I read microsoft didn't say manufacturers can not run the software if they didn't meet requirements, only that they would not get the deep discount that they give to traditional netbooks. Since they dont advertise how much of a discount there is for netbooks as aposed to the normal manufacturer discount for a PC, I can't say how big of a hit manufacturers would take, but paying more for an upgraded OS shouldn't be a problem if they are already trying to market a higher end netbook. The whole reason for microsoft doing this is to stop manufacturers from flooding the PC market with cheap junk netbooks and nettops disguised as a standard pc or laptop. If manufacturers want to do that, they are going to have to use linux, or intels new OS.
Submitted by TheMurph on Fri, 05/29/2009 - 9:37am
"Microsoft has settled on a 12.1-inch maximum screen size for Windows XP and Windows Vista-based OEM netbooks. The storage capacity limit for netbooks with hard drives sits at 160 GB, nearly two-thirds less than those for Windows 7 netbooks. Solid-state drives cannot run any larger than 32 GB. The same processor restrictions are in place as before--single-core CPUs running at a frequency of 1 GHz or less--although Microsoft has carved out a number of exceptions to the rule (including a swath of Intel Atom processors). Touchscreen netbooks are alright so long as they only operate using resistive touch technologies."
I agree. If you're buying a
Submitted by theplustwo on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 12:22pm
I agree. If you're buying a higher-end netbook (with a screen over 10 inches and a processor faster than 2ghz) you're in the "high end" of the product spectrum, and probably want to be running a full-fledged version of Windows anyway.
Also, they're removing the 3 app limit for Windows 7 Starter.
Submitted by blaklafter on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 12:02pm
"The more you tighten your grip... the more star systems will slip through your fingers."
One step forward, two steps
Submitted by Denis63 on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 12:00pm
One step forward, two steps back, eh? -Denis
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