Microsoft answers Windows 7 netbook question

Microsoft announced that there would be six editions of Windows 7, though the company would only be pushing Home Premium and Professional in retail stores and via marketing. The question of how Microsoft would be handling the netbook market trend has come up more than once ever since Vista's successor was announced.

Brad Brooks, corporate vice president for Windows Consumer Product Marketing, claims that Windows 7 has a smaller OS footprint, faster boot-up and shut-down times, improved power management for enhanced battery life, and other improvements that will make it possible for all Windows 7 editions to run on netbooks.

"These engineering investments allow small notebook PCs to run any version of Windows 7, and allow customers complete flexibility to purchase a system which meets their needs," said Brooks in a statement. "For OEMs that build lower-cost small notebook PCs, Windows 7 Starter will now be available in developed markets. For the most enhanced, full-functioning Windows experience on small notebook PCs, however, consumers will want to go with Windows 7 Home Premium, which lets you get the most out of your digital media and easily connect with other PCs."

In other words, Microsoft is saying that any edition of Windows 7 will work on netbooks. It all depends on what the OEM will be offering. For example, if you can get Windows 7 Starter Edition on your netbook, you could later on move up (using Windows Anytime Upgrade) to whatever version you like (remember, every Windows 7 edition is a superset of the previous one).

Alternatively, you could just start off with a higher-end edition like Ultimate, assuming the OEM offers it for the netbook you want to buy. It looks like many will be doing a lot of price calculating to figure out which route is cheaper.