Wal-Mart: Microsoft should kill Vista Home Basic

[Boeing 787]

http://blogs.computerworld.com/wal_mart_mi...ista_home_basic

You may think of Wal-Mart as a down-market PC seller, but as emails in the Vista "junk PC" case show, Wal-Mart was furious at Microsoft's Vista Capable scheme, and thought that Vista Home Basic never should have been developed, much less released. They're not alone. Other retailers, notably Office Depot, thought Vista Home Basic should have been killed.

The Basic version did not make sense especially since they were pushing Aero and Flip 3D.

[sundayx Veteran]

Who isn't furious about Microsoft's marketing.

[Mr. Gibs]

Well i honestly don't think theres anything wrong with vistas marketing.

Capable does not mean it can run every feature. It means that something will run but without any optional features.

Ready means that it can run every feature. [Though this is slightly ambiguous]

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I really do not see how people expect capable to mean it can run everything....for the "Vista Ready" thing maybe if they wrote windows vista home premium ready or something i guess.

[Rebdomine]

Who isn't furious about Microsoft's marketing.

[Miuku.]

And once again - why was there so many versions of Vista. They should've just sold 2 versions, one for business users and one for home/gamers.

Bring on the "oh but it's cheaper for the customer.." no, they should've kept the prices low in the first place but good old greed has priority.

[Danrarbc]

And once again - why was there so many versions of Vista. They should've just sold 2 versions, one for business users and one for home/gamers.

Bring on the "oh but it's cheaper for the customer.." no, they should've kept the prices low in the first place but good old greed has priority.

Three versions would have even been fine even, Ultimate still has a place I think. Combining the home and business features into one edition.

[jwjw1]

Well i honestly don't think theres anything wrong with vistas marketing.

Capable does not mean it can run every feature. It means that something will run but without any optional features.

Ready means that it can run every feature. [Though this is slightly ambiguous]

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I really do not see how people expect capable to mean it can run everything....for the "Vista Ready" thing maybe if they wrote windows vista home premium ready or something i guess.

actually?...some might have gotten the computer with XP..and 'Capable' meant it could run Vista, if you decide to purchase it or upgrade.....however, it seems MS meant 'Capable' meant after you spend another 800.00 for hardware upgrades....

Gates dethroned; Buffett is richest (thats what happens when you leave MS with shysters)..I'm sure the EU will be adding another Billion to its Revised Fine....LOL

Edited March 6, 2008 by jwjw1

[mattmatik]

Well i honestly don't think theres anything wrong with vistas marketing.

Capable does not mean it can run every feature. It means that something will run but without any optional features.

Ready means that it can run every feature. [Though this is slightly ambiguous]

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I really do not see how people expect capable to mean it can run everything....for the "Vista Ready" thing maybe if they wrote windows vista home premium ready or something i guess.

The problem is the average Joe doesn't want to (and shouldn't have to, for that matter) go shopping for a computer and wade through the pile of crap that this has led to. If Microsoft is going to force Vista onto computers sold in Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc. then they should make sure the damn thing runs at it's fullest. Period.

By the way, where did you come up with the definitions of capable and ready? As far as I know, Microsoft never defined it in those terms. You can't just assume thousands of other people look at something the way you do.

[Pc_Madness]

So if they didn't want Home Basic, why didn't they just refuse to sell it?

[Lasker]

So if they didn't want Home Basic, why didn't they just refuse to sell it?

I was thinking the samething

[+mrbester MVC]

So if they didn't want Home Basic, why didn't they just refuse to sell it?

Probably because they didn't realise how rubbish it is at the time "ooh! new interface! more secure! runs merrily on 1GB RAM... oh wait"

[rtk]

Gates dethroned; Buffett is richest (thats what happens when you leave MS with shysters)..I'm sure the EU will be adding another Billion to its Revised Fine....LOL

Yeah, he's practically a pauper, only 58 billion and ONLY 2 billion more than last year.

Considering this is just his personal wealth, the EU fine is basically the change that drops out of his pocket in between the cushions on the couch. Add another 2 billion to the fine, ultimately it'll just be the EU consumer's who pay it.

[spacer]

This whole problem stemmed from Vista itself, not its marketing. There should only be one version of Vista, not half a dozen.

[Mr. Gibs]

The problem is the average Joe doesn't want to (and shouldn't have to, for that matter) go shopping for a computer and wade through the pile of crap that this has led to. If Microsoft is going to force Vista onto computers sold in Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc. then they should make sure the damn thing runs at it's fullest. Period.

By the way, where did you come up with the definitions of capable and ready? As far as I know, Microsoft never defined it in those terms. You can't just assume thousands of other people look at something the way you do.

It's called english lol. and also heres from microsoft's website:

What is a Windows Vista Capable PC?

A new PC running Windows XP that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo can run Windows Vista. All editions of Windows Vista will deliver core experiences such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run these core experiences at a minimum. Some features available in the premium editions of Windows Vista?like the new Windows Aero user experience?may require advanced or additional hardwareWindows Vista Premium Ready PCs

Some Windows Vista Capable PCs have been designated Premium Ready. These PCs will provide an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero user experience. Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware.

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All Windows Vista Capable PCs will be able to run at least the core experiences of Windows Vista.

All Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs can deliver even better Windows Vista experiences, including the new Windows Aero user experience.

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Source: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/...de/capable.mspx

[BoDEAN]

The real question should be what idiot or idiots actually BOUGHT home basic.

[MulletRobZ]

The Home Basic version should have replaced the Starter Edition and be used only in emerging markets such as China and India. The well established markets should have had only one edition (maybe two to separate home and business), with all capabilities functional and may be deactivated by the user at its discretion.

[markwolfe Veteran]

So if they didn't want Home Basic, why didn't they just refuse to sell it?

Because their competitors would still be able to sell lower-spec computers with the (presumably) less expensive Vista version.

In short, they would be placing their products at a higher price point then their competitors. Bad for them, so they want to "force" the others to also stop selling less expensive PCs.

The real question should be what idiot or idiots actually BOUGHT home basic.

Me. I'm not an idiot. The PC was purchased as an inexpensive PC for our 7 year old's birthday.

There is a market for less expensive OSes, you know. Not everyone wanting one is an "idiot".

[Mr. Gibs]

The real question should be what idiot or idiots actually BOUGHT home basic

Quite a lot. Businesses don't need computers that can run Aero for one. So theres no point in buying an OS that is designed for entertainment, even though there is Vista Business that seems to be more aimed towards laptops. Therefore, Home basic is generally what an office user would need.

[markwolfe Veteran]

It's called english lol. and also heres from microsoft's website:

What is a Windows Vista Capable PC?

A new PC running Windows XP that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo can run Windows Vista. All editions of Windows Vista will deliver core experiences such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run these core experiences at a minimum. Some features available in the premium editions of Windows Vista?like the new Windows Aero user experience?may require advanced or additional hardware.

I understand English, too. What does that last sentence say? Nothing. It uses the word "may" which is ambiguous. It may mean that Aero will run. It may mean Aero won't?

What can you conclude from that? Nada.

[Linkinfamous]

Quite a lot. Businesses don't need computers that can run Aero for one. So theres no point in buying an OS that is designed for entertainment, even though there is Vista Business that seems to be more aimed towards laptops. Therefore, Home basic is generally what an office user would need.

Home can't connect to a domain. It's useless in a business enviornment.

[theyarecomingforyou]

It's called english lol. and also heres from microsoft's website:

What is a Windows Vista Capable PC?

A new PC running Windows XP that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo can run Windows Vista. All editions of Windows Vista will deliver core experiences such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run these core experiences at a minimum. Some features available in the premium editions of Windows Vista—like the new Windows Aero user experience—may require advanced or additional hardware.

Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs

Some Windows Vista Capable PCs have been designated Premium Ready. These PCs will provide an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero user experience. Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware.

My understanding is that the information now available was only added after all the confusion. It's all very well saying it's very clear now but it wasn't back when the initiative was first launched. Also, Aero was pretty much THE main feature of Vista and to find it wasn't available on Home Basic annoyed a lot of people. The Home Basic package was completely unnecessary and should never have been released.

[Mr. Gibs]

Home can't connect to a domain. It's useless in a business enviornment.

Hm ok i didn't know that =/

[Ayepecks]

I completely agree that Vista should start at Premium.

[markwolfe Veteran]

"Start at Premium"? Is that like how Starbucks coffee starts as "tall" for their smallest glass?

[M118LR]

There is only one version of Vista that doesn't match up to XP and that is Ultimate.

XP Home = Vista Home Basic

XP MCE = Vista Home Premium

XP Pro = Vista Business

Has there ever been a push by Wal-Mart to not sell XP Home NO. Nor any other company for that matter. Vista Home Basic is equal to XP Home.

Vista Home Basic is not stipped down, but rather MSFT starts will Home Basic and adds to it to make Home Premium, Business, and Ultimate. They all use the same Kernel.