Microsoft downloads Windows 7

Microsoft today launched its new operating system (OS), ‘Windows 7’, with a host of tools for multimedia applications for business and retail customers. The much-awaited Windows 7 promises significant improvement in productivity levels, enhanced security, reduced risk and manageability costs.

Windows 7 is available in six editions, targeted at specific user groups. The estimated retail price of Windows ‘home basic’ edition is Rs 5,899 while the ‘starter edition’ is available only through the OEM channel and not through retail. The Ultimate edition is priced at Rs 11,000. The two primary editions are: Windows 7 Home Premium for home consumers and Windows 7 Professional for small and medium sized businesses. Also available in the line-up are Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic (in Emerging Markets only), Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows 7 Ultimate.

“The pricing for Windows 7 has reduced in the range of 25-35 per cent over Windows Vista. More than 1,000 enterprises in India are currently deploying Windows 7. It is available at more than 45,000 retailers around the world and in India, all 16 personal computer (PC) manufacturers will bring in more than 100 different products within 30 days from today. A user can save about Rs 500-Rs 800 per desktop in terms of security features and power usage,” said Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman - Microsoft India, while addressing journalists here today.

“With features such as Aero Shake, Peek, Snap, Jump Lists and a redesigned Windows Taskbar, one can do more with photos, music, movies and videos. There are innovative new features like HomeGroup, Play To, Windows Live Movie Maker and Remote Media Streaming in Windows 7. Direct access and location aware printing are the other unique features as we have integrated Windows 7 with the Microsoft Cloud,” he added.

Personal Computer (PC) makers like Dell, HCL Infosystems, Acer and Hewlett Packard have started shipping Windows pre-loaded PCs and notebook computers from today. HP India will retail Windows 7-preloaded PCs at between Rs 27,990 and Rs 90,000, while Acer PCs with Windows 7 OS will be priced between Rs 15,000 and Rs 35,000. “Acer notebooks with the new OS will be priced at Rs 21,000-70,000,” said Chief Sales Officer Harish Kohli.
 

A correction
A free upgrade to Windows 7 will be available to all consumers who purchased their personal computers after June 26, 2009 and not before that date as wrongly stated in our report on the launch of the new operating system yesterday. The error is regretted.