Should I get Home Premium?

groundzero · 22 Jun 2010

Hello all,
I'm purchasing a new Dell Studio XPS laptop this week, but I'm on a slight budget. When configuring my laptop i was asked if I wanted to upgrade to windows 7 ultimate for an extra $200. I am considering going with the basic windows 7 home premium. Is home premium a lot different from ultimate? is it worth getting ultimate in my situation? Please advise. Not a gamer, just like to browse the net, download movies and music and a little bit of photoshop editing. I also don't need that language pack ultimate comes with.

Thanks!

pparks1 · 22 Jun 2010

Save yourself the $200. Ultimate adds features that you likely really won't use or want. Like Bitlocker, Remote Desktop, and the Language Pack.

If you need some encryption on the machine, look into TrueCrypt as a free replacement.

sygnus21 · 22 Jun 2010

Though I have Windows 7 Ultimate, I have to agree with pparks1. I've yet to use any of the added features and probably never will. Well...actually I do use remote desktop but....

For me, the thought of having my OS missing those features when they were available to others was enough to spur me into getting Ultimate. Getting it for less than Pro didn't hurt either :)

Have a look at this... Compare Windows 7 Editions then decide.

DeaconFrost · 22 Jun 2010

The answer to this is the same every single time it is asked on every single computing forum online. We don't know. You know what your specific needs are, so just pull up any one of the many feature comparison charts and then decide based on those needs. There may be something specific you need (although in this case it doesn't seem so). This question is like walking into an ice cream shop and asking others what you should get. All we can do is tell you what we like/use...but that doesn't mean it is the right fit for you.

On a side note, $200 extra for Ultimate seems like a waste of money even if you did need those features. I've seen Ultimate for less than $200 by itself.

The Howling Wolves · 22 Jun 2010

I faced the same ? you have....which one. I got Home Premium
I read the comparison like sygnus has posted.
As DeaconFrost stated we don't know what your needs are!
Do you homework and review and based on your finances choose the one that fits YOU!
Good luck in selecting and you love Win 7 and more importantly, you would love Win 7 Forum.

sygnus21 · 22 Jun 2010

Yeah $200 dollars "exra" sounds like they're trting to rip you off. I was under the impression the laptop manufactures were letting users of Windows 7 update to the next level for less than that. WOW

pparks1 · 22 Jun 2010

Get Home Premium on the machine...then use the $200 saved to buy yourself a 1 year Technet standard subscription for $199. Then you not only have access to Ultimate if you want it later, but you also get Office.

The Howling Wolves · 22 Jun 2010

Get Home Premium and get Office.org free as well.
Just do it!

sygnus21 · 22 Jun 2010

pparks1 said:

Get Home Premium on the machine...then use the $200 saved to buy yourself a 1 year Technet standard subscription for $199. Then you not only have access to Ultimate if you want it later, but you also get Office.

Are you sure you can get both Windows 7 upgrades and Office 2010??? And What Version of Office are you getting???

Shucks for $200 dollars I'll just get Office 2010 Pro seeing that I don't need Win 7

pparks1 · 22 Jun 2010

sygnus21 said:

pparks1 said:

Get Home Premium on the machine...then use the $200 saved to buy yourself a 1 year Technet standard subscription for $199. Then you not only have access to Ultimate if you want it later, but you also get Office.

Are you sure you can get both Windows 7 upgrades and Office 2010??? And What Version of Office are you getting???

Shucks for $200 dollars I'll just get Office 2010 Pro seeing that I don't need Win 7

You don't get upgrades...you get the full retail versions. You get XP, Vista, Windows 7, the server products (2003 and 2008), Office 2003, Office 2007, Office 2010....all of the various versions. I think you get 10 licenses for each product with multiple activations.