Microsoft Officially Lifts 3-App Limit on Windows 7 Starter Edition, Would You Get It Now?

We heard the reports last week, but now Microsoft has gone ahead and made an official announcement on the Windows Blog: Windows 7 Starter Edition will no longer limit users to three open applications at one time. This was a huge complaint for many customers, and Microsoft believes that this change will now be “an even more attractive option for customers who want a small notebook PC for very basic tasks, like browsing the web, checking email and personal productivity.” On the other hand, a bunch of limitations remain in tact, including the very odd inability to customize your desktop. This is something we asked Microsoft about last week. Here’s a summary of what you don’t get in Starter Edition.

• Aero Glass, meaning you can only use the “Windows Basic” or other opaque themes. It also means you do not get Taskbar Previews or Aero Peek.
• Personalization features for changing desktop backgrounds, window colors, or sound schemes.
• The ability to switch between users without having to log off.
• Multi-monitor support.
• DVD playback.
• Windows Media Center for watching recorded TV or other media.
• Remote Media Streaming for streaming your music, videos, and recorded TV from your home computer.
• Domain support for business customers.
• XP Mode for those that want the ability to run older Windows XP programs on Windows 7.

I think most netbook users couldn’t care less about things like DVD playback (netbooks don’t have optical drives) and XP Mode and domain support. Even Media Center isn’t all that necessary (it’s not like you’re going to use your Aspire One to record TV). What I do think netbook users will care about is a more basic user interface. I especially like the taskbar previews in Windows 7. I personally don’t care too much about being able to tweak the desktop, but I know a lot of people who do. Being able stream media from another PC is just a nice bonus, as far as I’m concerned. Although we don’t know how much more the Premium or Ultimate versions of Windows 7 will cost edition will cost for end users or netbook makers, I would probably use it now that the three-app max is off the table. How about you? Sound off in the poll.