Delivering only the most basic computing experience

Jan 27, 2007 11:45 GMT  ·  By

Windows Vista Starter Edition will be available concomitantly with the other eight editions of the operating system on January 30, 2007. Windows Vista Starter has been designed to address developing markets. Microsoft has announced that Vista Starter will not be made available in the United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, or other high income markets around the world. Microsoft will deliver Vista Starter in no less than 119 emerging markets worldwide.

With Vista Starter, the Redmond Company repeats an initiative from 2004 that involved Windows XP. Similar to Windows XP Starter Edition, Vista Starter edition is designed to run with very low system resources, and is also a stripped down version of Windows Vista Home Basic.

While building Vista Starter, Microsoft has received feedback from the governments of emerging countries around the world. The end purpose of Vista starter is to enable access to technology even for the people of emerging countries.

"Designed for first-time PC users, Windows Vista Starter is easy to learn and includes help features tailored to beginner users. Maintaining the goal of making technology accessible to customers in emerging markets, Windows Vista Starter offers a basic set of features targeted to beginner users at a price that fits their budget. Windows Vista Starter will be available at an affordable price from OEM and system builder partners, and through government-sponsored programs," reads Microsoft's description of the product.

Windows Vista Starter will deliver only the most basic computing experience. In this regard, the highest contrast is with the Vista Ultimate edition that is the high-end version of the operating system at $399, but promises to offer the complete Vista experience.