Microsoft to expand number of Windows 10 SKUs for partners

[HEXUS]

OEMs will buy Entry, Value, Core, Core+, or Advanced SKUs depending on PC specs.

Read more.

[aniilv]

The more reason to not use it and buy oem computers outside uk where they don't require you to also buy windows.

[ET3D]

What's not clear to me is what Windows 10 Pro S actually means, considering that all versions mentioned are said to be Home S. If this simply means that any bundled Windows 10 (Home S) version can be upgraded to Pro for $50, then that's certainly a nice improvement over the current state.

The more reason to not use it and buy oem computers outside uk where they don't require you to also buy windows.

Why? I mean, if you don't want Windows, then why is this 'more reason'? If you do want Windows, then it should still end up being a better deal than buying a laptop without Windows and installing it.

[Corky34]

Unless I've got myself totally confused it doesn't seem like these SKU are going to be what OEMs install, aren't they going to install Windows 10 Home or Pro in S mode and leave it up to customers if they want to upgrade to these SKUs? At least that's what i took away from reading this sentence.

Instead, what they will be doing is offering S mode for all iterations of Windows 10

[shaithis]

Didn't MS just reduce the number of SKUs as it was too confusing?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Microsoft...confusing its own userbase since 1975.

[Iota]

What's not clear to me is what Windows 10 Pro S actually means, considering that all versions mentioned are said to be Home S. If this simply means that any bundled Windows 10 (Home S) version can be upgraded to Pro for $50, then that's certainly a nice improvement over the current state.

Wasn't the "S" denominating being tied to applications from the Windows Store only, with no ability to install third party software directly? Also isn't the upgrade from "S" to full currently free? If so that means that not only will users be tied directly into using the Windows Store, if they want to install any other software they have to now pay an extra amount to unlock the full version of Windows?

That isn't an improvement from where I'm sat.

[Ozaron]

Wasn't the "S" denominating being tied to applications from the Windows Store only, with no ability to install third party software directly? Also isn't the upgrade from "S" to full currently free? If so that means that not only will users be tied directly into using the Windows Store, if they wan't to install any other software they have to now pay an extra amount to unlock the full version of Windows?

That isn't an improvement from where I'm sat.

1: Create a version of your popular OS that is subjectively, and at time of writing objectively, worse.
2: Pretend it is only for ultra mobile, permanently networked low-storage devices and acts as a safety feature. (Student netbooks, dumb terminal type machines)
3: Roll it out to every new non-business customer.
4: Charge noticable money to let the customers have the full version they used to get anyway.
5: Profit.
6: Come up with a new, more invasive way to kill 3rd party applications with their own distribution and lock people into Windows Store.
7: Repeat.

[Xlucine]

Entry ($25): Intel Atom/Celeron/Pentium ≤ 4GB RAM & ≤ 32GB SSD AND ≤ 14.1” screen size (NB), ≤ 11.6” (2in1, Tablet), ≥ 17” AiO
Value ($45): Intel Atom/Celeron/Pentium ≤ 4GB RAM & ≤64GB SSD & ≤ 14.1” screen size (EM ≤ 4GB RAM & ≤64GB SSD or ≤ 500GB HDD)
Core ($65.45): Cannot be used on devices that meet the Core+ and Advanced SKU Hardware Specifications
Core + ($86.66): High end CPU and >4 GB RAM (All Form Factors) ≥8 GB RAM & ≥1080p screen resolution (NB, 2in1, AiO) >8 GB RAM & ≥2TB HDD or SSD storage (Desktop)
Advanced ($101): Intel Core i9 (any configuration) OR Core i7 ≥ 6 Cores (any RAM) OR AMD Threadripper(any configuration) OR Intel Core i7 >16GB (any Cores) or AMD FX/ Ryzen7 >16GB (any Cores) OR ≥ 4K screen resolution (any processor, includes 4K UHD-3840 resolution.

1) so if entry and value cover up to pentium, and advanced is i7's (but not mobile i7's), what's the difference between core and core+? i3/R3 Vs i5/R5?
2) Who on earth would still buy an FX processor in this day and age, and why is MS charging them extra for their "premium machine"?

[Wozza63]

Only SKU I want on every machine is LTSB. None of the Win10 crap.

[DanceswithUnix]

Microsoft...confusing its own userbase since 1975.

Ah but we all know they are aiming for a service model, so if you want to remain confused then at some point you will have to pay £10 per month for confusion as a service, just mark my words

Actually I think that all makes sense, but then I am tying this on a Linux box so I largely have the luxury of disinterest.

Edit:

Advanced ($101): Intel Core i9 (any configuration) OR Core i7 ≥ 6 Cores (any RAM) OR AMD Threadripper(any configuration) OR Intel Core i7 >16GB (any Cores) or AMD FX/ Ryzen7 >16GB (any Cores) OR ≥ 4K screen resolution (any processor, includes 4K UHD-3840 resolution.

Yay, my old FX8350 machine is "Advanced", despite a modern i3 giving it a run for its money (and the i3 costs more).

[Millennium]

I read on google home page just now on my phone that MS is dropping Windows S ...

http://indianexpress.com/article/tec...eport-5051056/

so maybe things won't be quite as bad as I previously thought heh!

[albert89]

M$ should keep the one fluid OS that can detect any kind of hardware and fix it using telemetry.
This SKU crap makes me wanna puke.

[peterb]

M$ should keep the one fluid OS that can detect any kind of hardware and fix it using telemetry.
This SKU crap makes me wanna puke.

Welcome to HEXUS.

Sorry to hear you have such a sensitive stomach!

(You seem to have a problem with the S key on your keyboard too!